Page 13 of The Orc King's Bride

I see something like regret flash over his face. But then it’s gone, and he turns and walks away. The door closes behind him with a heavy thud, and I hear the key in the lock.

The silence in the room is only broken by the sounds of my own ragged breathing. If I’m going to escape, it has to be tonight. The guard shift change—that’s my window of opportunity.

I retrieve the pocket knife from under my pillow and begin to formulate a plan. I visualize my route out of the palace and through the garden. The multi-tool’s 3D map feature will help me with the rest.

I’ll slip out, sticking to the shadows and avoiding any main paths. I think I can find my way to the tall stone wall surrounding the kingdom.

But then what?

Exiting through the main gate is out of the question—the guards will never let me pass. The perimeter wall is high and regularly patrolled. If I’m going to scale it, I need to be fast.

Doubt creeps in. Scaling the wall will be impossible without climbing gear. And last time I checked, this suite was fresh out. But I do have the multi-tool. Maybe I could use it to make something.

Before I can explore that idea further, I hear a familiar chirp outside the window. Zephyr swoops into the room, clutching something in his talons. He drops the object in front of me with a proud trill, and I pick it up.

No fucking way.

It’s a five-prong grappling hook attached to a coil of rope. Perfect for repelling down the side of a building, retrieving keys dropped down a well…or scaling kingdom walls.

A slow smile spreads across my face. “Zephyr, how did you know this is exactly what I need?”

He chirps again and flies around in circles before landing on the dining table. I know what that means and fill my empty plate with a variety of foods from the cold buffet table.

“Enjoy your dinner, little guy,” I whisper as I put the plate in front of him. “You’ve earned it. Now I’ve got the tools I need to make a break for it.”

Freedom, here I come.

Chapter 13

Dexari

My encounterwith Sloane left me unsettled. The echo of her voice choosing the dungeon over me, the defiance in her eyes—it all lingers, muddling my thoughts and emotions.

I open a communications channel to Gorlag. “Meet me in my private quarters. I need an update on Sloane's impendingescape.”

Each detail of the plan has been chosen with precision, the overall strategy worthy of a king. The pieces should be falling into place, yet I wish to hear this directly from Gorlag. Sloane will make her move to escape tonight, I am sure of it, and I am eager to ensure that nothing stops her.

Yet when I enter my quarters, I am met with an unexpected obstacle. My parents, Paxari and Denari, are inside waiting for me.

The sight of them lounging in my private space, unbidden, angers me. When I speak, the irritation is clear in my voice. “I am meeting with Gorlag. Whatever you wish to discuss will have to wait.”

My father dismisses my words with a wave of his hand, a gesture so casual it borders on disrespect. “This is important, Dexari,” he says, his tone imbued with the authority he no longer holds.

He still feels entitled to wield his influence, to overshadow my rule with his. Ari is my kingdom now, and I will not be cast into his shadow any longer. Before I confront him about this, Gorlag arrives, his presence a temporary reprieve from the tension simmering between us.

I turn my focus to the task at hand. “Is the disturbance set in place?” I ask, my voice returning to its measured, commanding tone.

Gorlag nods, yet his hesitation to speak freely with my parents in the room does not go unnoticed. “Everything is ready, sire.”

Satisfaction hums through me. “Speak your mind, Gorlag.”

“Are you sure you wish to let the female prisoner escape?” he asks.

“You are letting the breeding slavego?” My father bolts to his feet. “Have you lost your mind?”

His rebuke is unacceptable, and I close the distance between us. “Donotforget who you are speaking to, Father.” I reply. “My rule is absolute, my decisions final.”

“You are weak.” My father’s eyes flash with disdain. “What kind of king jeopardizes the future of his rule by releasing such a valuable asset?”

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