Chapter 27
Seraphina
These past few weeks in the mountain had been a whirlwind of planning. Everything seemed to be moving fast, but also not fast enough. I wanted to be mated to Thavros. I was so looking forward to having nothing to do but be his in those mating caves more than I ever knew.
The call to have him claim me, stuff me, fill me, and bite me was becoming harder and harder to deny.
But it was almost time. The preparations were nearly finished, the castle was full of guests, and the nerves were kicking in.
Tomorrow we were to be mated.
The mountain was in full celebration mode. Even the stone walls seemed to hum with life, echoing with laughter, music, and the rhythm of preparation. Everywhere I turned, someone was offering a kind word, a bit of fabric for her gown, a carved trinket, or a blessing.
It wasn't until I entered the great hall for our midday meal that it all changed.
There was someone new. Someone I didn't recognize. But someone who sent a chill up my back all the same.
The moment I saw him —tall, cloaked in slate-gray robes, with cold, icy blue eyes that scanned the room like a predator —my stomach dropped. It was like ice slid through my veins.
"Seraphina," Callie called, waving her over. "Dru and Thavros had an emergency meeting in the war room."
"Who's that?" I ask, motioning over to the new visitor.
Callie just shrugged, "I don't know him."
I kept my expression neutral, but my body knew something my brain hadn’t remembered yet. Something about him felt… wrong.
The orcs greeted the visitor with polite curiosity, no suspicion in their smiles. I watched as Frema entered from the hallway and escorted the man away from the great hall. I didn't know what was going on, but I didn't care for it.
I excused myself as soon as I could, heart pounding. In the quiet of the corridor, I pressed a hand to my chest and tried to breathe.
Callie found me not long after. “You okay, sweets? You looked like you saw a ghost.”
I forced a shaky laugh. “Just overwhelmed. So much kindness—it’s a lot.”
Callie didn’t quite buy it, but she didn’t push. Instead, she looped an arm through mine and dragged me back toward the impending celebration. “Come on. Let’s go steal the biggest honey cakes before Khuldruk hoards them.”
I followed, smiling on the outside. But on the inside, that nervousness stayed, like an itch in my memory, just out of reach.
I tried to lose myself in the celebration. In the laughter, the music, the warm press of Callie’s hand in mine. There was still much to be done before the ceremony tomorrow.
As Callie and I were just finishing up talking to the cook for the final prep, Thavros walked in. My heart lifted at the sight of him.
"Do you mind if I steal my mate for a moment?"
"She's all yours," Callie said.
With his large hand on the small of my back, he guided me into the corridor before he turned and claimed my mouth in a kiss, leaving me breathless.
"Did you come to find me just to kiss me?" I ask.
He smiled back at me, his tusks poking out even more, before his brow furrowed.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
"What?"
"Something is bothering you?"
How could he tell? I thought I was hiding it so well. And I mean, I couldn't even tell him what was bothering me, not truly. A visitor to the mountain gave an off vibe. That's not news.
"I think I'm just overwhelmed with the planning. I'm just so ready for it to be just you and me alone in those mating caves," I say with a smirk, pulling him back in for a kiss. It was true ... mostly.
He pulled back, still evaluating me. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, my mate," I say, knowing those words turn him into putty in my hands.
He pinned me to the wall in a deep kiss, actually succeeding for a moment in making me forget everything.
"I just wanted to tell you. I am needed in the war room for the remainder of the day. I’ll be with you for dinner tonight, though. I just need to prepare everyone for my absence before we are away in the dens."
"Of course," I answer, maybe a bit too brightly. "Do what you need to do. Tomorrow you are mine."
"I am already yours, my mate. But tomorrow we get to ignore the world around us, and that will be even better."
He kissed me again before turning and heading back down the hall.
I watched him walk down the hall. Even though he was small for an orc, his stride held so much strength and power.
While orcs were powerful creatures, they had a reputation for their loyalty and kindness, the Westerly Clan aside.
The more time I spent in this mountain, the more I learned that the reputation was entirely deserved.
These orcs had taken me in and showed me such kindness.
I’d only been here a little over a month, and still, the sense of belonging I felt was palpable.
And then there was Thavros, the level of loyalty and devotion he had for me was something I had never known.
I’d heard of fated mates, but never dreamed I would have one or experience it.
The depth of the love I felt for him was indescribable.
It was as if he were a part of my very soul, and by the end of tomorrow night, he would be.
With that thought, my shoulders loosened and I was finally able to take a deep breath. Nothing else mattered, not creepy strangers or nightmares, not when Thavros was waiting to claim her at the end of this.
Later that night, I returned to the great hall for a feast before tomorrow's festivities. I saw Thavros and Khuldruk at a table, and I rushed over to join them. But then I saw him —the visitor —sitting across from Thavros.
I retreated into the corridor for just a moment to catch my breath. Just a moment in a quiet hallway, and then it hit me like a fist to the chest.
A memory. Sharp and vivid. Taking the very breath from my body.
Stone walls, but not these. Cold. Damp. Chains on my wrists. That man—that man—kneeling in front of me with a cruel smile.
“The goddess has such a pretty face,” he sneered. “We’ll break it if we must.”
My knees buckled. I caught myself against the wall, breathing hard, trying not to vomit.
I wasn't sure what to do next. I was only aware of the pain in my bones and the shame buried so deep it ached even now. I stayed there, trembling, until the sounds of celebration reached me again, and I shoved the memory back into whatever dark corner it had come from.
I almost made it through the meal in a daze, trying to smile and nod when appropriate, pushing away the icy panic that was threatening to pull me under. My head was so muddled, I didn’t know how to think or act. I was stuck in a spiral.
"Are you alright, little flame?" Thavros whispered low in my ear.
I could feel the man's eyes on me.
"I’m fine. I think I’m just tired."
"Do you wish to return to our chambers?"
"Yes," I said quickly.
"Okay, one moment, and we can retire for the evening."
"No." I protest instantly. "There are people here, and you need to talk to them. I'll be fine. Come to the room when you are done."
He pulled back, evaluating me. "Are you certain?"
I gave a weak nod, to which he only cocked his head. He wasn’t buying it.
“No, I’ll come with you.”
Thavros stood and told the table he was leaving. We made it a few steps from the doorway when Maluk stopped him.
“Maluk,” Thavros said, giving him a bow. “It is an honor to have you here. May I please introduce you to my mate?”
The older orc took my hand and pressed it to his forehead. “It is an honor to meet you.”
“Thavros, I was wondering if I might have a word before you retire for the evening,” said the older orc.
Thavros looked uneasily between us. He seemed to sense that I was upset, but wanted to show respect to the elder member of the clan.
I rested my hand on his forearm. “Please, take your time. I’ll see you when you are done.”
With a furrowed brow, he took me in. I reached up on my toes and pressed a soothing kiss to his cheek. “I will see you later,” I said, offering the best smile I could muster.
Reluctantly, he nodded.
I had done it. I said good night, and I slipped into the hallway for the safety of our chambers.
Almost.
I was alone again, just for a moment, when I heard footsteps following behind me.
I turned to see the visitor taking long steps, catching up to me.
“You weren’t meant for him,” he said softly. Too softly.
He had caught up to me and grabbed my arm and spun me around, pressing me into the wall.
“You were meant for the chief. The real chief.” His fingers dug painfully into my arm, and his damp, putrid breath fell on my cheek. “You have bound yourself to the wrong brother,” he said, and his other hand came up and cupped my face, painfully squeezing my cheeks.
“What?” I squeaked, too scared to do anything else.
“But it’s fine. You still have a job to do.”
He pushed my face into the stone wall before dropping that hand.
“What job?” My voice was hoarse. “I don’t remember—”
“But your body does,” he said, voice curling with dark amusement. “The bond’s already taken hold. You think you get to choose now? You were carved for one purpose.”
I managed to free myself from his grasp as I turned and bolted down the corridor, but he didn't follow me.
I continued running as fast as my feet would carry me until the sounds of the feast were gone and I was alone in the shadows, leaving me cold and shaking, the echo of his words ringing in my skull.
What was he talking about? What was I built to do? I'd gotten so wrapped up in all of this that I'd forgotten that I was a danger to these people. I was going to bring ruin to all of them. I was going to bring ruin to Thavros.
I collapsed against the wall with tears streaming down my face.
The orcs in this mountain had invited me in. They had shown me more kindness than I had ever known. Callie was becoming a true friend. And how would I repay them?
And then there was Thavros.
A sob escaped my mouth at the mere thought of him.
I could hurt him. I could hurt all of them. I couldn’t bear the thought.
What was I going to do?
After who knows how much time, I knew what I must do. I was going to have to tear my own heart out to make sure the people in this mountain remained safe.
I stood up, wiped the tears from my face, and brushed the dust from my gown before finding my way back to Thavros's chamber.
I got a bag out and started packing. Although when I looked in the wardrobe, the only thing that truly belonged to me was the gown I'd come to life in. That gauzy, flowy dress was far from practical for an escape from a mountain in the north in January.
I stuffed it all in the bag, even the herbal tea, because if I was leaving, I couldn't get pregnant. And maybe I shouldn’t, but I grabbed a journal to remember Thavros by, but not before I ripped out a piece of paper to leave him a note.
I wrote him a note as tears streamed silently down my face.
I left the tear-stained letter on the table as I pulled the cloak from the closet. Surely Callie wouldn't miss this. My heart ached again at the thought of leaving her and all the orcs I have come to love on this mountain.
But that was precisely why I must leave. I couldn't bear being their ruin.