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She stepped forward, trying to project an air of academic confidence. “I’m Dr. Thea Monroe. I was kidnapped from my world and brought to Velmora specifically to decode ancient texts about the Beast Curse.”
Interest flickered in Ulric’s eyes. “And did you? Decode them?”
“Yes. Which is why Lasseran wants me dead.” She nervously adjusted her glasses.
“I discovered that the curse isn’t actually a curse.
It’s a corrupted blessing. One that’s been systematically drained by Lasseran’s bloodline for generations.
And he’s planning to take the last of the power at the next full moon.
And then turn every orc into a mindless slave under his control. ”
Complete silence.
Then Ulric’s expression went cold and dangerous. “Explain.”
She did, quickly and efficiently. Laying out what she’d discovered in the texts about the original blessing and the way successive High Kings had twisted it.
“He’s been using the power he stole to create his controlled orcs.
The ones who lose themselves completely to blood rage.
But it’s never been permanent before. They’ve always died.
” She paused and met Ulric’s eyes. “This time will be different. This time he has enough knowledge to make it permanent. To bind every orc to his will. Forever.”
“Every orc?” Jessamin’s voice was soft and horrified. “Including those in Norhaven?”
“Eventually. Yes.”
“How?” Egon demanded. “How would he reach orcs here?”
“I don’t know the mechanism. The texts weren’t complete. But the theory is sound. The curse—the blessing—connects all orcs. If he controls the source, he controls everyone touched by it.”
“Why did you bring this information to us?” Ulric asked.
“Because I believe it can be reversed. The texts hint at a way to restore the balance and return the stolen power. To break Lasseran’s control and restore the blessing to its original form.”
“Hints.” Ulric’s voice was flat. “You risked your life coming here based on hints?”
“I risked my life because Khorrek said you were the only one who might help. And because the alternative is watching Lasseran enslave an entire race. I’ve spent my life studying dead languages and forgotten cultures.
I’m not going to stand by while another culture is destroyed. Not when I might be able to stop it.”
Another heavy silence before the green-eyed woman spoke. “You’re the one from the prophecy.”
Thea blinked. “What?”
“The prophecy.” The woman’s voice was distant and uncertain, as if she were speaking words she didn’t fully understand. “A queen from beyond the veil. Bearing knowledge of the old ways. Who will come when the curse reaches its breaking point. Who will either save the orcs or damn them utterly.”
Prophecy. Of course there’s a prophecy.
Because her life wasn’t complicated enough already.
“Lyric,” Egon said gently. “What are you saying?”
Lyric—the green-eyed woman—blinked and focused. “I don’t know. The words were just there.” She looked at Thea. “You’re her. The woman from the prophecy.”
“Do you remember anything else?” she asked cautiously. “Any other details?”
Lyric closed her eyes. “She will stand between darkness and light. She will choose to heal or to destroy. And in her choice, the fate of two worlds will be sealed.”
Great. No pressure then.
She forced herself to breathe. “I don’t know anything about prophecies. And I’m not a queen.”
“But you do know about the curse and the magic behind it.” Lyric stepped forward eagerly. “What did you bring with you? Can I see them?”
Thankful to move away from the idea that she might be the subject of a prophecy, he pulled the leather satchel from her shoulder and started extracting the carefully wrapped scrolls.
“Of course. I also have copies of the most relevant passages, along with my translation notes, in here.”
Lyric gave the scrolls a reverent look. “These are very old.”
“They are.” She carefully unrolled one of the scrolls. “And there are elements that suggest they’re based on even earlier writings.”
Lyric bent over the scroll and breathed in sharply. “This is beautiful.”
“It’s also terrifying. Look at the marginalia. Someone—probably a Veilborn priest—added notes about the corruption. About how the power was being redirected.” She pointed to specific passages. “If we can decode the ritual structure, we might be able to reverse it.”
“Might?”
“I need more time. More resources. But yes. I believe it’s possible.”
They bent over the scrolls together, Lyric eagerly offering suggestions, and Thea felt some of the crushing weight lift from her shoulders.
Someone else who understands. Who could help. She wasn’t alone in this anymore. Did that mean they were safe now?
But then Ulric’s voice cut through the discussion. “Khorrek.”
Everyone fell silent as Khorrek stepped forward, his face expressionless.
“Your Majesty.”
“The last time we… encountered one another, you still vowed to follow Lasseran. What has changed?”
“I’ve changed.” His voice caught as he glanced at her. “I found a reason to truly question what I had been trained to believe, and I discovered that it was all lies.”
“And now?”
“Now I want to stop him. I want to protect my mate and keep her safe while she tries to find a solution. I want to save my brothers from his plans.”
The silence stretched out as the king regarded Khorrek, his expression was unreadable.
“He saved your life, Ulric,” Jessamin said softly, but Khorrek shook his head.
“Because you saved me from the flames. There is no debt between us.”
“We told you that you would be welcome in Norhaven,” she added, ignoring his denial. “Didn’t we?”
“You said I would be welcome,” he admitted. “If I ever needed sanctuary.”
“And you believed me?”
“I… hoped I could believe you. And we didn’t have anywhere else to go. Lasseran wants my mate dead. He wants the knowledge she carries destroyed so no one can undo what he’s done. Norhaven was the only place that might stand against him. The only place that might protect her while she works.”
Jessamin’s expression softened. “You came here for her. Not for yourself.”
“I would go anywhere for her. Do anything to keep her safe.”
“Even face warriors who might kill you on sight?”
“Yes.”
The king’s expression softened as he looked at his queen. When his gaze returned to Khorrek, it was thoughtful rather than angry.
“You betrayed your master because of your mate.”
“Yes. But I also betrayed a master who never valued me as anything more than a tool,” he said bitterly.
“Lasseran doesn’t see orcs as people. We’re weapons to him.
Disposable. And when Thea decoded the texts and I understood the extent of what he was planning—” He met Ulric’s gaze.
“I couldn’t be part of that. Couldn’t help him enslave my… brothers.”
“So you brought us intelligence about his plans.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re willing to help us fight him.”
Khorrek’s jaw set. “Whatever it takes. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop him.”
Ulric nodded slowly. “Then you’re welcome here. Both of you.” He paused. “But know this. If you betray us—if this is some elaborate deception—I will kill you myself. Slowly and painfully. Mate bond or not. Understood?”
“Understood.” Khorrek’s voice was steady. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
We’re safe. We’re actually safe.
Relief made her dizzy, and she grabbed the table’s edge for support.
Lyric took her other hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “You’re safe now. We’ll figure this out together.”
Together. Such a simple word with such an enormous weight.
Thea looked at the scrolls spread before them. At Lyric’s eager expression. At Khorrek standing tall despite his fear. At Ulric and Jessamin and Egon—all of them willing to listen. Willing to help.
Maybe we actually have a chance. Maybe this isn’t hopeless after all.
She adjusted her glasses and focused on the scrolls.
Time to get to work. Because the full moon was coming.
And with it, Lasseran’s final move.
They had to be ready.