Page 77 of Bound to the Orc King

One last flight brings me to the end of the corridor. A tapestry blocks the way ahead, the woven threads forming indistinct shapes that make me feel like my eyes are out of focus no matter how hard I stare at them. I shake away the weird feeling and peek behind it, seeing construction ahead—preparation for memories yet to come.

I turn to the door on my right. As soon as my hand touches the knob, a zip of lust goes through me, the lingering echoes from our encounter this morning. I flush, getting turned on all over again. But as good as this feels, this isn’t what I really want. I know Aldronn desires me. Hell, the very first thoughts of his I read made that abundantly clear.

No, what I need to know is how hefeelsabout me. Is he falling like I am?

Spinning back to the hallway, I eye the multitude of doors. I’ve reached present day, but opening doors willy-nilly is pretty damned time consuming. How can I find something specific?

If this is a castle, then it should have a map or blueprints or something. As soon as I think it, a map appears in front of me. I trace a finger over it, thinking about what I want to know. One of the rooms starts to glow.

I float a little way back down the hallway and pause in front of its door.

“No, May! Don’t.”

This time I rebel as always. It’s wrong. I know it’s wrong. But shit, who could refuse? If you couldreallyknow what the person you’re into thinks about you…

I open the door.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Aldronn

I relive every memory May uncovers, the thoughts and feelings as vivid as the first time I experienced them.

Goddess, I’d forgotten that specific day with Wranth! I had no idea we were related back then, but I still despised the way the other younglings bullied him for being an orphan. I made a point after that to use all my spare time between lessons to show him how to fight. He was such a quick study, taking everything I taught him and practicing endlessly. By the time he hit sixteen, his skill with a sword far surpassed mine and that of most of my mother’s adult guards.

The camping trip with my parents is a joy to relive. How proud I felt to complete my first successful hunt! My mother showed me everything, from how to track game to how to trap it. We’d gone on several trips by this point, but this was the first time she let me take the lead. And the pride on my father’sface! I still remember how that squirrel tasted fresh from the fire, perfectly seasoned by him. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever had, flavored as much by their love and pride as by salt and herbs.

Other memories aren’t as pleasant to revisit, and I wince every time my bride comes upon one I wish she didn’t know about. Times when I failed to control my temper or fully appreciate my duties. Times with other women.

Can May tell I’ve never been in love? Never even been close?

She watches me battle ogres to save a village and then to save Starfall. She’s there when I see my first human and wish for a moon bound bride. May watches me face the shadow fae and lose him through the door to Avalon.

Her ability is amazing, all of this done after one small suggestion from an ancient parchment.

Then she brushes against the memory that holds my greatest worry, the private one I keep tucked close to my heart.

“No, May!”I yell.“Don’t.”

She doesn’t listen. Or rather, she listens and then does the opposite, as strong-willed as ever.

My bride steps right into the memory I least want her to see, the one where I worry I’m incapable of love.

The one where I worry I might never love her.

Her pained gasp pierces my heart. The shock of realizing she’s chained to an unfeeling man like me yanks her from my mind. Our telepathic bond shatters.

I’m thrown back into my body, sitting in the meadow, holding my moon bound bride’s hand for what might be the last time she lets me touch her.

Tears trickle down May’s face, and the sight of them pains my soul. Fuck. I never meant to hurt her like this.

I squeeze her hand, my throat so tight all I manage is a hoarse, “May. I’m sorry. I know you deserve better. You deserve someone who can love you.”

“No, nuh-uh, nope.” Her eyes flash fire, and she jumps to her feet and points at me. “I’ve heard enough from you already.”

Goddess, she’s gorgeous when she’s mad.

I stand as well, pacing after her, only to come to a dead stop when she whirls to face me again.

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