Page 118 of The Orc's Captive Bride
“You’re human. You need more sleep than I do.”
“That’s a terrible argument and you know it.”
His mouth twitched. Almost a smile. “Maybe.”
She kissed him. Soft. Sweet. Just because she could.
He responded immediately, one large hand cupping the back of her head as he deepened the kiss.
Yes. This. Always this.
The bond sang between them—two separate beings becoming something greater together.
She could have stayed like this forever, hidden from the world and protected from reality. But reality had a way of intruding whether she wanted it to or not.
She pulled back reluctantly. “We need to make plans.”
His expression shuttered, the softness vanishing behind familiar walls. “I know.”
“The full moon is—” She calculated quickly. “Two weeks away. Maybe a bit less.”
“That’s when Lasseran plans the ritual.”
“And that’s when we need to stop him.” She sat up and reached for her discarded shirt. “Which means I need to finish translating these texts and figure out exactly what he’s planning to do. And more importantly, how to reverse it.”
“Reverse it?”
“The curse.” She pulled the shirt over her head. Adjusted her glasses. “It’s not supposed to be a curse at all. It’s a blessing that’s been corrupted over generations. If we can restore the balance—if we can return the stolen power—we might be able to save the orcs of Norhaven.”
And him. Save him from the twisted legacy Lasseran had forced onto his people.
She didn’t say it aloud, but she didn’t need to.
His jaw tightened. “And you think you can do this? In two weeks?”
“I don’t know.” Honesty felt important. “I’ve never attempted anything like this before. But I have to try.”
“And if you fail?”
“Then Lasseran wins. He enslaves an entire kingdom. Turns them into mindless weapons. Uses them to conquer the rest of the Five Kingdoms.” She met his eyes. “That’s not an option.”
“No,” he said fiercely. “It’s not.”
He stood and started gathering their scattered belongings with efficient movements. “But you can’t translate ancient texts while running for your life. You need time, and protection.”
“Where are we going to find that? Lasseran will be looking for us.”
“I know.” His voice was grim. “Which is why we’re going to Norhaven.”
“I know that’s what you said, but are you sure you want to do that? Will they take us in?”
“I think they’ll let you in.” His voice went flat. “I’m a different matter.”
“Because you worked for Lasseran.”
“Because I’m everything they despise. A ‘tame’ orcs raised to serve a human master and trained to kill my own people if ordered.” His hands clenched. “I won’t be welcome there.”
The pain in his voice—the shame—made her chest ache.
