Page 108 of Bound to the Orc King

“Tell them we will have much to discuss… tomorrow.” Aldronn picks up my hand and presses a kiss to my palm. “Today is for my queen.”

My heart leaps at his words. I’ve been inside his mind. I know how much duty and responsibility drive him. For him to prioritize me means so much—it means everything.

I couldn’t love him more.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Aldronn

The day is a day of delightful firsts, beginning with showing May the rest of the heart tree cottage, with its large main room made of the living golden wood. Then I take her to the village baths. Numerous orcs soak in the long rectangular pool of the largest room, but I stride right past them, carrying my bride into the smaller, more private room. A circular pool awaits, steam rising from its surface.

I luxuriate in something I haven’t enjoyed in years. Time. We lounge in the pool, and I slowly wash and finger comb her hair until her body goes limp and relaxed against mine, her breath coming in soft sighs that tickle my neck.

Once she’s dressed in another new set of orc clothes, I take her to Naomi and Wranth’s cottage. The main room already shows signs of everything his bride has brought to my cousin’s life—books form little piles on the tables of the seating area, a small and colorful human blanket drapes the back of the couch, and several human foods cover the kitchen counters. It looks lived in and homey in a way his guard quarters back at the castle never did.

I can’t wait for May to bring all her color and life into our new home as well.

The two women hug, and Naomi wiggles her eyebrows at May and holds up a fist. “So did you?”

“Yep!”

They break into giggles as Wranth and I exchange glances. He sounds vaguely horrified as he says, “Are they talking about sex?”

“Are you certain you want me to answer that?” I ask.

While they chatter a bit more, I grip my cousin’s shoulder. “Are you all right with this trip? If not, you don’t have to come with us today.”

“No, I want to.” His eyes flick over to Naomi, filling with pride. “It’s time they met my bride.”

“I know exactly what you mean.”

Naomi takes Wranth first, then me. In another blink, Naomi and May stand beside us in the bailey of Elmswood Keep.

“This is your castle!” May gasps, looking all around. “It looks just like the one I use to understand your mind.”

“Our castle.” I take her elbow and steer her toward the main doors to the keep. They fly open as we approach, a familiar pair of people filling them. “Or perhaps more accurately, theirs.”

My parents race outside, arms flung wide. They’re as tall and well muscled as any warrior in their prime, each of them continuing to train every day. Laugh lines bracket my father’swarm eyes, and my mother’s warrior braid holds as much silver as black, but they both still radiate competence and vitality.

“Aldronn! Wranth!” my father bellows.

“We heard the news!” Mother adds. “Are these your brides?”

May stands her ground beside me, not even flinching as my mother scoops her off my arm and into a hug. “Aren’t you just the prettiest thing! Why, I’d think you were an elf if I didn’t know better.”

“Nope!” May laughs. “One-hundred percent bona fide human. I’m May.”

“I’m Priva, and this is Lovarr.”

“So pleased to meet you,” Father says, picking May up in his own hug. “I was worried my boy was never going to get married.”

“I told you both I hadn’t found the right person, and I was right,” I say. “I was waiting for May.”

“And who do we have here?” Mother looks at Naomi.

“She is my moon bound bride,” Wranth says with pride.

“I’m Naomi.”

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