Page 159 of The Orc's Captive Bride
“And now?”
“Now I’m sleeping on the ground. Riding until my thighs are raw. Terrified half the time.” She laughed. “And I’ve never been happier.”
“You’re insane.”
“Probably. But you’re stuck with me.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He kissed her again, soft and lingering, and the mate bond pulsed between them.
This. This is real.
Not the academic accolades or research breakthroughs she’d spent her life chasing, but the grass beneath them. The stars above them. The male holding her close.
“We should get back,” he said reluctantly, gently separating their bodies now that his knot had subsided. “You need proper rest before we reach the stone circle.”
“Five more minutes.”
“Thea—”
“Please. Just let me hold onto this a little longer.”
He sighed, but settled back down and pulled her closer.
“Five minutes. Then we’re going back.”
“Deal.”
She closed her eyes, breathed in his scent, and memorized this moment. Because soon they’d reach the stone circle and the real danger would begin.
But tonight?
Tonight she had this. She had him and she had hope.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Baralt moved like water flowing over stone.
Khorrek adjusted his stance and struck again. The practice blade whistled through air, missing by inches.
Baralt laughed, musical and infuriating.
“Too slow, orc. You think like earth. Heavy. Predictable.”
“Earth endures.” He circled patiently. “Water evaporates.”
“Philosophy won’t save you.”
Baralt struck. Three rapid attacks from different angles. Khorrek blocked the first two, and twisted away from the third. He was getting better, learning their patterns.
Two days of riding alongside the Windrunners had taught him more about their fighting style than months of observation would have. They favored speed over power, precision over brute force. It was different from everything he’d been trained to do, but it was dangerously effective.
“Again,” he demanded.
Baralt grinned, all teeth and feral amusement.
They’d developed a routine over the past two days. Hard riding until the sun began to set, quick efficient camps, training by firelight, and then stories. Tales shared between warriors.
