“The Gatekeeper thought he would have the same fortune as Realm Seven and prepared an appropriate outfit for a bonding. I will call for a seamstress to dress you for your status.”
His hands gently caress my waist as he explains what happened.
“So this is real? This is real life. You’re real, and wherever this is, is real. I haven't been kidnapped?” I ask almost hopefully because the more he talks, the more I seem to understand that wherever this is, I won't be going home anytime soon, and if I'm truly honest with myself, I'm relieved by it.
“You are in Realm Six.”
“Realm Six of where?”
“Hell.”
“Hell.” I pause, waiting for more information. The floor should be opening with flaming pits underneath me. The sky should be on fire. The land should be on fire. I could kick myself for not paying attention to this stuff. All I remember isfire, and so far, I have yet to see a single flame. Surely there is more information for him to tell me, but he just stares, looking over my face as my mouth opens and closes without saying a word. Okay, let's say I entertain this narrative, “There must be a mistake, because I entered a church and I'm a good person, so I'm not meant to be in Hell. I'm more of a Heaven type of person.”
“On Earth, I’ve heard there is a lot of misinformation.”
“But the church?”
“A Hell Church, no doubt. It was the Gate to this Realm.”
“But I'm alive?”
“Sure,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. What the fuck does that mean?
“The Gatekeeper?”
“Manages the Gate to this Realm. Keeps creatures in and others out.”
“But I'mgood?” I say, resting my hands on his arms, thinking out loud. This is all too much to take in. “Are we bonded? Really? Is that why I'm not scared of you?” I ask.
His hands continue to caress my waist. Moving along my back, comforting me as I try to processeverything he's said. I feel fine around Steve. A part of me knows I should be crying in the corner over this, but I just don't want to. Maybe I am broken? It could be because the life I've just left wasn’t that great, but I might not just survive here; I could thrive. It could be the silver lining I've been looking for all along. It doesn't hurt that my body seems to melt for him, that I crave his touch, but it's so much more than that, too. I feel connected to him somehow, that there is an invisible string between us and because I have it, because we share this string, I may very well never be alone or unsafe. The opposite of everything I had before. A whole world ofwhat ifopens up when I look at him, and considering where I just came from, I’m more inclined to trust my gut on how I've felt about Steve in the few hours we've spent together than anyone else, ever.
“We are not bonded, not yet.”
Not yet?
“My brother. I'm trying to find him.”
Chapter 6
Steve
“Okay, you can turn around now.”
Rosie has had me face the corner while she changed into her new dress. As soon as it was delivered, I insisted on her changing. The feral need to remove the Gatekeepers' dress and replace it with something more befitting for my kind. I have not told her I have seen her naked flesh. That there is no point facing away. Her skin is like milk compared to the darkness of my own. I also have not admitted that we could be fated. The pull in my chest toward her is unmistakable, but until we can stand with my brother, I can only assume she is my bonded.
It was always a risk when Bellator and I chose to live in separate Realms, but we agreed that the chances were slim, as well as, if wewereto find someone, then we would simply arrange travel to confirm.
It was sheer luck that Rosie and I arrived at thesame time, and I felt the fervent need to protect her. To have her in my arms and keep her next to me always. On the walk to Imperia, while she lay sleeping, I realised what this was between us. This visceral need to be with her could only mean one thing. But until my bond marks magically appear, then I need my brother to confirm my suspicions.
Turning to face her, my eyes rapidly devour her body. The dress is of flowing silk, a forest green to complement us both and to show anyone who bears witness that we are together. The shirt I had made to replace what was discarded earlier is sewn with the finest of gold thread. It wraps around her waist and at the top of her shoulders. A deep V in the front allows her teats to be covered but still reveals their shape. The weight when my palms pressed against them earlier, the softness was indescribable. She was so small when I wrapped my hands around her. The perfect calmness to my brutality. No doubt she will look even more beautiful next to my brother. I am okay to exist in the background as long as when we are alone, she is still mine.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. I enquired when we arrived about Bellator and how to proceed. I expect that at some point today, we will be advised. I had hoped it would be immediate, but when I gave the messenger instructions, he averted his gaze. We need to make our presence known in the city. Let them know that orcs are not what they have been told. Thatwe are here for Bellator, and hopefully, if I spread enough coin, someone will tell me what I need to know. I paid the seamstress double her asking price, as well as the innkeeper for our room. The people here, the impish, are not always the friendliest, but I remember they were happy at my last visit. Imperia thrived, and the impish flourished. Now though, everyone I interact with looks gaunt and withdrawn. Merely shells of their former selves while they go about their day.
“Steve?”
I refocus on Rosie, drifting between thoughts of her body, my brother, and Imperia.
“Yes, princess?” Reaching for my balterus, strapping it across my chest, making sure my blade is easily accessible by leaving my new shirt half undone.
