Page 125 of The Orc's Captive Bride
The curse had been a blessing once. Maybe the magic behind it still remembered. Maybe it was trying to restore itself. And maybe Thea was the key to letting it.
Or you’re losing your mind from exhaustion and fear.
The path wound upwards around the mountain, following contours invisible from below.
And there—far beneath them—the Fanged Gate and the massed armies. All of it visible from above. All of it bypassed.
“The dream was real.” Her voice was filled with wonder.
“How?”
“I don’t know. But we can worry about the metaphysics later. Right now, let’s just cross over into Norhaven.”
As practical as always.
He mounted, and pulled her up in front of him, then put his arms around her so he could keep his hands on Courage’s reins. The path was stable but narrow. One wrong step and they’d plummet.
But Courage continued her steady climb, sure-footed despite the treacherous terrain, and he focused on guiding her and keeping them safe. Trying not to think about what came next.
Because getting past the armies was only the first step. The hardest part was approaching Ulric, King of Norhaven, and praying that the other male saw him as something more than the orc who had kidnapped his queen.
Because if he doesn’t, he’ll kill me. Slowly if he’s feeling merciful. Painfully if he’s not.
But at least Thea would be safe, and the scrolls would have reached someone who could use them. The curse might still be broken.
And maybe the scrolls and the knowledge Thea had uncovered would be enough to convince Ulric to help them. He’d find out soon enough.
The path crested and leveled out onto a high plateau. And in the distance, the second defensive perimeter of Norhaven’s forces, lanterns glowing against the encroaching dusk. They’d made it past Lasseran’s army and past the Fanged Gate.
Now came the hard part.
Please, if any gods are listening, let this work. Let Ulric hear us out before he kills me.
His Beast growled uneasily. It didn’t like approaching other orcs from a position of weakness. Didn’t like the vulnerability of asking for help instead of taking what they needed by force. Too bad. They were doing this the civilized way because that’s what Thea needed.
His Beast reluctantly subsided, trusting that he knew what was best for their mate, even when every instinct screamed otherwise.
He guided Courage slowly towards the encampment, trying to look non-threatening despite the weapons he carried and the human woman riding with him.
She tensed against him as she spotted the guards approaching. “Khorrek.”
“I know.”
“What do we do?”
“We keep going. Slowly. Hands visible. Making it clear we’re not a threat.”
“And then?”
“Then we hope they listen before they attack.”
Not reassuring, but honest.
He could feel her fear, but also her trust. Her absolute conviction that he’d keep her safe.
I’ll try. I’ll die trying if necessary.
They continued forward, Courage’s hooves loud against the stone, until a challenge rang out.
