Page 52 of How To Woo A Warrior Orc

Ga’Rek’s edged over to me, positioning himself between me and the golden fae.

“We didn’t summon any gods,” Nerissa snarls.

“She did,” Hash says, pointing a finger at Wren. His finger drifts over to me. “She helped.”

My stomach sinks, and I have to remind myself to take a breath.

“A charm learned in a dream,” Hash tuts. “You should know better, witchling.”

“Can we leave now?” one of the mercenaries whines. Caelan smashes his elbow into his temple, and the man slumps over the table.

“Whoopsie daisies,” Caelan says.

“Caelan, you can’t just knock people out,” Wren chides. “And I didn’t… I didn’t mean to? Doesn’t that count?”

“No,” Caelan and Kieran say at the same time.

“Witch brides are a powerful commodity,” Hash continues like nothing’s happened. “You should choose wisely.”

“There’s got to be a way out of this,” Willow says quietly.

“There’s not,” Hash tells her. “You can either volunteer, or they will choose a bride for themselves in three weeks, and then also destroy Wild Oak Woods. Except for the old inn, of course. That’s been there forever.”

“The waypoint, you mean,” Kieran mutters.

“Oh, you did figure it out.” Hash claps his hands in delight. “Wonderful. Yes, yes, the waypoint, a focus point for power between the realms. Your mother did do well with you. Apple fell far from the tree and all that but here you are, growing into another apple tree.”

I glance at Nerissa, confused, but she just stares at the golden fae.

“Why?” Ruby asks. “Why do they need witch brides?”

“Well, did you look at them? They’re monsters. They’re lonely, and witches are such fun. I’m fond of them myself.”

He grins at us, then frowns when no one smiles back.

“That and the old Wild Oak Woods pact with the Elder Gods. It must be filled, you know. A power struggle is coming.” His voice turns harsh, serious, and infinitely more terrifying. The lantern light, which I designed to be soft and cozy and inviting, throws harsh shadows across his face.

So much for that idea.

“Wild Oak Woods will be the battleground. The Elder Gods know this. This is how they offer their protection. You either take it and have a chance at keeping all your mortal friends alive, or you don’t and everyone dies, and this hallowed place is still a battleground.”

He shrugs, then beams again. “Either way, if you don’t take the deal, you’re dead.”

“You’re an asshole,” Caelan tells him.

Ga’Rek wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me tight.

“That’s why we get along so well, you and I, Caelan,” Hash says brightly, then glances up at where Ga’Rek is baring his teeth at him. “Oh, don’t worry, orc, they won’t take a mated witch.”

He glances around, as if cataloguing my whole coven. “The rest of you lovely, lovely witches, though, would make beautiful brides for the Elder Gods. Didn’t the duchess look stunning? She was put out when I informed her family of her role in the matter, but I’m sure you can see she was well-suited for the role. A real power couple, that one.” He nods.

“You did this,” Wren accuses, rage making her words tremble. “You are the one who gave me the charm. You invaded my dreams.”

“I didn’t make you do anything. I just… nudged you towards it. Well, I’ll be off,” Hash says, clapping his hands together.

He disappears in a cloud of gold particles.

“Shit,” I say.

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