Page 58 of Shared By Two Orcs

“I ask Duma and Yamarz to each take one of Willo’s hands.”

As I grasp her fingers, I stroke them with a gentle squeeze. She looks at me, love practically pouring from her eyes with how soft her expression is. Glancing at Duma, he winks at me with a smile before sharing a loving moment with Willo. Seeing them both so happy fills my heart with incredible joy.

“In the presence of close friends, family, and the members of the Shattered Lands clan, we ask that this union be blessed with happiness and strength to fight through anything with the power of love. May all of these three live a long and fulfilled life in which they exude vigor and gaiety for one another.”

Lugnak looks at me with a warm smile on his face, then casts it to Duma.

“Now then, do you two have something to present to Willo?”

Willo peers at us with glee as we both reach into our pockets. Duma gestures for me to go first. I pull out a small box, holding its front to Willo. I open it to reveal a hidium ring, causing her to gasp with shock. I ask for her hand.

She smiles from ear to ear as I slip it onto her right hand. Duma then removes a similar box from his pocket, unveiling a similar ring. Tears of joy cascade down Willo’s face as Duma slips it onto her left hand. We then reclaim her hands in our own.

“Willo, this ring I bestow upon you as a constant reminder of my undying love for you. I ask you now to devote yourself to me and Duma in love and care for the rest of your days.”

“Willo,” says Duma. “My ring shall serve you as a symbol of my evergreen love for this union. Will you pledge yourself to Yamarz and I in a love that surpasses the end of time?”

“Yes to both of you!” she cries.

We both reach out to her face, dashing away her tears.

“You may kiss both of your mates,” announces Lugnak.

Duma takes her first, our group of guests whistling and clapping for them before doing the same when Willo and share a kiss of our own. I then wrap an arm around Duma, pulling both of them in for a group hug.

“No matter what, you two will always be my world. Thank you both for saving my life.”

As everyone comes over to congratulate us, I notice the feeling inside of me. Never in my life have I ever felt such peace and happiness. This time, I wasn’t going to let anything slip away from me.

31

WILLO

Iwake up in a sweat from my nap home alone, feeling overheated and breathless as I sweep the blanket off of me. The fabric of my pajamas sticks to my skin as I remove it. I look outside my window, stepping into the rays coming in through the glass. Peering up into the sky, it’s a sunny blue day outside but with a good amount of cloud cover.

“It’s far too hot in here,” I say to myself, opening the window. A breeze of morning air gushes in, helping alleviate the sweltering heat inside the room. From my bedside table, I pick up an empty cup and carry it to the kitchen.

There, I fill it up with fresh water and sip on it. The second I lay the cup down, I’m hit with a sudden pain in my stomach. Grasping it, I groan as I stumble to the bathroom.

“Fuck… I don’t feel so good.”

Kneeling over my toilet, I throw up. The experience of it leaves me disgusted as I try taking deep breaths. I run my hands over my stomach again, focusing on relaxing my mind. It’s at that moment I feel something very concerning.

“What the fuck?”

I run my hands back and forth over my belly again, feeling a small bump.

Could I be… No, I shouldn’t jump to any conclusions.

I rise to my feet with caution, then walk out of the bathroom as I sit down on my bed.

“I should go and see the camp healer.”

* * *

An hour passesby the time I’m inside the healer’s hut. I would have been faster getting here, only I had to move twice as slow so as to not incite any shooting pains inside me. I look around as I wait for Mursha to see me.

“She’ll know what to do,” I tell myself reassuringly.

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