Page 57 of Bound to the Orc King

I lean over to whisper to Naomi, “Is this what Moon Blade Village is like?”

“It is.”

I eye Aldronn’s profile as he talks to Wranth, Dravarr, and Sturrm. He belongs here.

For the first time, I start to think that maybe I do, too. Not because this was Mom’s dream, but because this might finally be the place.Myplace.

The place where I belong. The place where I have something important to contribute.

Aldronn catches me staring, and I don’t turn away, searching for an emotional truth in his eyes. I try to call on my magic, but like always, it refuses to come when I want, offering no answers.

Because what I really want this to be? I want this to be the place where I have someone who loves me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Aldronn

When I make my rounds that night, the familiar glen is transformed, the quiet place tucked away from the world now turned into a bustling camp. Even though Naomi returned all the married couples to Moon Blade Village, my guards remain, along with all of the unicorns, Rune, Shadow, and Sheevora.

Wranth promised he and Naomi will return in the morning, saying he wanted one last night alone with his bride before beginning the trek north.

I stop outside my tent, surveying the crowded clearing. I will have no such privacy with my bride.

Yet I cannot regret this evening’s gathering. May fit in with the other witches as if they’d long been bosom friends. The way she won them over with her warm openness, daring, and willingness to laugh at herself was truly astonishing. My moonbound has the ability to put others at ease, and that’s no small feat.

Beyond that, May enjoyed herself immensely. Her laughter still echoes in my heart.

I strip off my sword belt and boots and crawl into the tent, settling on the soft furs beside her.

May lies curled on her side, facing away from the middle of the tent. I don’t think she’s fully asleep yet, but her eyes remain closed, her body still.

Tucking myself around her back, I pull a fur over us, making sure it covers her.

She relaxes against me with a little sigh, her involuntary noises once more giving her away.

Goddess, how I love these little sounds.

Her voice, as clear as if she spoke out loud, fills my mind.“I really like it here, but this isn’t going to work unless he loves me.”

It hits like a punch to the gut. My entire body tenses. I should never have worried about her fitting in with the other witches and orcs.

I should have worried about me.

I’ve spent my life molding myself into what’s expected of me in order to be a good king and warrior. How can I best this new foe, when it’s a part of my very self?

How can I be the man my moon bound bride needs me to be, one who can love her with all the wild abandon she deserves?

As I hold her close, her breaths deepen with sleep, yet I lie awake, searching the darkness for answers.

Naomi and Wranth return early the next morning, and my cousin delivers oats to the unicorns, since the clearing has no grass to forage. Naomi joins us at our fire, holding out one of the human beverages Olivia makes for them each morning.

“Oh, my god. Is thatcoffee?” May snatches up the paper cup and sips, then throws her head back with a relieved groan. She’s wearing a set of her new orc clothes, and they make her look like she belongs here. “This is utter perfection, and you’re the best friend a girl could ever have.”

“I’m about to get even better.” Naomi plops onto the log beside my bride and opens a brown paper sack holding several human pastries. “I had Olivia make you these.”

“Fairy cakes! My favorite!” My bride bites into one of the gooey confections and chews happily.

Naomi holds the bag out to me. “Want one?”

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