Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
L othar shifted his weight against the stone wall, the carved reliefs digging into his back as his fingers drummed restlessly against his thigh. Every few seconds, his gaze darted to the heavy wooden door separating him from Jana. He took several long, deep breaths, trying to calm the urge to burst through the doors and reclaim her.
A group of Brides passed by, their eyes lingering on him with undisguised interest. He turned away, remembering how different Jana’s gaze felt - curious but never predatory, warm rather than calculating. His chest tightened at the thought of losing that connection.
The past week had changed everything. Each morning he’d woken to find her curled against him, her trust in him evident even in sleep. Every smile, every tentative touch had carved itself into his heart. The kiss they’d shared on the mountain still burned in his memory.
But what if the answers she sought led her away from him? The thought twisted in his gut like a knife. He hadn’t prayed for her. He hadn’t earned her. What right did he have to keep her when she might be meant for another?
His fists clenched at his sides. His Beast stirred beneath his skin, rejecting the very idea of her with anyone else. He forced it back down, reminding himself that she wasn’t his possession. She deserved answers, deserved to know why she’d been brought here. Even if those answers shattered his heart.
Voices murmured behind the door, too low for even his keen hearing to make out the words. He straightened, fighting the urge to press his ear against the wood. Whatever she learned in there could shape both their futures. All he could do was wait, and hope.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and he turned to see another one of the Brides approaching. This one was alone and he recognized her immediately - the female who’d shown such concern for Garak during their match. Her blonde hair fell in waves past her shoulders, and her green dress highlighted her curves. Pretty enough, he supposed, but his heart didn’t skip a beat the way it did when Jana smiled at him.
She stopped a few feet away, hands clasped in front of her.
“I’m Imara. I wanted to thank you for what you did at the trials.”
“No need for thanks.” He shrugged, remembering the ache in his chest when he’d walked away from the arena. “Garak is a good male. You two seemed… connected.”
“We are.” A soft blush colored her cheeks. “Ever since the first moment we saw each other, we knew. I just… I feel terrible that you gave up your chance.”
His lips curved into a genuine smile.
“Don’t. It was the right choice.” His gaze drifted back to the door where Jana waited. “Sometimes the gods have other plans.”
Imara’s fingers twisted nervously in her skirts.
“I was wondering. What if… what if Garak loses another match? What if the winner isn’t as kind as you? What will happen to me?”
He opened his mouth to reassure her, then paused. The discussion around the Trials had always focused on finding mates for their males. He’d never considered what would happen if a female’s choice didn’t align with one of the victors.
The rules had seemed clear enough - fight, win, woo and claim a Bride. But what about the females’ wishes? What about males like Garak who might lose multiple matches but who had already formed a bond?
“I don’t know,” he finally admitted. “The trials were meant to find worthy mates for the Brides, but perhaps we didn’t think it through completely. But I do know Ulric is an honorable male. He wouldn’t force anyone into an unwanted match.”
Imara’s shoulders relaxed slightly, but he could still see the worry in her eyes.
“I hope you’re right. I just… I can’t imagine being with anyone but Garak now.”
The words struck uncomfortably close to how he felt about Jana. He couldn’t imagine watching her end up with another male either, even though he had no claim on her. The thought made his Beast stir restlessly beneath his skin.
Wulf’s worried face flashed through his mind. His brother had questioned the ethics of the Trials from the beginning, concerned that the females might have been pressured into participating. At the time, he’d brushed off his concerns, caught up in the excitement.
“I’ll speak with King Ulric,” he told Imara. “Find out what happens after the Trials end.”
He’d withdrawn from the Trials on impulse, wanting to spare one female pain. But what about the others? What about the females who might not want any of the males fighting for them? His Beast growled at the thought of females being forced into unwanted matches. That wasn’t the orc way - they were protectors, not tyrants. Their ancestors might have been savage raiders, but they’d evolved beyond that.
“Thank you,” Imara whispered, relief evident in her voice. “Just knowing someone will ask…”
She trailed off as footsteps echoed down the corridor, and he nodded. He’d failed to consider these implications before, but he wouldn’t ignore them now. Ulric was a very thorough male - surely he’d considered what would happen after the Trials concluded. There had to be provisions for females who didn’t want to mate with one of the victors.
“Why did you agree to come here?” he asked, still thinking of Wulf’s concerns.
“I’m the fourth daughter of Baron Westclat.” She gave a small shrug, avoiding his eyes. “Our title is ancient, but the coffers are empty. Father can barely maintain the estate.”
And from what he’d heard, Jessamin’s father had offered generous bride prices.
“The bride price will save our family holdings,” Imara continued. “When the offer came, I volunteered. My older sisters are already married, and the youngest is still too young. But it was my choice. No one forced me.”
He nodded, understanding the weight of family duty.
“I thought… I assumed one male would be like another. That I could learn to be content, if not happy.” A slight blush colored her cheeks. “I never expected to actually fall in love.”
Her words made him wince. How many other females had come here expecting merely to endure their marriages? The thought made his Beast growl in displeasure. And yet, Imara had found love - just as his brother had with Kari, though in a very different way.
“Garak is a good male,” he offered quietly. “I believe you will be happy with him.”
“I think so too, but I hated watching him fight…” She shuddered. “I couldn’t bear it if he was hurt.”
“I understand. I’ll speak with King Ulric,” he promised. “Today, if possible.”
“Thank you.”
She gave him a relieved smile, then dipped a small curtsy before walking away.
Movement in the garden beyond caught his eye. A cloaked female darted between the flowering bushes, heading toward the rear wall. Something about her furtive movements set his instincts on edge. He straightened, torn between his duty to guard Jana and his suspicion about the Bride’s mysterious behavior.
But then Jana’s scent wrapped around him like a caress, her presence driving all thoughts of the suspicious Bride from his mind. Her eyes met his, bright with some inner excitement that made his breath catch.
“What did you learn?” he asked, unable to hold back the question any longer.
“Nothing really. Just that Jessamin also thinks a god may be responsible for bringing me here. She says we can stay here as long as we need to find answers. That is - if you can stay with me?”
“I wouldn’t leave your side even if Ulric ordered me home,” he vowed.
“I’m glad,” she said, and the warmth in her eyes sent his heart racing. “I feel safe with you.”
He froze, unable to breathe as hope and uncertainty warred inside him.
“Safe?” he asked, forcing the word past the knot in his throat.
“Yes.” She blushed and dropped her eyes. “Safe and cared for. Like I haven’t felt in years. Maybe ever.”
His chest ached at the admission, his heart pounding. Could he dare hope that she would choose to stay, that his feelings weren’t one-sided? That she might even be starting to return them?
“I’m glad you feel safe,” he managed, his voice gruff.
She looked up and her lips curved into a small, almost shy smile.
“So you’ll stay with me?”
“I’ll stay as long as you want me.”
“Good.”
Her smile widened and she slid her hand into his.
“Then let’s go explore.”