Page 49 of Bound to the Orc Warrior

When I’m done, Wranth dresses quickly but casually enough that I can tell he’s comfortable in his nudity. Which makes sense, because he mentioned orcs have communal baths.

“How are we getting back to the den?” I ask.

“Can you take us?” Wranth steps close.

“I don’t know.” I worry at my lower lip. “I brought us here as an instinctual thing, a wish my magic acted on without full conscious thought.”

“Then wish to be back there.”

“Don’t forget us!” the pixie shrieks. “You promised us Pizza World!”

“We’re not going to Pizza World, not yet. We’re going to the cat sith den for tonight.” I glances at Wranth. “And then we’re going to an orc village.”

“Moon Blade Village,” he clarifies.

“Yes! We have heard of this place. We will find you!” She lets out a high whistle and points off into the woods.

The other pixies break into two groups, pick up my torn undies, and fly away in a glowing stream of light, leaving the clearing around the pond dark.

A flash of a smile, barely seen in the starlight, and Shadow says, “See you there.”

I’m left alone with Wranth. I take a moment, soaking in the atmosphere of this magical place—the splash of the waterfall, the soft breeze on my skin, the scent of leather and pine and male. Stars wink in the dark-purple sky overhead.

Then my arms go around him, and I picture the den. My crystal warms on my chest, and magic sizzles through me with a slight burn. We pop into place, right where we stood when we left the cat sith den earlier. I give a soft gasp, but it’s enough for Wranth’s keen hearing.

“What is it?”

“I guess my magic’s not fully recovered yet. That hurt a little.”

“You will not use your magic again until you rest for the night.”

“Yes, Mr. Bossy Pants,” I tease. It’s kind of nice to have him fussing over me.

Moonlight’s voice comes from behind us. “Our visitors have returned.”

“Stay here,” Wranth says. He steps away from me, lost to the darkness. Something rustles, and a soft golden light fills the clearing as he holds up a glowing crystal.

I startle a little. We’re surrounded by cat sith, their smoke gray fur blending into the darkness. In only a few moments, Shadow appears and walks over to where two rabbits lie on the ground. “We hunted for you.”

“Thank you!”

“Yes, thank you,” Wranth says, but I can tell it bothers him to be beholden to anyone.

He starts to work, setting a fire and getting it going.

Mist walks over to him. “I must get back to Moon Blade Village. Is there any message I should carry?”

“I would have you carry several, if you will.” His intent gaze lands on me. “Tell Dravarr and the others in the village of my bride, and that we hope to return there in the morning or as soon as we can.”

She dips her head in agreement.

“We also need any knowledge the dragons might have about her magic.”

“Yes, please,” I say, excited at the thought of research.

“And finally, if you could let King Aldronn know to return to Moon Blade Village,” Wranth says. “He will want to be part of the talks. His party was heading to Raven Steel Village when I left them.”

Mist calls over a couple of the other adult cats and gives them these last two messages to carry, then turns her green eyes on me. “I will see you in Moon Blade Village tomorrow.” Her wide smile hangs in the air as the rest of her disappears, finally fading from view.

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