“Oh,” I smile at him. He's trying so hard, I don't want to knock his confidence. “That was a great attempt. Kissing can be hard for some people, so if we practice enough, we will get you there. Maybe you can get a few tips from Steve?”
His brow furrows for a second before he stops, gesturing wide at what we’ve stopped before.
Thrones.
There are thrones.
Two hefty ones and in the middle, raised higher than the others, is one that is the perfect size for a human.For me. I will sit almost eye level with my orcs. I will not be an ornament in the background or a pawn in a larger game.
I will be their equal.
Steve comes and stands at our side, his hands carrying several plates of food for us. Bellator places me on the ground, and with a tentative step, I take my seat in the middle.
Bellator sits for less than a minute before he stands, welcoming an unknown older imp dressed in dark grey armour.
“Ruler Andook, thank you for making the trip. I trust your lodgings are sufficient?”
“Yes. Yes, they are. The West thanks you for your hospitality.”
“Is that?” I look to Steve.
“Yes, Princess, it is. Bellator ended the war in less than a day. I understand the West were protecting their borders, the Emperor… he lied to so many… for so long, that in the end, no one other than him wanted to keep it going. Each year, the West tried to negotiate peace, but it was never agreed until the first day of Bellator's reign.”
I sit with those words. The cruelty, the death that could have been prevented if the Emperor acted in thebest interest of his city and not the selfish needs of his own.
Three large men approach where we sit, and I scramble from my seat, taking in their flannel and denim.
What in the afterlife is going on here!
“You’re—you’re human,” I gasp. Not having seen another human in this Realm.
Steve rushes to my side, Bellator standing just in front of me, blocking my view. A wall of muscle will not prevent me from talking to these people. I have so many questions. How did they get here? Do they live in this Realm? Do they know where I can get an eye mask so it feels like I sleep in the dark?
“Forgive us, highness, we are not human. I regret any upset this causes you.” Ducking around Steve and then under Bellator's arm, I look up at the man who is well over six feet. Taller than your average, for sure. “I don't understand? You look— you look like a lumberjack.”
“My name is Beau. Beau Callahan from Pack Ironwood.”
“Pack?”
“We’re hellhounds, Highness. I would shift to show you, however, both of your bondeds are looking like they might rip my head off if I do. Wouldn't want to cause an inter-Realm incident and all that,” he says, waving his hand in the air like he's talking about the weather. Beau and the two men with him look likethey've stepped off the pages of Mountain Man Cosmo. Their skin has a glow to it like they've built up a light sweat from chopping wood. Rough voices, and five o’clock shadows, as well as a mutual love of jeans that fit in all the right places.
There is absolutely zero attraction flaming from me, even thinking of it has me feeling woozy, but I can still appreciate the distinct touch of human they bring to the room. Only they’re not.
Shifters.
“We best be moving on, the queue is starting to grow, but I wanted to pay my respects to the new Orc King. What you've done in such a short time is something to be proud of.” He says to Bellator, nodding at Steve before returning his attention to me. “We travel to Earth often, Highness. If there was ever someone you wanted us to pay a visit to. Good or bad. As a sign of peace between our Realms, we would grant you that option without contract.” Dipping his head at me like a cowboy without his hat, he says goodbye to Steve and Bellator, the three of them merging into the crowd that now waits to meet the new King.
“Contract?” I mouth to Steve.
“We will talk later,” he smiles at me.
The sudden flash of black smoke explodes before us, wisps lingering like what surrounded the Emperor when he died.That means…Standing in its place is a slender creature, similar height to my own. This time,Steve picks me up, taking several steps back, turning slightly so I'm shielded.
“What a joy to meet the new Orc King of Realm Six. I worked very closely with the Emperor and I want to express the same offer to you as he asked of me.”
“What did he ask?” Bellator growls.
“A simple thing, really. Power. By any means necessary.”
