Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The tent’s interior was larger than Thea had expected. Several orcs were gathered around a central table covered with maps, all of them massive and intimidating.
But that wasn’t what made her freeze.
There are human women here.
Two of them, clearly… belonging.
The first was small and blonde. Beautiful in a way that suggested royal breeding. She wore practical traveling clothes but carried herself with innate grace. She had to be Queen Jessamin, the arranged bride Khorrek had mentioned.
And beside her—
A taller woman with chestnut hair in practical braids and sharp green eyes standing close to a huge scarred orc who kept one protective hand on her shoulder.
Another mate bond.
She wasn’t alone, wasn’t the only human woman who’d somehow ended up bonded to an orc. Other women like me, who understand.
Relief hit her so hard she almost staggered.
Then her attention shifted to the orcs.
King Ulric was unmistakable. Towering even among his fellow warriors. Long black hair streaked with silver. Gold eyes that assessed her with uncomfortable intensity. He looked intimidating and powerful, but not cruel.
The orc standing beside the green-eyed woman was even larger, his dark green skin marked with old wounds. A survivor like Khorrek. And he recognized Khorrek, just as the king had done.
“Khorrek,” he said calmly.
“Egon.”
“Have you decided to join us?”
“I—” Khorrek looked over at her and Egon followed his gaze.
“Your mate?”
“Yes.”
A slow smile spread across Egon’s scarred face. “Then Lasseran didn’t break you completely. Good.”
Ulric cleared his throat. “Perhaps introductions are in order.”
Right. Introductions. Before we get to the part where they decide whether to kill us.