Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
One moment. Just give me one more moment.
Thea knelt in the center of the Stone Circle, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow. The voice—Freya’s voice—had faded to nothing. The golden light surrounding her had dimmed.
It’s done. The sacrifice is made. The balance begins to shift.
She felt different, changed somehow. Not diminished but the opposite. Fuller. More.
As if something sleeping inside me finally woke up.
Ancient power hummed through her veins. Profound and terrifying.
I’m a conduit now. A vessel for divine will. What does that even mean?
She didn’t know. Couldn’t process the thought. Her mind felt stretched, expanded beyond normal human capacity.
I can feel them. The orcs. All of them. Connected through the curse. Through the blessing. Through whatever this has become.
Thousands of individual threads. Each one a life. A soul. Some strong. Some weak. All tangled together in a vast, intricate web.
This is what Lasseran wants to control. This is what he’s trying to steal.
The thought filled her with fierce, protective rage.
Never. I won’t let him. Can’t let him.
But something was wrong. The mist around her thinned, shifting and hanging.
What’s happening? Is it over? Did I fail?
Panic flared bright and hot and then the mist vanished, dissolved like it had never existed. Brilliant sunlight flooded the circle, blinding after the endless white fog, and she raised a hand to shield her eyes.
I’m back. I’m really back.
Relief and confusion warred within her.
But I thought—the sacrifice—I was supposed to—
A body lay at her feet. Massive. Unmoving. Too still.
No.
The thought was detached. Distant. As if her mind refused to process what her eyes saw.
No. No. No.
She dropped to her knees, her hands shaking as she reached for him.
“Khorrek?”
His name came out broken. Terrified. He lay on his back. Eyes closed. Chest—
Please be breathing. Please. Please. Please.
She pressed her ear to his chest. Listening desperately. Nothing.
No. That’s wrong. Try again.
She shifted. Pressed harder. There! Faint, so faint she almost missed it. A heartbeat, slow and irregular, but there.
“Oh thank god. Thank all the gods. Thank—”
Her hands moved frantically, checking for injuries, for blood, for anything broken. Nothing obvious. No wounds. No burns.
What happened to you? What did they do?
But she knew. Somehow she knew.
He came after me. Followed me into the mist. Took my place.
“You idiot.” The word came out half sob, half laugh. “You beautiful, selfless, impossible idiot. What did you do? What did you—”
His eyes fluttered, just a fraction, and she froze, barely breathing.
“Khorrek? Can you hear me?”
Another flutter, stronger this time. Then his eyes opened, dazed and unfocused. But alive.
“Thea?” Her name came out rough, confused, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“I’m here. I’m right here.”
“You’re alive. You’re really alive.”
“So are you.” She cupped his face, her hands trembling. “You came for me.”
“Couldn’t let you—” He stopped, swallowed hard. “Couldn’t lose you.”
“I thought I’d lost you.”
Her voice broke on the last syllable, tears spilling hot and fast down her cheeks. She leaned down and pressed her forehead to his.
“Don’t ever do that again.”
“Can’t promise that.” His hand came up and tangled in her hair. “You’re my mate. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
“Even sacrifice yourself?”
“Especially that.”
Stubborn. Impossible. Perfect.
She kissed him, hard and desperate and grateful, and he kissed her back just as fiercely, despite his obvious exhaustion.
We’re alive. Both of us. Against all odds. We survived.
She pulled back, just enough to see his face.
“Can you stand?”
“Think so.” But he didn’t move immediately, just stared at her. “You’re glowing.”
“What?”
“It’s faint, but it’s there. Like light beneath your skin.”
She looked down at her hands, turned them over. He was right. A soft golden shimmer radiated from her, barely visible in the bright sunlight, but undeniably there.
The goddess. She’s still with me. Part of me now.
The thought should have terrified her. Instead it felt… right.
I accepted the role. Became the vessel. And now I carry her power until the ritual is complete.
“Does it hurt?” Khorrek’s voice had gone gentle. Concerned.
“No. It’s just… different. I feel different.”
“Bad different?”
“I don’t think so. Ask me again when this is all over.”
He nodded slowly, then started to sit up. She helped him, bracing his shoulders and steadying him when he swayed.
“Easy. You’ve been through—” She stopped. Didn’t know how to finish. “A lot. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Felt like years.” His voice went distant. “Walking through every mistake. Every person I hurt. Every—”
“Don’t.” She gripped his hand firmly. “Not now. You did what needed doing. You survived. That’s enough for now.”
He met her eyes and whatever he found there seemed to steady him.
“Can you walk?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go back. The others will be worried.”
He nodded and rose to his feet with her help. He was unsteady at first, but he grew stronger with each passing moment. She kept her hand in his, anchoring them both.
We did it. The first step is complete. Now we just have to finish what we started. The thought no longer worried her. She felt… calm. Certain.
We’re going to succeed. Somehow I know it. Feel it. The goddess showed me the path and I’m going to follow it to the end.
They walked slowly through the circle and out between the massive stones. Past the one where they’d first met. Where everything began.
Was that really only a few weeks ago? It feels like a lifetime.
In some ways it was. She’d been transformed completely. From an academic focused on the past to a woman actively shaping the future.
And I wouldn’t change it. Any of it. Even the scary parts. Especially the scary parts.
They emerged from the circle hand in hand. The camp came into view. Warriors moving about. Preparing for—
Everything stopped. Heads turned. Conversations died. Then someone shouted, triumphant and joyful. Others joined in. A roar of celebration. Warriors rushed toward them, surrounding them. Baralt reached them first.
“You live! Both of you!”
“We do.” Khorrek sounded as if he couldn’t quite believe it himself.
Egon appeared next, then Lyric, both looking relieved.
“The ritual?” Lyric asked anxiously.
“Complete.” She felt the truth of it, deep in her bones. “The first step is done.”
Lyric’s eyes widened and filled with tears.
“You did it. You really did it.”
“We both did.” She squeezed Khorrek’s hand. “Neither of us could have succeeded alone.”
Jaella pushed through the crowd, moving with quiet authority. She studied them both, her gaze sharp and assessing. Then she smiled.
“The goddess chose well. You have her blessing. Her power.”
“What does that mean?” Khorrek asked, his voice edged with worry.
“It means the balance has shifted. The scales tip toward restoration instead of destruction.” Jaella turned to Thea. “You carry Freya’s will now. She’ll guide you through the final steps.”
“The final steps.” Thea took a breath. “In Kel’Vara.”
“Yes. When the Blood Moon rises. Four nights from now.”
Four nights. That’s all the time we have.
“Then we need to leave. Now.” Khorrek’s voice had gone hard and determined.
“Agreed.” Baralt stepped forward. “I’m coming with you. So are Torvald, Riska, and Maren.”
He gestured to three other warriors who nodded eagerly.
“You don’t have to—” she started.
“We do,” Baralt said fiercely. “Lasseran wants to enslave the orcs and use them against all of us. If you’re going to stop him, you need warriors at your back.”
“He’s right.” Egon moved to stand beside Khorrek. “I’m coming too.”
“And me.” Lyric’s voice was quiet but absolute.
“No.” Egon turned to her. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t risk—”
“I’m going.” She met his eyes steadily. “The prophecy spoke of me. I have a role to play. You can’t protect me from my own destiny.”
The words hung heavy between them. Finally Egon nodded, resignation and pride warring on his face.
“Then we go together.”
Jaella raised her hands, calling for attention.
“The rest of us will remain here. Hold the circle. Keep it cleansed. When the Blood Moon rises, we’ll add our strength to yours. All the People will focus their will on your success.”
“Thank you.” She felt the weight of their trust, their hope.
I can’t fail them. Too many lives depend on this.
But she didn’t feel the crushing pressure she’d expected. Instead, she felt confident. Certain.
We’re going to succeed. I don’t know how I know. But I do.
“We should gather supplies.” Khorrek’s practical nature reasserted itself. “It’s a hard ride to Kel’Vara.”
“Already done.” Baralt gestured toward a group of packed horses. “We anticipated your success.”
Of course they did. They had faith when I had doubts.
Their faith humbled her and made her even more determined to succeed. Within minutes they were mounted and ready.
Khorrek pulled her up in front of him and settled her against his chest.
“You should rest,” she protested. “You just—”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight. Out of my arms. Not after—” He stopped, swallowed hard.
She understood. She felt the same desperate need for contact. For proof that they were both alive and together.
“All right. But if you get tired—”
“I won’t.”
She knew he was lying—she could feel the exhaustion radiating from him—but she also knew he needed this. Needed to hold her. Protect her.
Let him have this. After what he went through. What he sacrificed. He’s earned it.
She leaned back and let herself settle against his warmth.
The camp erupted in cheers as they rode out. Warriors raised their fists and shouted encouragement. Jaella stood apart from the celebration, watching with ancient eyes. She raised one hand. Palm forward.
She’s blessing us.
She raised her own hand in response, and felt power arc between them.
We won’t fail. I promise. Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost.
Then the camp fell behind and the plains stretched out in front of them, vast and empty, but beautiful in the early morning light.
“How do you feel?” Khorrek asked quietly, his breath warm against her ear.
“Different. Stronger. Like I know things I shouldn’t know.”
“What kind of things?”
“The way to Kel’Vara. The pattern of the moon. The exact moment when everything will align.” She paused. “And that we’re going to succeed.”
“You sound certain.”
“I am. Not because of logic or evidence. Because of… faith, I suppose. The goddess showed me the path. All I have to do is walk it.”
His arms tightened around her.
“Then we’ll walk it together.”
“Together.” She covered his hands with hers. “Always together.”
The word felt like a vow. A promise. A truth.
We were brought together for this. Across worlds. Across everything that should have kept us apart.
Coincidence? No. Destiny.
She’d spent her life as a skeptic. A scientist. Believing only in what could be proven and measured. Now she believed in gods. In magic. In fate.
Because I’ve seen it. Felt it. Become part of it.
The transformation was complete. Dr. Thea Monroe—the academic—was gone. In her place stood someone new. Someone who carried divine power and purpose.
And I’m not afraid anymore. Not of Lasseran. Not of failure. Not of anything.
Because she knew—with absolute certainty—that they would succeed. The goddess had shown her the future, shadowy and incomplete, but real.
We’re going to win. Restore the balance. Save the orcs. And maybe—just maybe—save the entire Five Kingdoms.
The thought should have felt grandiose. Impossible. Instead it felt… inevitable.
This is what I was brought here to do. What I was always meant to do.
She smiled and leaned back into Khorrek’s warmth. Let Lasseran come. Let him bring his dark magic and his enslaved warriors. They were ready.
Behind them rode Egon and Lyric. Baralt and his warriors. Friends. Allies. Family. Found family. The best kind.
Ahead lay Kel’Vara. Danger, but also a future worth fighting for.
“What are you thinking?” Khorrek asked.
“That I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
“In the middle of nowhere? Riding toward almost certain danger?”
“With you. That’s the important part.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. Gentle. Reverent.
“I love you.” he said softly, almost hesitantly.
Her heart swelled so much it nearly burst.
“I love you too. So much it terrifies me.”
“Good terrified or bad terrified?”
“The best kind. The kind that means I have something worth protecting. Worth fighting for. Worth living for.”
His embrace tightened around her. Mine, it said, now and always. She let herself relax into it, into him. One crisis at a time. Survive the ritual. Stop Lasseran. Save the orcs.
Then we figure out what comes after.
But for the first time, she truly believed there would be an after. A future. A life together. And that was worth any risk.
We’re coming, Lasseran, and this time, you’re going to lose. The thought filled her with fierce, bright joy. She was done being afraid. Let the final battle begin.