Page 25 of Bound to the Orc Ranger

“I’m his moon bound bride.”

Her eyes widen, and I brace, not knowing what to expect. Then she lets out a huge belly laugh and swoops me off the unicorn. “A bride! My son has a moon bound bride!”

I grin in relief as she crushes me to her in a hug.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Rovann

The first thing I notice as I drift up from the realm of twilight is the sound of voices from another room. My mother says something, and Olivia laughs, Gerna and Krivoth joining in. It’s the most beautiful sound in the world, telling me my bride is hale and whole and happy. Even if my moon bound wants nothing to do with me, she’s already finding a place in the clan.

“You’re awake, so open your eyes already,” Dravarr says, his voice gruff like it gets when he’s worried.

I’m in my own bed, the whorled wood of the heart tree around me as familiar as my own fingerprints. The windows are dark, with the shutters closed for the night. A glow stone lights the room with a soft glow, gilding the rich brown furs covering the bed with highlights of gold.

My brother leans forward in the chair he’s placed at my bedside.

“Hurtle?” I ask.

“He’s fine.”

“Good. That’s good.” I’d expected as much upon hearing Olivia’s laugh—her kind heart wouldn’t have allowed her such joy in a time of sadness. “How long have I been out for?”

“Too long,” he grumps, then adds, “Two days.”

I press a hand to my side. It aches, but nothing more. “I’d have thought the healing coma held me for longer based on how good I feel.”

“Hurtle healed you.”

“Ah.” That’s both comforting and not. Unicorns can only heal those on death’s door. I came so close to never seeing my Olivia ever again. Too close.

“And Gerna’s been pouring herbal healing potions down your throat for most of those two days.” A faint smile twitches his lips. “I’m surprised you haven’t pissed green yet.”

“I still might.” I grin back.

His expression sobers. “You have a moon bound bride.”

“I do.” Even if only in name, even if she never wants me to touch her again after watching me kill, Olivia will always be mine.

“She’s brave and smart. She sent the pixies to get me, and when I approached, she stood over the two of you, waving your sword.” He gives a soft snort of amusement. “She didn’t have a clue how to use it.”

“She won’t need to.” I lever myself upright. “I’ll fight for her.”

“Olivia is Moon Blade Clan now.” Dravarr pushes to his feet and heads for the cracked-open door. “We’ll all fight for her.”

The sweet smell of baking flows into the room as he leaves. “He’s awake.”

Numerous voices, all speaking at once.

“Everyone out,” Dravarr says. “Everyone out but her.”

Mother mutters for several moments, her voice carrying over the others’, but eventually the front door opens and closes and silence falls.

Olivia appears in the doorway, fully dressed like an orc, in clothing made to her size. It looks good on her, the brown leather pants clinging to the curve of her hips, the tunic falling to her waist instead of mid-thigh. But I miss seeing her in my shirt, and outlined by the brighter room behind her, I can’t make out her expression.

She looks like she belongs in Moon Blade Village, but she no longer looks like she belongs tome. A feral possessiveness fills my chest. I want to leap from the bed and take her, knot her, make her fully mine. My fists ball in the furs.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m sorry you had to see me that way.”

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