Page 101 of Her Orc Protector

I stood slowly, facing him. "You don't own me anymore, Gavriel."

Shock flashed across his face, followed quickly by fury. "Impossible," he snarled, staring at the Seal, then back at me. "The bond is broken. I broke it myself!"

"You tried," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "You failed."

His eyes narrowed to slits. The Seal pulsed again, brighter this time, casting his features in sharp relief.

"Kneel," he commanded, the word layered with magic.

I felt the press of it against my mind, but the claiming mark burned hotter, a shield of warmth radiating outward from my collarbone.

I didn't move.

Rage contorted his face. "This is impossible," he repeated. "I severed the bond. I felt it break!"

"You don't understand what you're dealing with," I said, thinking of Rowena's words.The claiming bond isn't really about magic. The real bond is what you choose every day.

He lunged forward with unexpected speed, grabbing my shoulders, the Seal blazing on his wrist. "You will obey me," he hissed, his face inches from mine. "You will remember who you are. Who we are."

The magic surged again, stronger this time—a relentless pressure that made my vision blur. For a moment, I felt my resolve waver.

But then I thought of Ellie, safe in Tinderpost House. Of Hobbie's fierce protection. Of Gruha's gruff kindness. Of Edwin and Fira at the Archives, who'd given me purpose beyondsurvival. And of Uldrek, who'd shown me what choice really meant.

The claiming mark flared so hot it almost hurt, pushing back against Gavriel's magic. I met his gaze steadily.

"No," I said.

With a roar of frustration, Gavriel shoved me backward. I stumbled, hitting the wall, but managed to stay upright. As he advanced on me again, I dodged sideways, putting the chair between us.

"You've always been difficult," he snapped. "Always requiring more correction than you should." The Seal's light was constant now, pulsing like a heartbeat. "But I always bring you back. Always."

I glanced around frantically, looking for anything I could use as a weapon. My gaze landed on a small iron poker leaning against the cold hearth.

"Not anymore," I said, and lunged for it.

My fingers closed around the metal just as Gavriel caught my arm, yanking me backward. I twisted, using my momentum. Gavriel stumbled, surprised by the maneuver. I broke free and swung the poker, connecting with his shoulder. Not a solid hit, but enough to make him recoil.

"You fight like a savage," he sneered, circling me warily. "Is that what he taught you? Your orc?"

My heart hammered in my chest, blood roaring in my ears. “He did,” I said. “Because he wanted me strong. Not afraid.”

Gavriel's hand shot out, the Seal blazing. "Drop it," he commanded, magic rippling outward.

This time, I felt the pressure but barely even had to fight it. The claiming mark was a steady warmth, a shield around my thoughts.

"It won't work," I said, advancing a step. "Not anymore."

His face contorted with frustration. "Why?" he demanded. "Why you? What makes you so special that you can resist?"

"I'm not special," I replied. "I just know the truth now. Your kind of control isn't love. It's poison."

With a snarl, he closed the distance between us, grabbing for the poker. I ducked under his arm and kicked at the back of his knee. He grunted, staggering, but didn't go down.

Before I could dart away, he caught my hair, yanking me backward with one hand while the other, still bearing the Seal, pressed against my throat.

"Enough games," he growled. The Seal flared blindingly bright, magic pouring from it in waves. "Sleep," he commanded, his voice echoing strangely in the small room.

The pressure was overwhelming, a crushing weight on my consciousness. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision. The poker slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor.

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