Page 10 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

“Do?” I ask, dragging my eyes away from Rainn with effort.

Larek smirks. “Yes. Anyone that crosses the barrier usually goes to?—”

“He will stay with me,” I say abruptly, my heart clenching at the thought of Rainn being anywhere else.

“Of course,” Olog says, bowing to me, though an expression I can’t name crosses his face. Happiness? Smugness, maybe? “Shall I summon healers for him?”

Before I can walk up the lane to get him to the palace and out of the heat of the day, Larek steps in front of me, looking down at Rainn. He grips his chin and turns his face towards him, studying Rainn’s visage in concentration.

Larek looks at me in surprise, his hand jerking from Rainn’s chin quickly. It takes a moment to realize that I am growling. I am sure my eyes flash with anger, the violet reflecting off his green skin as I stare him down.

Shaking my head, I take a small step back from Larek, but bring Rainn closer to my chest. “Have a healer come to my chambers. And cancel all of my appointments for the rest of the day.”

Both Larek and Olog bow. “As you wish,” Larek says, looking both contrite and smug. Yes, it was smugness on Olog’s face too. I wonder if it was because of the conversation we had on the way here? That is something to ponder at a later time.

Larek hands me Rainn’s discarded bag and I hold it in a firm grip but avoid jostling Rainn. It takes us less time to get back to the palace than it did getting to the portal, as we did not take any detours or walk at a leisurely pace.

When we step through the palace doors, I beeline to the stairs, taking them two at a time to get Rainn to my third floor chambers. I push into the room, leaving the door open so my advisors and healers can enter.

It concerns me that he hasn’t regained consciousness, even after a fifteen-minute walk back to my palace, but he is still breathing so I know he has not expired. I am worried about a possible head injury, however.

I place him on the bed, moving my many pillows away from his face so he can breathe. I forcibly push away the thought of how much I think he belongs there. Rainn is a stranger. Ido notknow him. I cannot have these feelings cramped in my chest for him when we have known each other for mere moments.

Well, fuck.

I sit on my chaise by the window, my thoughts running a mile a minute. This is what Nash meant when he said my mate would come to me when I least expected it. I did not expect a human male, but there is no other explanation. I feel too strongly about him after such a brief encounter for him to be anything other than my mate.

As I stare at him from across the room, I imagine him in my life until the end of our days. Even after only a short conversation, my world would be darker if he were to leave, even though I do not know him and I have not claimed him.

Fuck, this human came through the barrier…for me.

Larek was correct—the feeling between fated mates is intense.

Before I can spiral deeper into my thoughts, there’s a knock at my chamber doors. When I meet the healer’s eyes, I wave them inside.

I wish I had the skills to heal with magic, but I do not. All orcs are capable of using magic, but we all cannot use the same brand of magic. There are those, like me, that can use magic to help with day-to-day tasks, like communicating with telepathy, heating my bathing pool, enchanting a piece of jewelry to use as a language translator with foreigners; whereas others use magic for their trades, such as tailors and blacksmiths, and yet others who use magic to heal. Everyone has their gifts.

The healer bows to me, then looks over at Rainn. “What happened, Your Highness?” he asks, keeping his distance from Rainn until I give permission. Larek must have told him that he suspected Rainn was my mate.

Fucking Larek.

“He ran headlong into the barrier after it solidified.” I wave my hand to Rainn so the healer can approach.

It takes but a moment for the healer to use a spell to check his condition. “He is just resting, Your Highness. He does not have a concussion, just a nasty bump from the barrier. He will be fine after a day or two of rest.” After he bows again, he leaves me alone with Rainn.

My mate.

I never thought I would find a mate. My job as ruler of this land is too trying to court anyone and I refused an arranged marriage. Though my parents' marriage was not terrible, they could never be with the people they chose for themselves. I never wanted that for myself.

But with Rainn here, I can have who the gods meant for me. What will he say to that? He just walked into a world unknown to him. How will he react knowing an orc wants to claim him?

Rainn stirs on the bed, groaning softly. I want to rush over to him, but I do not want to scare him. I am over seven-feet-tall and more than three hundred pounds. That would scare anyone, especially a dainty human such as him.

He sits up slowly, looking around groggily. When his gaze clashes with mine, his eyes widen. His mouth forms a perfect ‘o’ before it stretches into a smile. “I didn’t think you were real.”

“I am very much real, Rainn with two n’s.”

He looks down shyly before he gasps. Rainn throws his legs over the side of the bed and looks around. He lets out ana-ha!when he spots his bag hear the bed. He pulls it up to rest near him. “Shit! What time is it? I have to call my friend and let him know I’m stuck here. Wait, am I even on Earth?” I shrug. What is Urrth?

---