24. Timas
Chapter 24
Timas
W e’ve spent the last few days in Dorron recovering from the eventful trip to Ezuren. Milori has healed well and is back to his chipper self. Emilia has been smiling nonstop for the past few days, and knowing I helped put it there makes me feel incredibly content. Today, we are heading back to Sonas, as I have received several messages from the council stating they are unhappy I left without informing them. The need for advisors is important to keep a balanced and people-centred monarch, but I know that had I informed them, they might have tried to stop me. It wasn't a risk I was willing to take. I understand that we need to focus on the murders, but I needed to do this for Emilia and for us.
Emilia, Zornak, and Garrick walk over, each wearing a smile. Emilia’s eyes immediately meet mine, and her smile grows even larger.
“You ready, my flower?” She walks up beside me and holds my hand tightly .
“Mhmm.” Looking over at Zornak, I see his (much healthier) face. Even in a short time, his colour has returned, and he looks much stronger.
“Like I said before, you both are invited to come and live at the palace with us. It may take some adjusting, but I am sure it would mean a lot to Emilia to have you both there.”
“We’ve spoken about your invitation and have decided that we will join you–but on one condition.” I didn’t expect a condition to my offer, but the smile on Emilia’s face leads me to believe it can’t be that bad. Zornak looks over at Garrick before he continues.
“We will move there if we can work as blacksmiths in your palace.” A job? He wants a job?
“That is unnecessary. You are Emilia’s family and will be taken care of accordingly.”
“This is non-negotiable. Orcs are not known for being sedentary beings. We will work for you and you alone. We would also prefer to live outside the palace. I do not wish to feel constrained to one place again.” His request is reasonable. It would seem foolish to say no.
“Agreed.”
“Good. We will set off for Sonas tomorrow and be there within a week before this celebration of your betrothal.”
Emilia gives each of them a hug before returning to my side. At that point, Milori walks over, a grin on his face, looking to cause trouble as his attention falls to Emilia .
“Well, gorgeous lady, are you ready for another flight?” A growl rips from my throat as I stare down at my best friend. He’s just standing there with an infuriating smile that needs punching, but…seeing as he was recently hurt and freshly recovered, I try to restrain myself.
“I love how easy it is to rile you up. This is going to be fun.” He turns and walks away while Emilia pulls my head down to meet hers in a sweet kiss. Instantly, I am calm.
“Well, I guess that is a solid indication that she is your spirit bond.” I raise my eyebrow questioningly at Zornak. Of course she is.
“You went all glowy again. Last time I saw that, you blew up a barrack.” His comment makes me feel slightly embarrassed. I don’t want Emilia to think I can’t control my anger, though admittedly, sometimes I can’t. She leans up and whispers into my ear.
“I find that strangely attractive… maybe you can show me how you do that?” Now, my embarrassment has turned into something else for this woman. She truly is my other half. After saying goodbye to Emilia’s family and gathering with the Noble Guard, the chief walks over to send us off. Ruk and his wife stand side by side with a mask of indifference, although later, Emilia assures me they are happy. Orcs are strange.
“You are welcome to visit the Southern Orcs at any time. Thank you for causing so much trouble in Ezuren–their invasion plans have been postponed. It seems that after your little display of power, the humans are wondering what problem the Fae have with the Northern Orc Clan. I suspect once the humans discover you were merely motivated to save your spirit-bond’s father, they will once again join forces and try to invade our lands. At least that is my thought. Either way, you have given us more time, and we will look for other ways to undermine and prevent their attempts.”
I can’t help but smile a little at Gormash’s issues. He deserves far more than that for what he did to Emilia. Perhaps one day, I can repay him for his actions properly.
“We will be busy for a little while, but after our betrothal ceremony, please come to the palace. I would like to talk to you about what you know of the Night Court and see if there is anything we can do to help each other.”
With a plan to meet again, we returned to Sonas, the Day Court capital–our home.
***
We arrived back early the following morning. Thankfully, we were able to make the entire flight to the coast because I was the only one with a passenger. Emilia slept in my arms during the flight and the boat ride back to the city. After returning to our beds and sleeping most of the day away, I awoke to a package I had arranged for before we left for the mountains.
After much convincing, I finally motivated Emilia to go for a walk with me. We ended up on the same balcony we were on for the lantern ceremony. It felt like it was just yesterday that we were curled up under the stars as the lanterns took the wishes of my people into the sky. The sun is setting, providing the perfect backdrop for what I’m about to do.
“I didn’t realize how breathtaking the view was last time. Mind you, I was so nervous, I don’t know if I could have paid any attention to all of this. It’s beautiful.” Pink, purple, and orange colours surround the sun as it sets the continent in a picturesque view. Somehow, the colour of the sky makes it seem like a better place than I know it is.
Walking up to the stone wall, I lean beside Emilia, facing away from the sun and looking down at the woman who brings more than enough light to my life.
“You’re beautiful.” Her cheeks go pink, so I drag a knuckle across one, enjoying the way she gets flustered by the compliment.
“Thank you.” She says with a smile.
“I have something for you.” Reaching into my robe, I pull out a small cloth bag. Pulling on the drawstrings, I open the mouth of the bag and pull out the ring I had ordered for her. A gold ring decorated in an intricate pattern full of yellow sapphires. She gasps when she sees it.
“I’ve been told that humans typically give their betrothed a ring as a symbol of their engagement, while Orcs exchange armbands. The Fae do not give such things because when we bond with someone, the magic that binds us creates markings on our hands, similar to the markings that decorate my body. That will happen to you, regardless. ”
“Will it hurt?” With a small smile, I shake my head.
“No, it will not hurt. You will have an overwhelming feeling of connection when we complete the ceremony, and then you will feel me inside you, or rather, you will feel parts of my feelings…but that is for another day. I wanted to give you something that would show you that I meant what I said. I want to bond with you, cherish you, grow old with you, laugh with you, cry with you—actually, I don’t enjoy seeing you cry, so maybe not that.” She chuckles as I continue, “These past couple of weeks have been chaotic and life-changing, but I wouldn’t want to go back to the way it was before. For hundreds of years, I wondered where my spirit bond was, what she would be like and even if she would return my affections. As it was, you had not yet been born. You are beyond any beauty I have ever seen and, for the most part, do seem to be fond of me.”
“I’m incredibly fond of you.”
“That’s comforting to hear from the woman I love. Not just the bond, but truly, the woman you are. The woman who will gladly become a spy to keep her father alive. The woman who patiently waited on a spoiled noble– which is likely a good thing because I suspect I can be incredibly demanding-–the woman who smiles when she sees a garden full of flowers. I love you, my beautiful Emilia. Will you become my bonded and Queen to serve alongside me in this city you have found yourself in?”
Her eyes are glassy, causing my nerves to spike. I can’t force her to bond with me, but I want her to–not because she wants to protect someone else, but because she loves me .
“Timas, I didn’t expect to find something so wonderful when I came to Sonas. My mind and heart have been weighed down with the responsibility of keeping my father alive, but you took my problems as your own and solved them for me. I don’t know how I will ever be able to thank you. You put your own problems on hold for me. Though I questioned the wisdom of the choice, I saw in it the passion you had for me to put your words of affection into action. I don’t know if my becoming Queen is truly a good idea or if I will be accepted by the Fae, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I want to be with you, and if I have to learn how to be a Fae Queen, I will do it because you are worth it. I love you, and I will happily become your bonded.” No one has ever said that I am worth it before. Everyone expects me to do it all, to be what they need, never really caring about who I am–but she does. I gently grab her hand and slide the ring onto her finger. I can’t wait to see the markings on her hand after the ceremony, but until then, this will shout to everyone: Emilia is my betrothed. My lips find hers and press softly at first, but the growing passion for her surfaces as our kiss becomes more than celebratory. Our mouths dance together in a celebration of the promises we’ve made, even here on this balcony, and the anticipation of what is to come. The desire I have for her increases with each passing day and the bonding ceremony can’t arrive soon enough. The sun sets on us, and all I can think to do is thank the sun for the treasure I hold in my arms.