Page 25 of Orc Charming

“Where are you?” I asked softly, but there was no reply.

I scrolled through my phone, and it occurred to me to go to Chatbook, where I clicked into Deegar’s fan page. Should I tell them he’d disappeared?

There was no need to say a thing . . .

. . . because hehadn’tdisappeared.

The group was full of recent shots of Deegar dressed in much fancier clothing.

Standing with his bodyguards at the embassy in Boston.

Dining with a gorgeous orc female at an exclusive restaurant.

Taking transport to the orc kingdom, a grim smile on his face as he waved to the crowd.

He was safe. He looked happy enough.

And he wasn’t just plain old Deegar Aerensten. Nope, he was actuallyPrinceDeegar Aerensten Weelest Brilladon Tritemarden.

First in line for the throne of the orc kingdom.

He’d played me all along.

I threw my phone onto the side table, buried my face in my hands, and cried.

Chapter 16

Deegar

When I stepped outside Cat’s house to collect her mail from the box, orcs rushed up to me. My bodyguards had found me.

I fought them using every bit of skill I possessed, but my family had hired them for a reason. They might be on my level as far as battle skills, but there was no way I could defeat five of them at once.

“Cat,” I bellowed as they dragged me to their vehicle. “Cat!”

They stuffed me into the back of the enormous, armored truck and locked the doors, climbing into the front and engaging the inner armor we used if I was under threat. I couldn’t escape. I couldn’t bash my way through (though I tried), and they couldn’t hear me try to convince them to let me go.

They drove until we reached the embassy.

That was when I realized I didn’t have my phone. Fuck.

Carick, the head of my detail, lowered the privacy shield a crack and spoke through it. “You either come inside peacefully or you make a scene. As you can see, the press is here, greedy to record anything they can use against the orc kingdom and the royal family in general. What’s it going to be, Prince Deegar?”

“I’ll cooperate.” For now.

My lips a thin line, I walked with them through the aisle created through the crowd with the press and people shouting all sorts of questions on both sides. They wanted to know where I’d been. What I’d done. And if this would have any impact on the treaty.

I said nothing, just kept my head held high and walked inside, where I was “guided” to one of the parlors where I was told to sit and remain in place.

Thankfully, the treaty negotiations had continued while I was away, following the guidelines I’d set forth that benefitted both humans and orcs alike. All that remained was for me to sign for the orc kingdom, which I promptly did.

“Give me your phone,” I told Carick when I’d finished. I’d memorized Cat’s number.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said grimly. We stood in the front parlor with my other bodyguards surrounding us like an orc wall. They were determined to keep me from running again.

“Why not?”

“I’ve been told to ensure you return to the kingdom after the treaty’s signed.”

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