Page 17 of The Orc's Captive Bride
Encouraged, she pointed at the sky. The trees. The mountains. Each time making that questioning sound, each time receiving a word in return. It was a small start, but it was a start.
CHAPTER SIX
Thea asked another question about the horse tack, and Khorrek shook his head at his own foolishness. Even after their very brief time together, he knew her curiosity was insatiable. Why had he even started to teach her his language?
Because it’s the only thing I can do for her.
The thought made him shift uncomfortably, but the movement only jostled her small body closer against his chest. Her scent, clean and sweet, filled his senses and his Beast let out a soft, rumbling purr.
Quiet.
But his Beast wasn’t interested in his commands. It was happy that she was close, safe in his arms.
She’s not safe, he reminded himself. Nothing about this was safe. Lasseran wanted her, and even if he didn’t know why, he doubted it was anything good. What did the High King have in store for her?
Don’t ask.
He tried himself to focus on the mission, but his Beast refused to be silent. It purred every time she shifted against him, and its contentment was a constant, irritating distraction.
He was a warrior, a weapon. His entire existence was built on a foundation of discipline and control. He didn’t purr. He didn’t get distracted. He didn’t feel… protective.
This is a problem.
A problem he couldn’t solve with a sword.
They stopped at midday in a small copse of trees with a stream cutting through it. He dismounted, then reached up for her. She let him lift her down, but her legs nearly buckled when her feet hit the ground.
“Ow. Ow ow ow. Who knew sitting on a horse for four hours could hurt so much?”
Her face was pale, and he put his hands on her waist to steady her.
“Are you all right?” he asked before he could catch himself.
“I’m fine,”she said, a word he was already beginning to recognize. He was pretty sure it meant she was uncomfortable, but she took a hesitant step away from him and he forced himself to let her go.
Doing his best to ignore his concern, he checked on his horse instead, checking his hooves and running his hands over his legs to check for any signs of strain.
I should do the same for her.
His Beast purred its approval at the thought of running his hands over that pale, soft skin, but he did his best to ignore it.Instead he unpacked some of their rations and, after a moment’s hesitation, added a strip of dried fruit to her portion.
He heard the cry a half second before his Beast roared.
Not a full cry, a muffled sound that even his enhanced senses barely caught, but it was enough.
Thea.
His vision darkened at the edges as the Curse swept over him. His blood sang with violence, ancient and primal, despite his efforts to control it.
I am not an animal.
But he was moving before his mind caught up. Three strides to clear the distance between the horses and the stream. Four more through the willow branches.
Thea on the ground with dirt on her face, and fear in her eyes.
Brennik looming over her, one hand over her mouth and his other hand tugging at her tunic.
His roar split the air, but he heard it as if from a distance as the Beast took control.
