Page 68 of Bound to the Orc Guardian

Coño,what? I barely stop myself from swearing out loud in front of the little ones. But I can’t hold in the anger building in my chest as I spin to face Sturrm.

Reevie jumps from my lap as I shriek, “We’remarried?”

Bella leads us to a small, private cavern. Though since there’s no door, I’m not really sure it’s very private. When Sturrm grumbles as much, the dragon promises we won’t be disturbed.

It’s actually really nice for a cave. A glow stone the size of a grapefruit is mounted on the ceiling, casting soft golden light over everything. There’s a waterfall in the back that splashes down into a crystal-clear pool. Our things are already waiting, packs sitting against the wall, the furs spread over a soft bed of moss.

What a lovely place to have an argument. I huff in amusement.

Bella dips her head and disappears.

I make it to a count of ten before I can’t contain myself any longer. She’s probably still within hearing distance, but… “Carajo! What’s going on?”

“The dragon’s wrong.”

“Oh, really? Because she seemed really, really sure when she said we weremarried!” My voice hits a high note I didn’t know I could reach on that last word.

“It’s not that simple.” He scowls the scowl to end all scowls, no others need apply.

“Then make it simple. Tell it to me like I’m five.”

“A few nights before I found you, the Moon Goddess appeared to me and gave me the location where you’d arrive. She summoned me to come and find you.”

“So, the goddess does this a lot or something?”

“Rarely.” He shakes his head. “There haven’t been moon bound brides for almost three-hundred years, not since my ancestors were first brought to Alarria. That is, until a couple of months ago. Since that time, the goddess has brought several human women to Alarria. You’re the fifth.”

I stare at him, mouth hanging open. That is seriously romantic, and he didn’t think to tell me? “So your goddesstellsyouto come and findme, and you don’t think that means something?” I point back and forth between us.

“Normally it would, but this time, your standing stone was so far away from orc lands no one else could get to you in time. I was the only orc close enough, because I was already in these mountains for the quest.”

My eyes narrow as I parse over what he said. “Explain ‘normally.’”

“Usually, the goddess summons the groom to find his bride. This time is an exception.”

Anger vibrates through me. The big stubborn fool! “Do you hear yourself right now? The only one making exceptions around here isyou. The goddess isn’t wrong. You are.”

He shakes his head. “No, you’re too young, too sweet, too full of life. You deserve someone like that, not a bitter older man like me.”

“Carajo, yes! Okay!” I throw up my hands. “I’m younger than you. So what? I probably have more relationship experience than you, which means I know what I like. I’ve at leasttriedto date people seriously. My longest relationship lasted over a year. How about you? Can you say that?”

He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t have to. I didn’t think it was possible for one of his scowls to bemore, but his frown deepens past anything I’ve seen before, cutting lines into his face so sharp you’d think they were put there by his sword.

“Ha!” I point at his face. “I’m right! Have you had a single romantic relationship of any sort in the past twenty years?”

More glaring.

“Have you?” I’m not letting this go. His bullheadedness has gone on for too long as is, and there’s no way we’re leaving this cave without hashing out all of this.

“No.” He bites off the word. “You’ll understand when you’re older that I’m wrong for you. I’m—”

“Coño, I don’t care if you’re older! In fact, I like it.” I throw up my hands. “And I’m an adult.Iget to decide who I want, not you.”

“But another man will be younger, happier…”

“Oh, I’m sure there are plenty of people happier than you, you grumpy old goat.” I step close and poke a finger into his chest. “But trust me that younger doesnotequal better when it comes to men.”

He grunts his neutral grunt.

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