Page 25 of Bound to the Orc Warlord

I lean over and tug her tether free of the saddle strap. As she floats past me, I pull her onto my lap. My moon bound settles astride me, using her legs to grip my waist since her hands can’t get a good hold without disturbing my shoulder. Even injured, my body responds to her nearness, and the thrill of victory promises further spoils and pleasures, ready to be taken.

If only we weren’t still in danger.

Midnight takes off at a leisurely pace, and I want to growl at her to hurry, even though I know she does it to prevent mefurther pain. Fortunately, we’re close to the tree line, and the heavy canopy of green soon closes around us in welcome shade and the fresh scent of pine.

Drakonisrevener complains about difficulty flying but doesn’t try to land on Midnight’s still healing withers. Even though young and small for a dragon, his wings still have a five-foot spread. His agility in the air becomes clear as he banks and glides between the trees. If only my bride soared as easily, I wouldn’t need to worry as much about her.

As we settle into the ride, Ashley’s thighs remain tight around me, even as her upper body sways this way and that. She winces every time, though she tries to hide it.

“Come.” I wrap my good arm around her and pull her to my chest.

“Your shoulder!” Her beautiful green eyes are wide and troubled.

“My shoulder is fine.” It’s a lie, but one that lets me hold her close.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ashley

As the sun continues to drop, we ride as quickly as possible, no longer slowing for any flying practice. Not that I’d be any good at it right now—I’m too flustered.

Embarrassment flushes through me. I was nothing but a liability during the fight. If this is what life’s going to be like now…

“Is it always like this?” I ask.

“Like what?”

“Fighting ogres and things like the sluagh.” This world’s beautiful, and the magic is amazing, but it feels like it all comes with a lot of threats, too. Then again, Earth could be dangerous. I remember the cold look in Mr. Caprio’s eyes when he found out I exposed his scheme.

“Orcs and ogres are enemies of old,” Dravarr says. “But they’re going to attack more now that the Moon Goddess gives us sky gifts of magical humans.”

“So they wantme?” Everything had happened so fast back in the meadow that I hadn’t stopped to consider why they’d attacked.

“Your magic is a prize, the likes of which we haven’t seen for centuries in Alarria.” His lips purse. “Once you have command over it, that is.”

So he agrees that I’m of no use right now. God, I wish I could burrow into the covers on my bed and hide!

My magic surges through me, my crystal warming on my chest, and I bobble, sliding up a few inches. A startled eep escapes me as my thighs clutch Dravarr more tightly. God, I need a light switch or something! I don’t even know how to turn it on and off! Let alone fly with any kind of control.

His good arm tightens around me, wrapping me in his solid strength—I’m not going anywhere.

“We’re making camp here.” Midnight drops to a halt at the edge of another meadow, with us still hidden under trees. Ahead, the last rays of sunlight slant down through the treetops in ribbons of gold, striking a range of brightly colored flowers scattered across the grassy ground so they glow with color.

Dravarr lets go of me, but it takes me a couple of moments to unclench my thighs. My mind knows I’m still tethered by the rope, but my body feels like he’s my only point of safety.

Once I float up out of his way, he dismounts, a tiny hiss of pain escaping from between his clenched teeth.

“We’re taking care of that injury,now,” I say.

“All right.” He pulls the saddlebags from Midnight’s back and drops them to the ground.

“I need to graze,” Midnight says. “But the meadow’s so open I can be spotted. If anyone sees the saddle, they’ll know I’m not a regular pooka.”

“I’ll remove it,” Dravarr says. “Although it’s not if you could ever look like a regular pooka.”

“Yes, what exactlyamI supposed to call you?” Drake asks. “I’ve never seen a black unicorn.”

“A unipook?” I try mashing the words together like people always do on the internet. “No, wait—this is better. A pookacorn!”

---