Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Dawn broke cold over the mountains.
Khorrek stood at the edge of camp, watching light bleed across the horizon, pink and gold against grey stone. It was beautiful in a way that reminded him of Thea—soft on the surface and strong underneath.
His mate was finally sleeping after dragging him across camp in the middle of the night to wake Lyric and spend three hours discussing magical theory he barely understood.
She’d talked about convergence points and ley lines and lunar alignments, her eyes bright with discovery and her hands moving through the air as she explained patterns only she could see.
Brilliant. Fearless. Mine.
The possessiveness still surprised him. He’d been taught that wanting things was a weakness. That the only thing that mattered was obedience.
He wanted Thea fiercely and desperately, but it didn’t feel like weakness. It felt like strength.
“You’re up early.”
He turned and found Egon approaching. The big scarred warrior moved with quiet confidence. No wasted motion. A fighter’s economy.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
Egon nodded, but didn’t press. “Ulric wants the northern approach checked. Do you want to come?”
He considered for a moment. He didn’t want to leave Thea unguarded, but she was safe here surrounded by Ulric’s warriors. And she’d be angry if she woke to find me hovering over her like she couldn’t take care of herself. His little mate had strong opinions about her independence.
“I’d like that.”
They moved out together, silently at first—two warriors who understood the value of quiet.
The northern approach was difficult terrain. A good defensive position but hard to navigate in the dark which made it a perfect place for an ambush. He scanned the landscape looking for signs of disturbance or anything out of place. Nothing.
They climbed higher, the camp falling away behind them.
“Your mate is very impressive,” Egon said. He gave him a wary glance, but Egon’s expression held no mockery.
“She is.”
“Lyric says she’s brilliant and that her understanding of the old texts is extraordinary.”
“She picks up languages like breathing, and sees patterns where others see chaos.”
“A useful skill.” Egon paused at a rocky outcrop to study the view. “Especially now.”
“She’ll figure out how to reverse the curse. I’m certain of it.”
“You sound proud of her.”
He considered that, turning the emotion over in his mind. “I am. Is that strange?”
“Not for a mate.” Egon’s scarred mouth twitched. Almost a smile. “Normal, actually. Welcome to having feelings.”
“I’ve had feelings before.”
“Rage doesn’t count. Neither does blood lust or trained obedience,” Egon said dryly. “I’m talking about the other emotions, the complicated ones.”
He wasn’t sure how to respond to that so he remained silent.
They continued the patrol, checking sight lines and assessing vulnerabilities.
“I could have been one of you,” Egon said suddenly, and he frowned at him.
“What do you mean?”
“My mother was one of Lasseran’s “gifts” but she managed to get away before anyone noticed she was pregnant. Otherwise I would have been exactly where you were. One of Lasseran’s weapons.”
He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Envious, perhaps.
“What happened to her?”
“She died and I ended up on the streets.”
“And in the fight pits.” He’d seen the other male fight—seen him give mercy even when the crowd bayed for blood. Lasseran had insisted mercy was weakness, but it was the memory of that mercy which had caused him to let Egon go.
“Eventually,” Egon agreed.
“You don’t sound bitter.”
“Oh, I was. For years. Angry at the world.”
“What changed?”
“Finding my brothers helped. But then I found Lyric again and she made me see that our pasts don’t define our future. That we can choose who we want to be.”
He turned that over in his mind.
Choose who I want to be.
Such a strange, radical concept. He’d spent his entire life being told what to be, what to do, and even what to think. The idea that he could choose felt dangerous.
But I’ve already chosen. The moment I protected Thea from Lasseran and we fled Kel’Vara.
“You’re still getting used to it,” Egon observed. “The freedom.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“To someone who’s been there? Yes.” Egon resumed walking. “It takes time. Learning to trust yourself—and learning that your Beast is more than just a weapon.”
“More?”
“The mate bond helps. Your Beast wants to protect her and make her happy.”
Khorrek thought about that. About the way his Beast had stirred the moment he’d met Thea. The fierce protectiveness that had only grown stronger. He’d thought it was just a biological imperative, but it was more than that. Deeper.
“When the bond settled for me,” Egon continued, “it was like… balance. For the first time in my life, my Beast was calm. Satisfied. It had a purpose beyond destruction.”
“Protection.”
“More than that. Partnership. She makes me better. I make her stronger. Together we’re—” Egon paused, searching for the words. “Complete.”
He felt that truth resonate through his bond with Thea. She anchored him and gave him purpose, made him want to be better than what he’d been raised to be.
Complete. Yes. That’s the right word.
They reached the highest point of the patrol route. Stopped to survey the landscape.
From here, Khorrek could see the camp below. Tiny figures moving between tents. Smoke from cooking fires rising into the pale morning sky.
And somewhere down there, Thea was sleeping. Safe. Protected.
Mine to keep safe. Mine to cherish.
“You think we can win?” he asked suddenly. “Against Lasseran’s armies?”
“I think we don’t have a choice. He won’t stop. He won’t accept anything less than total control.” Egon met his eyes. “And I won’t let him have it.”
He nodded, the same determination settling in his chest.
Neither will I.
They started back down, taking a different route and checking the new sight lines.
“The other orcs in camp look at me strangely,” he said slowly. ‘Not that I blame them.”
“Give them time. Show them who you are now rather than who you were forced to be.”
“And who am I now?”
Egon’s scarred mouth curved into a slight smile. “A warrior who chose his mate over his king. Who betrayed everything he was raised to believe because it was the right thing to do. Someone worth respecting.”
The words hit harder than Khorrek expected. Settled somewhere deep. Important.
Someone worth respecting.
Not a weapon. Not a tool. Not disposable.
Someone with value. With choice. With purpose.
They descended in companionable silence. Two warriors who’d survived similar hells. Found similar salvation.
The camp was more active now. Warriors were breaking their fast and preparing for the day’s training. He spotted Ulric talking to one of his advisors and gesturing at a map. They were preparing for war.
Because Lasseran will never let them go.
He knew the High King too well. He knew his arrogance and his absolute certainty that he deserved to rule. He would come for Norhaven, for Thea, for him. The thought would have terrified him, weeks ago, but now it just made him angry and protective.
Let him come. Let him try to take her from me.
As they entered the camp warriors nodded to Egon, but gave him more of those wary looks. Perhaps Egon was right and that would change in time, but for now he ignored them, more interested in finding his mate.
She’d be awake by now. Probably already back in the command tent with Lyric. Buried in scrolls and texts.
My brilliant scholar. Determined to save the world through research and stubborn will.
He found her exactly where he expected—bent over a table covered in parchment. Lyric was beside her and both of them were talking rapidly, but something was different. He could read her excitement, but also… fear.
His protective instincts immediately flared as he crossed to her side. “What’s wrong?”
She looked up and relief flickered across her face.
“I’m glad you’re back. I need to tell you something.”
“Tell me.”
She glanced at Lyric, and the other woman gave her an encouraging nod
“I figured out the ritual. I know how to reverse the corruption and restore the balance.”
“That’s good,” he said cautiously.
“Yes, but it’s complicated. There are two parts, and two locations.”
Dread settled in his gut. “Where?”
“The first is the stone circle where you found me. It’s a nexus point—a convergence of ley lines. We need to cleanse it.”
“And the second location?”
Her hands twisted together in a rare nervous gesture. Rare for her.
“Kel’Vara.”
His fists immediately clenched.
“No.”
“Khorrek—”
“Absolutely not. You’re not going back there. Not to Lasseran. Not to—”
“I have to,” she said quietly but firmly. “The corruption started there. In his palace. In the Obsidian Keep. That’s where his ancestors first twisted the magic and drew power from it. That is where it was thrown out of balance.”
“Then someone else can do the ritual.”
“No one else can read the texts. No one else understands the pattern.”
“Lyric can—”
“Lyric could help with the first part at the stone circle, but the second part needs to be performed by the same person. The magic has to recognize the caster. It has to accept the reversal.”
His Beast was rising, angry and terrified.
I can’t let her go. I can’t let her walk into Lasseran’s hands.
But Thea was watching him with those clear grey eyes. Steady. Unafraid.
“I know it’s dangerous. I know the risks. But it’s the only way.”
“There has to be another option.”
“I’ve checked. Verified. Consulted with Lyric. There isn’t.”
“Then we don’t do it. We find another way to stop Lasseran.”
“There is no other way. Not in time.” She stepped closer and put her hand on his chest. “The next full moon is in ten days. If we don’t act then, the window closes. We’ll have to wait another month. And by then, Lasseran will have performed his own ritual. Will have seized complete control.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. The texts are clear. The lunar alignment. The magical convergence. It all points to the same date.”
Khorrek wanted to argue. Wanted to refuse. Wanted to grab her and run and never stop running.
But she was right. He could see it in her eyes. Hear it in her voice.
Certain. Absolutely certain.
“I won’t let you go alone.”
“I know.” Small smile. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”
“We’ll need an army.”
“We’ll need to be smart.” Lyric spoke up. “Lasseran will be expecting an assault. We can’t give him what he expects.”
Egon had entered the tent. Had been listening. “A small team. Fast. Precise.”
“Suicide mission,” Khorrek said flatly.
“Probably.” Egon’s expression was calm. “But necessary.”
Her hand tightened on his chest. “I won’t ask you to come.”
“You’re not asking me. I’m telling you. Where you go, I go.”
“Even if it means facing Lasseran again? Even if it means—”
“Especially then.” He covered her hand with his. “You’re my mate, and I’m not letting you walk into danger alone.”
She blinked rapidly, her eyes suspiciously bright.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We might all die.”
“Ever the optimist.” But she was smiling. Small. Genuine.
Lyric exchanged a look with Egon. Something passed between them. Silent communication.
“We’ll go with you,” Lyric said.
“What?” Egon’s head snapped toward her. “Lyric, no. This is—”
“Necessary. You know it is.” Lyric’s voice was gentle but firm. “Thea will need help with the ritual at the stone circle. I’m the only other one who can sense the ley lines and who understands the magical flow.”
“Then I’ll go with you to the stone circle. But Kel’Vara—”
“Is where I’m needed too. The Old Gods are moving through this. Through all of us. I can feel it.”
Egon’s scarred face twisted. Conflict written in every line. But he didn’t argue. Just reached for her. Pulled her close.
“Stubborn woman.”
“You knew that when you mated me.”
“Thought you’d develop better survival instincts.”
“I have excellent survival instincts. That’s why I’m taking a massive terrifying orc warrior with me.”
Despite everything, Khorrek felt his mouth twitch. Almost a smile.
These are my people now. My allies. My family.
Strange thought. He’d never had family. Had never been allowed connections beyond his fellow weapons.
But looking at Egon and Lyric. At Thea. At the determination in all their eyes.
Family. Yes.
“When do we leave?” Egon asked. Voice resigned. Accepting.
“We have ten days,” Thea said. “But we’ll need time to prepare. To plan. To coordinate with Ulric.”
“And to train,” Khorrek added. “If we’re going into Kel’Vara, we need to be ready. Need to know the plan perfectly.”
“Agreed.” Egon’s expression was hard. Focused. “We’ll need to move through the city unseen. Get to the Obsidian Keep. Perform the ritual. Get out.”
“Simple,” Lyric said dryly.
“I didn’t say easy. Just simple.”
Thea looked between them. Worry and determination warring in her expression.
“I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what any of you wanted—”
“Stop.” Khorrek turned her to face him fully. “This is what needs to be done. And we’ll do it. Together.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Egon made a sound. Quiet approval.
Lyric smiled. “The Old Gods chose well. Both of you.”
Thea adjusted her glasses. Nervous gesture. “I don’t know about gods. But I know about magic. And I know this will work. If we can just—”
The tent flap opened. Ulric entered. Jessamin beside him.
The massive orc king surveyed them all. Sharp eyes missing nothing.
“I hear we’re planning something dangerous.”
“When are we not?” Egon muttered.
Ulric’s mouth curved. “Fair point. Tell me.”