Page 104 of Her Orc Protector

Thenholt's eyebrows shot up. "Trial? For destroying a forbidden relic and its fugitive wielder?" He shook his head firmly. "You will not stand trial for this. Not now, not ever." His gaze softened. "You've done Everwood—indeed, all of Alderwilde—a great service, Miss Fairbairn."

Uldrek had moved to my left hand now, wrapping the blistered palm in soft linen after applying more of the cooling salve. His movements were precise, practiced—the motions of someone who had dressed many wounds, including his own.

I watched him as he worked. The way his jaw was set, tight with rage he never got to spend. The rigid control in his shoulders, as if holding himself back from something. The way he glanced at me when he thought I wouldn't notice—quick, furtive looks, like he was afraid I might vanish if he blinked too long.

"How did you find me?" I whispered.

He didn't look up, focusing on tying off the bandage around my hand. "I went to Tinderpost," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "They told me what happened. Dora remembered nothing—but Gruha did." His hands stilled for a moment. "I tracked you from there."

I blinked. "You tracked me?"

He finally met my eyes. "All the way."

"Why?"

He finished wrapping my palm, laying it gently in my lap. For a long moment, he didn't answer. When he did, his voice was barely audible.

"Because I don't know how to stay anywhere, Issy." His eyes lifted to mine, honest and bare. "Except near you."

The room faded around us, leaving just the two of us on a small island of stillness. In his eyes, I saw the truth he couldn'tspeak aloud—how he'd followed not because he thought I needed saving but because he couldn't bear to be apart. Because the claiming bond wasn't what tied us together anymore.

It was a choice. His. Mine.

I reached out with my bandaged hand and touched his face. "Thank you," I said softly. "For coming for me."

His eyes closed briefly, leaning into my touch. "Always," he murmured.

A discreet cough from Helvey broke the moment. "We need your statement, Miss Fairbairn," he said. "When you're ready."

Uldrek helped me to my feet, his hand steady at my elbow. I swayed slightly, exhaustion and pain finally catching up with me. "Can it wait?" he asked, his tone making it clear it wasn't really a question.

Thenholt stepped forward before Helvey could respond. "The essentials only, for now," he said. "The full accounting can wait until we're back in Everwood."

I nodded, gathering my strength. "He kidnapped me from Tinderpost House," I began. "Used the Seal to control Dora into letting him inside. I pretended to be under his control so he wouldn't hurt anyone." I glanced at what remained of Gavriel, feeling nothing but a hollow sort of emptiness. "He brought me here. He tried to use the Seal on me, but the claiming bond protected me."

"And then?" Thenholt prompted gently.

"We fought," I said. "I grabbed the Seal. It... turned on him."

Thenholt nodded, seeming to understand more than I'd explicitly stated. "Not uncommon, with artifacts so strongly tied to intent and will. The magic can rebound if the wielder's hold over their target breaks." He studied me for a moment. "Still, it takes remarkable strength to force such a rebound."

I didn't feel remarkable. I felt drained, sore, and desperately in need of a bath. But I managed to stand a little straighter. "May I go home now? Please."

"Of course," Thenholt said. "Captain, see that Miss Fairbairn and Master Wolfsbane get off safely. The Council will handle the rest."

Helvey nodded. "We'll need some time to secure the scene and prepare the body for transport," he told us. "But we can arrange a carriage—"

"No need," Uldrek cut in. "I have a mount outside." He looked at me, a question in his eyes. "If you're up for riding."

"Anything but another carriage," I said with feeling.

The captain looked dubious but nodded. "As you wish. We'll follow behind as soon as we're done here."

We left the others to their grim work. Uldrek kept his hand at my back, steady and warm, as we made our way down the stairs and out of the inn. The innkeeper stood nervously near the entrance, his earlier suspicion replaced by a sort of fearful deference.

"My apologies for any inconvenience," he stammered, not quite meeting my eyes.

"Keep your apologies," Uldrek growled. "It's only by the Council's mercy you're not facing charges for harboring a criminal."

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