The heavy wooden doors take five guards to push open. I could help them, but why would I? I'm here to observe, bide my time until one of two things happens. Either the Emperor pushes too far, or I find the female who is my mate, and I am forced to ensure her safety. No one, not even the Emperor, is safe if he oversteps. Although we do not know each other, I feel her. Humming in a part of my chest that I never knew existed. All I have are options, but no real power to choose any of them…yet. As it stands, I will struggle to show her my capabilities as a prisoner of Imperia. Steve and I had always planned to meet when we thought we had found our perfect match; however, I had expected it would be under better circumstances.
Perhaps riding my stallion, preparing for battle, showing her all that I command. A part of me always wished to stumble upon the other half of my soul, but I never thought it was a true possibility. Steve is out there somewhere, and with him, my bonded. The perfect match for us both.
My eyes instantly adjust to the bright light of the illuminating sky orb, seeing guards dressed in armour standing in a perfect row, roughly halfway down the arena. I crouch, following my usual ritual, and take a handful of dirt. Attempting to feel the pulse of the Realm, but I feel nothing here. It's like the essence of everything thatis,has gone. There is more life at the front than what is on offer in the city. Sure, the impishcheer. They yell and scream for the brutality they are here to witness, but there is no life. The dirt is dry and barren, much like the rest of Imperia.
A horn blows, and a single rider takes off, his horse breathing heavily from the rapid exertion. I wish they had tried harder to bring me a worthy opponent, but I can give the crowd the show they want. One by one, they fall. Barely breaking a sweat despite the heat.
Dirt and blood cover my body as I take a victory lap of the arena. I feel the pull in my chest, but there is an irritation growing under my skin. I should have seen her by now, at least I should have seen Steve. How easy is it to hide an orc? I know Steve is no warrior, but he is not helpless either. He was trained at the same academy, with all the same instructors. I trust him to look after himself and our bonded more than any other person in this Realm or the six others.
Methodically, I pick up the heads of the fallen, scanning each section of the crowd as I pass them. They could be under the colosseum. This could all be a ploy to parade me about while taunting me with the thing I want the most. And seeing as I have a shiny new necklace that electrifies my body with magic, anything is possible.
The beat of my heart grows stronger until only one section remains, and I step into the small patch of shade offered to the arena floor. A sweet floral perfume wafts in the air, and my basal urges flare to life.She stands there, her hair glowing like the flaming pits of Nocthaven. Skin so porcelain that if my brother did not stand behind her, she would be lost to the bright light of this Realm.
She looks down on me and I am not worthy of her sight.I must provide an offering. One by one, I lay the guards' heads in a row, hoping it is enough to grant me her touch. She leans forward over the balcony, Steve holding her tightly.Protecting her.But that is my job also. I need to show her… prove to her I am worthy.
Taking a running leap, I scale the smooth side of the arena until I am standing before her. A slight tremor running over her skin. I am considered a handsome orc by orcfolk standards. Steve, unfortunately, was not as blessed as I was, but his heart makes up for it. Quickly patting him on the shoulder, I tilt her chin to my gaze. I want her to take me in. I am her warrior now, she should not shy away from me.
“Bonded,” I exhale, not quite believing she’s real.
My hand caresses her face, but it’s when she places her hand on my chest that the connection we all share, the string that binds us, turns to rope. A stronger, thicker binding and with it, my cock stands proud. I can not wait to show it to her, until I feel the skin under my collar begin to heat.
No, not now.
Wildly, I look around, trying to find the imp who is hell-bent on showing me off, only to ruin me. The heat grows to an inferno. I fight againstit, clawing at my neck, but to what end? The Emperor still has control. The world around me blurs as I fall back into the hard, dry, dirt of the arena. My bonded’s worried face staring back at me, her arm extended as if she feels the same tear in our separation. I will find my way back to her,I have to.
Chapter 15
Steve
Sounds of a scuffle echo in from the corridor behind our viewing area. The crowd spews hate at the sight of their hero falling, the Emperor sinking further into the shadows till he is out of sight. I gather Rosie in my arms, cradling her tightly as two guards fall from behind the heavy velvet curtain decorating our box.
They look desperate, their skin blotchy and covered in sores. They are dressed in the Imperian armour, but their movements are jerky, as if they are following a different set of instructions.
“There he is, and the pretty human as well. This will be fun,” the tall guard growls. The smaller one licks his lips, drooling as he looks over Rosie, nestled in my arms. “Why don't you share that pretty human of yours, orc?” he calls out. “I heard they like it when youmake them bleed.” He licks his lips, his yellow teeth on full display as he makes a vile sucking sound.
Rosie tremors in my arms as blood rushes through my ears, drowning out my surroundings. They threaten my bonded? To take her from me. They ask for death, and death they shall receive.
“Princess, I want you to close your eyes. Nothing will happen to you, but their end will not be pleasant.”
“Wha— what if you get hurt? What’s going on, Steve?” Her voice trails off to a whisper as she tries to find Bellator in the dirt below. The crowd becoming more animated as the taller guard pulls out a sword. It seems we have garnered their attention. If they came for a show today, I will give them one. Any real guard would know that it is cumbersome to fight with a large sword in close quarters. The unwieldy blade will be his undoing.
Leaning down, I press my face to the top of her head, “Close your eyes, princess,” I whisper, unsheathing my dagger, staring down the two imps that threaten us. “Come,” I demand. I want this finished. My human is distressed, my brother was made unconscious and has disappeared out of sight, and still, no one can tell me what’s happening to the city. The short guard sneers, hopping the distance between us.
How odd?
Reaching out, I catch the top of his head with my palm, my fingers wrapping around his skull. He panicswhen he feels my grip constricting, flailing wildly. His scream is immediately severed by the sharp crack of his head caving in. All around us, the crowd seems to pulse and move as they try to get a better look. Roaring louder when I toss his body to the floor. I stalk toward the remaining guard, his wild eyes glued to my bloody hand. Lunging, I thrust my dagger deep in his belly, pulling it skywards until his innards tumble out in a wet mess. He didn’t even manage to bring his sword up, let alone swing it. You would think if you were going to the trouble of finding someone to do your dirty work, you would at least make them capable.
My hands are covered in blood. At some point, a few splatters found Rosie’s soft skin, and it is my undoing.
This has to end.
I want my brother.
I want us out of here.Safe.
Trudgingthrough the blood and guts on the floor, Rosie's eyes are still shut tight. Good girl. There is chaos in the passageways surrounding the colosseum, but the crowd parts with each heavy step I take.
“It’s okay, princess, you can look now.”
