Page 110 of Bound to the Orc King

Mother’s gaze goes thoughtful. “Alarria could be the new Avalon.”

“Precisely.”

“We can’t do it without you,” May turns to Naomi. “You’d need to make more door crystals.”

“Hey, you know me.” Naomi grins, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “I’ve always wanted to travel.”

“As long as I’m by your side, protecting you,” Wranth growls.

“Always,” my friend says.

“We can use the west wing of the castle. It isn’t being—”

“No!” May cuts over Father. “Oops, sorry, but…” She shoots me a “help me” look.

“We weren’t planning on living at Elmswood Keep,” I say. “We want to live in Moon Blade Village with the other orc-human couples.”

My Mother gives a slow nod, staring into the distance for a moment. “This village has become very important.”

“It does have Alarria’s only far traveler.” Father lifts his glass to Naomi. “And if you place the doors to the other realms there, the village will become the prime center for trade among the realms.”

“We don’t want to change Moon Blade Village,” May says. “It’s pretty damned perfect exactly as it is.”

I nod. “We want to create a second village and travel center on the other side of the cleaning stone. We already have a lot of other fae visiting the area. We could make appropriate accommodations for them.”

“Then it is decided.” Mother lifts her glass. “To new endeavors!”

We all toast and drink, and May leans close to whisper, “I see where you get your decisiveness from.”

“We will establish a second royal residence in the new location as well,” Mother adds.

May shoots me an uncertain glance, and I squeeze her hand and ask, “What is it?”

She leans toward me. “I don’t want to give up our heart tree cottage.”

“Then we won’t,” I promise. “Or at least not until we have a few children.”

“Few? I thought you saw one?”

“One to start.” I kiss her knuckles and smirk at her as my parents begin to fuss about grandchildren.

We talk for several more hours, then take our leave as evening begins to fall, promising to return soon.

“It was nice to meet you, Queen Priva,” May says.

“You must call me Priva, dear. And perhaps someday you’ll call me Mother?” She runs a hand over May’s sunshine hair. “I’ve always wanted a daughter, and I’d love to call you mine.”

Happy tears still fill my bride’s eyes as Naomi returns us to Moon Blade Village.

The other couple hurries toward the village green as I hold May back for a moment. “Are you okay?”

“Do you think they liked me?” A touch of her old vulnerability flashes across her face. “Really? Not just being nice?”

“They loved you.” I cup her cheeks with both hands and stare deep into her eyes. Then I fill my voice with command. “Do not doubt it.”

“So bossy.”

“You love it.”

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