Page 40 of Taken By the Fae King

To my great shock, he drops to one knee and bows his head low before her. “You have my most solemn vow, that I will not harm any of you if you free me.”

Grayce studies him a moment, and then turns to the guards. “Unchain him.”

Their heads whip from her to me, uncertain, while the Orc studies her warily.

I look at her, and she stares back at me with an unwavering expression, so I turn back to the men and give them a subtle nod.

Aren moves close to her side as the guards unchain the Orc.

She steps down from the dais, and I do the same. Magic arcs across my fingers like lightning, ready to end the Orc if he dares to threaten her in any way.

“What is your name?” she asks.

He straightens, tipping his chin up proudly. “I am Kurnag of Clan Urzal.”

“Hon’latu, ushatar,” Grayce speaks in Orcish, the words:“I see you, warrior.”

Surprise flits briefly across his stern expression before he answers, “Hon’latu, hurum’ash.” The Orcish words for“I see you, brave one.”

My mouth falls open as does several of my guards and warriors. She steps closer, and my heart hammers in my chest. He is right. She is brave to stand within arm’s reach of him, and it takes everything within me not to pull her behind me.

As if reading my mind, his gaze shifts to me over her shoulder and then drops to my hands, narrowing his eyes as magic crackles along my palm before he looks to her again.

“Why were you at the Great Wall?” she asks.

“Our Clan has encountered several rogue Wraith in the Dark Forest,” he says. “I was sent to scout the Wall; search for any signs of how they may be crossing… for any gaps in the barrier.”

“And what did you intend to do if you found any weakness?” she asks the question I want an answer to as well.

He raises his hand and a flicker of glowing white light travels across his palm, a small demonstration of his power. “I was tasked to repair it.”

Orcs have magic, like most Otherworldly beings, but theirs is able to tap into the earth, moving rock and stone much like the Dwarves are able to do.

“Is that all?” I challenge. “Your kind are known for raiding and pillaging, leaving behind destruction and ruin in your path. How do we know you were not a scout sent to spy on Corduin, searching for a way to invade?”

“You speak of other Clans,” he grinds out. “Ours is peaceful. We only seek to protect our people, just as you wish to protect yours.”

“I assume it was your Clan that pursued us in the Dark Forest.” I level a dark glare at him. “Why?”

“We were curious,” he explains. “We smelled a human female among you and wondered why that would be since it is well-known that your kind are enemies.”

“Not anymore,” Grayce interjects. “Our bonding has created an alliance between Florin and Anlora.” She looks back at me and then addresses him again. “You claim that you want peace and safety for your people.”

He nods.

“Deliver a message to your Clan leader,” she says. “Tell him that if he truly wants peace, to arrange a meeting to discuss it.”

“A meeting?” His head jerks back. “How do we know this would not be an elaborate trap meant to capture the Orc who would be our king if our home had not been destroyed?”

He speaks of the Ashkar Mountain and of King Arokh. A human kingdom invaded their mountain and set fire to everything, killing nearly half of their people, and scattering the Clans to the winds.

Anger tightens his jaw. “Since when have the Fae ever been interested in making peace with my people?”

Grayce moves to my side and takes my hand. “They made peace with mine, and we had been enemies with them far longer than yours have been.”

His gaze drops to our joined hands, his brow furrowed deeply. “I will deliver your message to King Arokh.” He dips his chin in a subtle bow to Grayce. “Or’vat, hurum’ash.”Farewell, brave one.

“Or’vat, ushatar.”Farewell, warrior.

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