Page 67 of Taken By the Fae King

Grayce’s eyes brighten with tears. “I see your pain,” she replies solemnly in Orcish. “May the goddess guide them to the lands beyond all suffering.”

The Orc scout dips his chin in acknowledgment before he continues. “The monster I encountered. It took the shape of the man who slaughtered my mother. When I fought it, it turned back into a Wraith.”

“How did you defeat it?” she asks.

“They are still susceptible to fire, magic, and blade.” He clenches his jaw. “But you must first free your mind from their illusions meant to disarm you. Any who are unable to resist are drained of their life force.” He shakes his head. “And some are even drained of their blood.”

Arokh steps forward. “Somehow, they are crossing the Great Wall, and they are killing the forest, feeding upon the energy of living things to fuel their dark magic. They must be stopped before they devour everything like they have in the Wastelands beyond the Wall.”

“The Wall is intact,” I tell him. “If any portion of it had fallen or if the magic was not holding, my warriors at Corduin would know.”

“Would they, Fae King?” He arches a brow. “Are you so certain of that?”

“What are you suggesting?” I ask sharply. I’m in no mood for subterfuge or games. “Speak plainly, Orc.”

His gaze shifts back to Grayce. “Your people were once allies, but are now enemies of the Order of Mages. And from what we have heard, the Mages are controlling the Wraith.” He clenches his jaw. “Mages are powerful beings.

“My people believe it was their dark magic that created the Wraith. That same power was used to strengthen the Great Wall to contain them. But now they have decided to use the Wraith as weapons. It would not be hard for them to create a weakness in the very Wall they helped fortify.”

“I believe he’s right.” Grayce turns to me. “The Wraith attacks along the borders of Anlora, Ithylian, and Florin… they are not random. Like the ones in the Dark Forest, near Corduin, they are meant to distract us. To divide us. To keep our attention while the Mages amass a bigger army.”

Arokh’s gaze darts to Kyven before he turns back to me. “There are rumors that the time of the Sanishon has come. That the prophecy of the Great Uniters is unfolding even now.”

“Did you come here for talks of peace or to speak of a prophecy that may be little more than myth?” I challenge.

“How can you not believe?” Arokh gestures to Grayce. “Your mate is the Sanishon queen of the Fae, her sister is Sanishon queen of the Dark Elves, and I’ve heard rumors the Great Dragon King Aurdyn of the Ice Mountains has taken a human mate as well.” His brow furrows deeply. “The Great Uniters will stand against those who seek to control the darkness. Can you not see that the prophecy is speaking of the Mages seeking to control the Wraith?”

Arokh meets my gaze evenly. “I would not be here, standing before you and asking to ally ourselves against a common enemy if not for your queen.” He allows his gaze to sweep over the crowd. “Your people have the Ancient Tomes of the Lythyrian in your Great Library. If you doubt my words, why not investigate them yourselves?”

“Why is it so important?” I ask.

“Because if the prophecy is coming to pass that means there will be war before we have peace.” He glances over his shoulder at his men. “And I would do whatever it takes to minimize the losses of my people when that war comes. Including allying myself with a former enemy,” he says pointedly. “My people have the magic of earth and of stone. Your powers are of nature and living things. If we had access to inspect the Great Wall, we could find what it is that your people may have missed.” His storm gray eyes meet mine. “What say you?”

While I am loath to admit any belief in the prophecy, an alliance is preferable to being enemies. Grayce’s gaze drops to the dagger at my belt, and I understand what she is trying to tell me.

I pull the blade free and drag the sharp edge across my palm, just enough to make it bleed. I hold my closed fist over the blood the Orc and Grayce left on the floor between us and allow it to drip in the same spot.

I study him. “We will meet to draw up a treaty and—”

“Orcs do not make alliances with paper.” Arokh’s eyes drop to the blood on the floor, and his lips twitch slightly in the approximation of a smile. “We make them with blood, Fae King,” he states firmly.

He glances back at his men. Each of them thumps their fists to their chests as their gazes fix upon me and Grayce. Arokh steps forward. “From this day forward, we are brothers of blood, and axe, sword and shield,” he says in Orcish.

Grayce and I exchange a glance and we both nod. Together, we repeat the words in the language of his people.

CHAPTER37

KYVEN

It is difficult to host the Orcs, even if it is only for a night. They are so loud and boisterous, I’m sure the entire city can hear their revelry here in the palace dining hall.

Arokh slams his goblet of wine on the table and stands with a great roar. His warriors answer in kind, and he gives another rousing speech about destroying the Mages and the Wraith.

I do not miss the way he keeps eyeing my A’lyra, and it is difficult to push down my agitation. She is mine. Curling my wing possessively around her side, I pull her closer to me.

Arokh walks to our table and claps a meaty hand on Aren’s shoulder. Of all my warriors, Aren is the one they respect most. It seems that tales of his bravery from when he served on the Great Wall reached even their ears.

The Orc King turns his attention to Grayce. “I would ask you a question, Brave One, if you will permit.”

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