Page 51 of The Orc's Promised Bride

“What about Jessamin?” she demanded. “What has she done to deserve this?”

His expression darkened, muscles tensing.

“Her marriage to Ulric is a threat. The alliance between kingdoms cannot be permitted.”

“So you’ll let an innocent woman be harmed?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue. “She’s done nothing wrong except try to make the best of an arranged marriage.”

For the first time since he’d grabbed her, Khorrek stopped walking. She could see the conflict on that scarred face, brows furrowed and lips pressed tight.

“I have my orders.”

But the words came out less certain than before. She recognized that uncertainty - she’d heard it in her own voice years ago, when she’d started questioning the cult’s teachings. That mix of doubt and fear, the first cracks in her blind obedience.

“Orders that involve harming an innocent woman?” she asked gently. “Is that really who you want to be?”

His grip loosened further, his eyes tormented.

“You don’t understand. The High King-”

“I understand following orders without question. I understand being afraid to think for yourself. But I also understand that there comes a point where you have to decide what kind of person you are.”

His internal struggle was clearly visible on his face. Had no one ever challenged his beliefs before? His hand dropped from her arm entirely, and this time he didn’t immediately grab her again.

A branch cracked somewhere in the dense undergrowth, and he quickly stepped in front of her.

“Stay behind me,” he ordered, drawing his blade with practiced efficiency.

The protective gesture caught her off guard, but it confirmed her suspicion that there was more to him than a warrior blindly following orders.

The bushes rustled again, closer now, and she pressed her back against a tree trunk, the rough bark grounding her as her pulse thundered in her ears. Her fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms, as she searched desperately for something to use as a weapon. She wouldn’t go down without a fight if needed.

Khorrek’s massive frame blocked most of her view, but she could see how his muscles coiled, ready for action. The blade in his hand caught what little sunlight filtered through the canopy. His stance was defensive rather than aggressive - he was protecting her now.

The contradiction threw her. This wasn’t the same orc who’d dragged her from the convent. That version of him had been cold, determined. This one seemed… different. More like thewarrior she imagined he might have been before blind loyalty had twisted his purpose.

But then Lothar burst into the clearing in full Beast mode and Khorrek responded. It was a terrifying sight, and although she was grateful that Lothar gained the upper hand, she couldn’t let him kill Khorrek.

He tried to move her aside and go after the other male again, but before he could, Khorrek’s expression shifted. He looked from her to Lothar, then shook his head, his shoulders slumping slightly.

“Your mating is nothing but futile resistance against the High King’s will.”

She felt Lothar’s muscles tense beneath her hand, but he didn’t try and charge at the other male.

“Your time together is limited,” Khorrek said quietly, “but I won’t be the one to end it.”

Lothar growled, his arm tightening around her but when Khorrek melted into the shadows of the forest, he didn’t attempt to follow him. Instead he turned back to her, the black in his eyes fading away to be replaced by the familiar green.

“You’re safe,” he said gruffly, and she burst into tears.

CHAPTER 25

Lothar gathered his mate close, his chest aching at her tears. He had failed her again. How could he have let her be taken by that male? His Beast growled, still demanding to destroy the threat to his mate. But she was clinging to him, her small body shaking, and his rage faltered.

He stroked her hair soothingly and her sobs gradually subsided. She finally looked up, but the shaky smile on her face was replaced by horror.

“Oh my God. Your throat is bleeding.”

Her voice broke on the words as she reached up to touch his neck. His Beast retreated further, unable to maintain its hold in the face of her distress.

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