“Not again,” I gasp, darting out from under Bellator's arm. “What does it say?”
“We’ve been invited to see the Emperor.” He looks up to Bellator, “It's addressed to only Rosie and I.”
“No, I will come.” Bellator tries to swipe the invitation from Steve's hand but misses, stumbling slightly as Steve steps back, out of his reach. “I am fine!” He glares.
“Rosie and I will go. Youwillstay here.”
“I am the one who gives the orders here, brother,” he seethes.
“Steve is right,” I say, stepping into his side. “You're not one hundred percent and I don't want to worry about you getting hurt when we’ve already gone to the trouble of finding you.” I cross my arms and stare at him. I won't back down on this. We’ve waited days to get him back, and the last thing I need is a testosterone fulled meeting where we end up in a worse place than we are now.
“Bonded, I understand you are new to this?—”
“No. Whatever you think you’re about to say, don’t. My whole life has been controlled by men telling me what I can and can't do, and I'm not going to start my new life with it happening here. We don't know each other yet, Bellator, but I know we’re bonded, and for whatever reason, the universe decided I need more than one soulmate. I feel it when we touch that there is truth to everything Steve has told me, butyouwilltreat me as your equal; anything less than that will not be enough.”
“Rosie, I would never…” He drops to his knees, palms open, looking at me with desperate eyes. “Forgive me. You are right that I still feel poorly.” Bringing his hands in front of him, his knuckles paling as he fidgets. “It is my job to keep you safe.”
“Steve will keep me safe. He protected me this afternoon.” I turn to look at him, smiling in thanks.
“She is everything, brother, but she is not your army to command,” Steve says calmly. “We will return shortly. I will have food and nourishment sent. Rest, and when we return, we will figure out what this looks like.”
His voice barely above a whisper, “I am sorry.”
Leaving Steve's side, I stand in front of Bellator. “Go back to bed. The faster you heal, the safer we all are. Watching you fall today, I don't want to see that again.” Reaching up on my tiptoes, I kiss his cheek quickly, a sharp inhale of breath coming from him as I walk past Steve and open the door. I feel like Steve, and I have some sort of foundation, but Bellator is still unknown. The little time we have spent together is not enough. We have a connection, the pull of the bond making me comfortable around him, but I want to know more.
My dress is the same one I wore earlier, dirt covering the hem, I couldn't care less. I’m on a missionto figure out what the fuck is going on here, because the sooner that happens, the sooner I can sort out what it means to be bonded to two orcs.
Chapter 18
Rosalind
HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL - NESSA BARRETT ?
So this is theman, well, imp, everyone is so worried about. On the surface, he doesn't look like much. His skin is like cracked leather, a weird grey hue to it, but nothing different to the other impish I've seen around the city. Apart from his heavy gut bulging beneath his red and gold robes. He lounges back in his oversized throne, giving off the aura of a child playing with his father's things.
I hold Steve's finger as we approach the Emperor. I wish I could properly hold his hand, our size difference making it nearly impossible. On the flip side, it is comforting having a giant orc at my side.
“I see you received my invitation,” he sneers, looking at where our hands join. “And it's true, you are bonded. I assume you’ve completed the ritual.” He looks off into the distance, appearing indifferent, but his need for control is oozing from him.
“Naturally, the ritual is complete. As you can see, I have my bond marks.” Steve holds up his forearm, showing off the two black bands that appeared after I couldn't stop humping him the other morning. I make a mental note to ask about the ritual and how it relates to our bonding. I’ve been privy to enough of these sorts of meetings to know how to read the room, and the last thing I'm going to do is undermine Steve and what he’s just told the Emperor.
“You understand that I have decreed all orcs are to be imprisoned, and I do meanallorcs. Green-skins are no longer welcome in Realm Six.” His eyes squint so hard you would think he was trying to read Steve's mind. Several guards walk into the room, joining the two stationed by the Emperor. “Of course, we will keep your human safe. She is a valuable possession to have in my kingdom.”
Steve clenches his hand, my own getting trapped within his hold. “Yes, I am aware of the order. Need I remind you that I am from Realm Seven and your ruling does not apply to me or my bonded. I have committed no crimes in your city, but I have shared many Aureus coins. Tell me, Emperor, why are the impish so hungry?”
His eyes flare as he realises Steve's challenge. “My imps are controlled!” he spits. “The city of Imperia forgot who was in charge, so I simply pushed them in the right direction. Your damned brother–– ugh, nevermind. Your brother belongs in the cells. I've been informed he was removed without my permission.”
Steve’s breathing picks up beside me. “If I may,” I wave my hand in the air, gaining everyone’s attention, Steve's hand tightening once again, “I believe the inter-Realm rules state bonds must not be separated.”
“So the pet talks,” the Emperor smirks, looking to Steve for a reaction. Unfortunately for the Emperor, I'm not naive to his intentions.
“How original,” I say, rolling my eyes. Letting go of Steve's hand, I stroll forward a few steps, pretending to take in the large room. “I believe the Devil monitors the inter-Realm rules?” I have no clue, but I'm trying to play off what Steve said to the guards down in the prison. If they were affected by the reminder, then I'm sure everyone has to follow those rules regardless of status. It wouldn’t work if others were exempt from them.
“This is my Realm, human. Remember your place.”
The guard to the left of us slowly withdraws his sheathed sword, his eyes flickering a bright red as the steel drags across his metal chest plate, the screeching sound drawing everyone’s attention.
“Do you challenge the Devil’s rules?” I question. Even I'm shocked at my confidence.Earth Rosie could never. “Should we summon?—”
