Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Thea had never been particularly good at living in the moment.
Her entire life had been spent analyzing the past or planning for the future. Examining ancient texts. Decoding dead languages. Building hypotheses about civilizations that had crumbled to dust millennia ago.
The present had always seemed somehow less interesting than what came before or what might come after.
But this—lying in Khorrek’s arms in a hidden cave while the world outside continued its relentless march toward chaos—this she wanted to hold onto.
His breathing had evened out, deepened, not quite sleep but close.
She could feel him. Not just the physical warmth of his body wrapped around hers, not just the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her back.
But him. His presence. His emotions.
The mate bond, he’d called it.
Her academic brain was fascinated. She wanted to analyze the situation and understand the mechanism by which two individuals could become so fundamentally interconnected.
But the rest of her—the part that was just Thea, stripped of degrees and credentials and intellectual armor—just wanted to experience it.
To feel wanted. Chosen. Bound to someone who saw her completely and didn’t find her lacking.
Strange. I spent my whole life convinced I was too awkward for relationships. Too focused on my research. Too… much.
Turned out she’d just been waiting for someone who appreciated “too much” as a positive rather than a critique.
Khorrek’s arm tightened fractionally around her waist. Still not quite awake but aware of her on some fundamental level, protecting her even in his sleep. The thought made her chest ache.
He’d given up everything for her. His entire identity had been built around loyalty to Lasseran, and he’d shattered it, chosen her over a lifetime of conditioning.
Because Lasseran is a monster.
True. But also because of her.
The bond confirmed it. She could feel his fierce protectiveness. His determination to keep her safe. His—
Love? Was it too soon to call it that?
Probably. She didn’t care.
She’d spent her entire life being careful, approaching every situation with academic detachment.
And where had it gotten her?
Pulled through a portal to another world, threatened by a psychopathic king, and on the run with stolen texts and a desperate hope that she could somehow find a solution to an ancient curse before people died.
Careful hadn’t prepared her for any of this—so maybe it was time to stop being careful.
She turned in his arms so she could see his face. He was beautiful in a way that had nothing to do with conventional aesthetics, all sharp angles and brutal scars. Evidence of violence was written across every inch of skin.
But his mouth had softened in sleep and the perpetual tension in his jaw had eased. He looked younger, less like a weapon and more like a person who’d finally been allowed to rest.
Mine.
The possessiveness should have frightened her. She’d never been possessive of anything except her research.
But this felt right, like recognizing a fundamental truth about the universe.
Khorrek was hers. She was his.
Simple. Profound. Terrifying.
She reached up and traced the line of his jaw with gentle fingers. His eyes opened immediately, instantly alert. Then he saw her and relaxed fractionally. “Thea.”
“Hi.”
“How long was I asleep?”
“Not long enough.” She could feel his exhaustion through the bond, a bone-deep weariness that came from pushing himself past reasonable limits. “You should rest more.”
“So should you.”
“I did rest. For hours.”
“Not enough.”
She smiled. “Are we really going to argue about who’s more tired?”
“You’re human. You need more sleep than I do.”
“That’s a terrible argument and you know it.”
His mouth twitched. Almost a smile. “Maybe.”
She kissed him. Soft. Sweet. Just because she could.
He responded immediately, one large hand cupping the back of her head as he deepened the kiss.
Yes. This. Always this.
The bond sang between them—two separate beings becoming something greater together.
She could have stayed like this forever, hidden from the world and protected from reality. But reality had a way of intruding whether she wanted it to or not.
She pulled back reluctantly. “We need to make plans.”
His expression shuttered, the softness vanishing behind familiar walls. “I know.”
“The full moon is—” She calculated quickly. “Two weeks away. Maybe a bit less.”
“That’s when Lasseran plans the ritual.”
“And that’s when we need to stop him.” She sat up and reached for her discarded shirt. “Which means I need to finish translating these texts and figure out exactly what he’s planning to do. And more importantly, how to reverse it.”
“Reverse it?”
“The curse.” She pulled the shirt over her head. Adjusted her glasses. “It’s not supposed to be a curse at all. It’s a blessing that’s been corrupted over generations. If we can restore the balance—if we can return the stolen power—we might be able to save the orcs of Norhaven.”
And him. Save him from the twisted legacy Lasseran had forced onto his people.
She didn’t say it aloud, but she didn’t need to.
His jaw tightened. “And you think you can do this? In two weeks?”
“I don’t know.” Honesty felt important. “I’ve never attempted anything like this before. But I have to try.”
“And if you fail?”
“Then Lasseran wins. He enslaves an entire kingdom. Turns them into mindless weapons. Uses them to conquer the rest of the Five Kingdoms.” She met his eyes. “That’s not an option.”
“No,” he said fiercely. “It’s not.”
He stood and started gathering their scattered belongings with efficient movements. “But you can’t translate ancient texts while running for your life. You need time, and protection.”
“Where are we going to find that? Lasseran will be looking for us.”
“I know.” His voice was grim. “Which is why we’re going to Norhaven.”
“I know that’s what you said, but are you sure you want to do that? Will they take us in?”
“I think they’ll let you in.” His voice went flat. “I’m a different matter.”
“Because you worked for Lasseran.”
“Because I’m everything they despise. A ‘tame’ orcs raised to serve a human master and trained to kill my own people if ordered.” His hands clenched. “I won’t be welcome there.”
The pain in his voice—the shame—made her chest ache.
She went to him and took his face in both hands, forcing him to look at her.
“Then I don’t want to be welcome either.”
“Thea—”
“No. Listen to me.” She put every ounce of conviction into her voice. “You’re not that person anymore. You broke free. You chose to defy Lasseran rather than hurt more people. That matters.”
“Does it? I still have blood on my hands. I followed his orders for years, and did terrible things because he told me to.”
“Yes, and you can’t change that. But you can change what you do now. Who you are now.” She kissed him. Hard. “And right now, you’re the man who protected me. Saved me. Chose me over everything else. That’s who you are. That’s who I see.”
“The orcs of Norhaven won’t see that. They’ll see a traitor.”
“Maybe. Or maybe they’ll see someone who finally found the strength to break his chains.” She pulled back just far enough to meet his eyes. “Either way, we’re going together. And if they won’t welcome you, they won’t welcome me. End of discussion.”
Something flickered in his expression, vulnerability, perhaps.
“It’s dangerous.”
“So is staying here. We can’t hide in Velmora with Lasseran hunting us.” She straightened her shoulders. “At least in Norhaven, we’d have a chance. And I need time to work and to finish studying these texts properly.”
“You’re risking your life for people you’ve never met.”
“I’m willing to risk my life to stop Lasseran from committing genocide and to give the orcs back what was stolen from them.” She put her hand over his heart. “And I’d risk my life for you, because you’re worth it.”
He kissed her then, fierce and desperate, and she met him with equal intensity, matching his passion and letting him feel through the bond how certain she was.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing hard.
“Norhaven then,” he said.
“Norhaven.”
“It’s a long journey. At least three days of hard riding. Maybe more.”
“How do we get there?”
“Follow the coast north. There’s a fishing village about half a day from here. We can…” He paused. “Acquire transport.”
“Steal a horse.”
“Yes.”
“I’m becoming a criminal.”
“You became a criminal the moment you chose to defy Lasseran.”
“Fair point.” She started gathering the scattered scrolls and rapping them carefully in their protective cloth. “Then let’s be efficient criminals. The sooner we get to Norhaven, the sooner I can work.”
He watched her for a moment with something in his expression that made her heart skip.
Then he nodded and helped her finish packing before securing the bundle to his back with practiced efficiency.
They left the cave as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Golden light filtering through the forest canopy and painted everything in warm amber tones. It would have been beautiful if she hadn’t been hyper-aware of every sound. Every shadow. Lasseran’s hunters could be anywhere.
Khorrek set a brutal pace, not quite running but close, and moving through the forest with the silent grace of a predator who knew these woods intimately.
She followed, trying to match his steps and trying not to think about how her legs were already burning and her lungs were protesting the exertion.
No complaining. He needs to know I can do this.
The bond carried her determination, and she felt his responding surge of pride and approval.
Good. Let him see I’m not fragile.
They traveled in silence because speaking felt dangerous, as if they might draw attention to themselves.
The forest gradually thinned and gave way to rocky coastal terrain. The ocean spread out to their left, an endless expanse of blue-grey water dotted with white caps.
She’d always loved the ocean from a safe distance—studying maritime cultures, translating ship logs, and analyzing trade routes.
Being this close to it—close enough to smell the salt and hear the crash of waves—was different. It made her feel small. Insignificant. A reminder that she was one person trying to stop a tyrant.
What chance do I have?
Khorrek squeezed her hand.
Right. I’m not alone. I’ll never alone again.
They kept moving as the sun sank lower, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
Her stomach growled loudly and insistently and he glanced down at her.
Khorrek glanced at her. “When did you last eat?”
“When you brought me food in the library.”
His jaw tightened. “We’ll find food in the village.”
“Will they help us?”
“They won’t know who we are. We’ll be just another pair of travelers.”
“Unless Lasseran’s hunters have already spread word.”
“Then we’ll deal with it.” He pulled her closer. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“I know.
The village appeared as twilight descended around them. A cluster of weathered buildings clung to the rocky shore and fishing boats lined the small harbor. Nets hung drying on wooden racks, and the air smelled of salt and smoke and fish.
It looked so peaceful, that she wanted to collapse in relief.
Khorrek pulled his hood lower, hiding his face and his tusks. “Stay close. Let me do the talking.”
She nodded and followed him towards what looked like a tavern. Warm light spilled from the windows along with the sound of conversation and laughter. It was all so normal.
As if the world isn’t ending.
They slipped inside and found a corner table in a shadowy corner. A middle-aged woman with a weathered face and kind eyes came over and gave them a cheerful smile. “What can I get you?”
“Food. Whatever’s available.” Khorrek’s voice was deliberately harsh, discouraging conversation, and the woman’s eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed them.
She held her breath, but after an interminable pause, the woman simply nodded. “Stew. Bread. Ale.”
“Fine.”
The woman left and returned minutes later with two bowls of something that smelled like heaven, alone with a loaf of brown bread. She wanted to fall on it like a starving wolf but she forced herself to eat slowly and carefully so as not to draw attention.
The stew was a simple fish chowder, but it was hot and delicious and exactly what she needed.
Khorrek ate mechanically, his eyes constantly scanning the room and looking for threats. She wanted to tell him it was okay, that they were safe, but she could feel his tension.
They finished eating and he put a pile of coins on the table.
The woman’s eyes widened when she came to collect their empty bowls. “That’s too much.”
“We need a horse.”
Understanding flickered. “Don’t have any to sell.”
“I’m not buying.” His voice was flat, matter-of-fact. “But when one goes missing in the morning, you’ll have enough to replace it.”
The woman stared at him for a long moment before her gaze shifted to Thea.
“Brown mare,” the woman said quietly. “In the stable behind the tavern. She’s gentle and she has good stamina. Take her.”
Khorrek couldn’t quite hide his surprise. “Why?”
“Because whatever you’re running from, it must be worse than horse theft.” She leaned closer. “And because High King Lasseran’s men were through here earlier, asking questions and making threats.”
Thea’s blood ran cold. “What did you tell them?”
“Nothing. Because I hadn’t seen anyone.” The woman straightened. “Still haven’t. You understand?”
“Yes.” Khorrek stood. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Just go before his hunters return.”
They didn’t need to be told twice.
The stable was small and dark, smelling of hay and horse. The brown mare was exactly as the woman had said, calm and well-cared-for. He approached her with confident, gentle movements and ran a hand down her neck. The horse accepted him without protest.
He saddled the mare quickly, then helped her mount before swinging up behind her. They left the village at a steady trot, not running or drawing attention. Just travelers continuing their journey.
The moon rose, and her heart sank at the size of it. Less than two weeks until the Blood Moon and Lasseran’s ritual. The timeline felt impossible, but then impossible had become relative since she’d stepped through that portal.
Khorrek urged the mare into a canter as soon as they left the village behind, following the coast road north towards mountains she could barely see in the darkness.
Towards Norhaven.
Toward safety or disaster. She honestly wasn’t sure which.