Page 33 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

I hug him, hoping to put all my love and strength into it. “I know it’s hard. I know it’s not what you want to do, but if it’s the law, the orcs that tried to kill you know that. They knew the laws of the kingdom and chose to try to kill you anyway. They knew the risk if they didn’t succeed and did it without regard to their own lives. You’re lucky to be alive. You said there were, what, ten orcs surrounding you?” He gives a clipped nod. “I don’t think they felt any guilt when they attacked you because they didn’t think you’d walk away.”

His eyes still look tortured. “You are right, but it does not make it any easier. I have been going back and forth on if I should have all of them set to hang or just the ones involved in the attack.”

“I would be worried if itwerean easy decision. Not enjoying the thought of putting someone to death is admirable, even if you know it has to be done.”

“You truly believe that?”

“I do,” I say, hoping he hears in my voice that I’m telling him the truth. “What do your advisors say?”

“They are in agreement with me. They will all have to die. I just wish there was another way.”

“I know you do, my love. Don’t feel bad about upholding the law. It was your life or theirs. Some of them already paid for their crimes, but who's to say the ones left won’t try again? More cleverly the next time. I don’t like to think about what you have to do either, but if it’s between you and them, I’d rather you stay above ground.”

“If I do this…will you…would you see me as a bad person?”

Smiling sadly at him, I say, “No, baby. Of course not. You’re not excited about having to put people to death. I know you’re still troubled about having to kill the orcs that ambushed you.” He looks relieved at my answer. “I have an alternative for you, if you’re looking for another option.”

“I would love to hear whatever it is you think could help.”

“If you find all of the rogue orcs, the ones not directly involved with your ambush, hear them out, then sentence them to prison. They may not have wanted to attack you. They may have been outvoted or they may have not known at all. Trust your gut to make the decision. If your gut tells you they aren’t being truthful, then sentence them as you must. If you think otherwise, a long prison sentence would be a proper punishment. But don’t feel like you have to take my advice. Do what is best for you and the kingdom.”

Axum kisses me gently, sliding one hand into my hair while holding me under my ass with the other. “Thank you, sweet Rainn. That is an alternative I can live with. I will have Olog dig deep into our laws to see what an appropriate punishment would be if we are to locate every dissenter. A lengthy confinement sentence would be appropriate instead of capital punishment. If I know Nash, he will take care of the ones directly involved with Koth and his plans.”

Smiling, I wiggle until he lets me down and sit on the side of the bathing pool. I grab a bar of soap and a clean cloth and start to wash him up. It’s like I can see the tension leaving his body as I drag the cloth all over his back. “How do you feel now?”

“Better. My mind is clearer and I can see a path forward.” He smiles at me over his shoulder. “Because of you.”

My cheeks heat at his open compliment. “That’s what I’m here for. Anytime you want to talk to me about your problems, you can. I will always help you. Always. Even if you just need to vent in the bathing pool. Whatever you need from me.”

We’re silent for a few beats, the only sound is the water splashing as I rinse the suds from Axum’s skin. Then I ask, “Can you take a break tomorrow? I know you’re working hard, but you’ll run yourself into the ground if you keep it up. Just…one day?”

He turns to me, resting his hands on my hips. “I am the emperor of Daz Vrorkrad, sweet Rainn. I can take a break whenever I would like. Tomorrow, we shall go to my brook, where we can be alone.”

I kiss him deeply, wrapping my arm around his neck. “I’d like that. I’ll have a basket packed and we can spend the entire day together.”

“The entire day, my sweet Rainn.”

ChapterThirteen

Rainn

I wakeup the next morning, excited about our day together. Sure, Axum and I have spent time together, but it’s only been brief snatches of time when he wasn’t working, other than our first time deep in the woods. But even that was far too short. Now, we get an entire day together and it’s going to be great.

There was a wrinkle in our plans when Axum had to assert to his guards that he was leaving and he was leaving on his own. Most of his guards backed down, but one, Varguk, stood his ground and convinced Axum to at least take some weapons with him in case of an ambush.

“The band of orcs are still out there, Your Grace,” he said, meeting Axum’s eyes evenly and earnestly, “so if you take your sword, you can dispatch them if you happen upon them. But if you leave this palace undefended, I will follow you and your mate. You may strip me of my guard and send me back to my post early, but I will still follow because you are the emperor and it is my duty to keep you and your mate safe.”

I’m sure it took a lot of bravery to speak that way to Axum, as the orc emperor towered over him by at least five inches and about thirty pounds, but Varguk didn’t back down.

Axum looked at Varguk with something close to approval in his eyes and conceded to doing what he asked. The guards ran to the weapons room and returned with a scary-looking sword and some kind of arm strap for Axum to wear.

It took another ten minutes for us to leave when I asked for a weapon too. Axum gave me a stern look and tried to tell me I didn’t need it and he could protect me. It took me raising my voice for him to see reason. “Dammit, Axum, what if I want to help protectyou?You’ll be distracted trying to protect me and you coulddie!”

He sighed and motioned for Varguk to bring me a weapon and a holster. The serrated blade that was strapped to my hip was long and looked sharp. Axum carefully strapped it to my hip, then made me walk and run with it before he was satisfied that it wouldn’t get in the way if I had to flee.

I’m not a fighting person and abhor violence, but I would rather stand and fight with Axum than run away and hide if we are attacked.

With Axum pleased that I won’t impale myself or accidently hack off a limb, we were able to leave without any more concerns.

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