"I need to tell Drak about the plan."
She nodded, but the disappointment in her blue eyes almost made me forget about my duty. I kissed her one last time, tasting her on my lips.
"I’ll see you at dinner, krash'uk."
Chapter 25
The days dragged on in Oksha, with no sign of the Autumn Court seeking vengeance. Malek met daily with Kroshak, Drak, and the other clan elders to discuss the alliance with Ceilte. Leone remained secluded in the hut, but he was well, recovering quickly thanks to Uruha’s ointments and his Fae metabolism.
No one knew about the curse or my true identity. To the Okshai, I was simply the new krash’uk—the female who had claimed the heart of the Ruk’hai. Every time I passed someone, they bowed, even Ni’kira. After our mating, she no longer tried to approach my orc and kept their relationship formal, as warriors.
Speaking of my Ruk’hai, his absence followed me almost constantly, like a silent shadow. There had been a time when we spent hours together, learning Okshakai, sparring, giving in whenever desire burned too brightly to ignore. Now, he was always busy. And when I did see him, it was only in passing—just enough for a few quiet words and stolen kisses when no one was looking.
The bargain and our mating, which for the Oksha served as an engagement before the blessing ritual, had given me a place in the clan, but it had also demanded a price: his time.
In the mornings, I trained with Drak. He was patient and playful, but very demanding. Kalisha appeared sometimes, but not to train; she only observed, her brow furrowed, her usual austere expression firmly in place. Whatever was unfolding between her and Drak was a slow, painful dance to witness.
In the afternoons, Leone’s cabin was my refuge. Only a select group of orcs knew of his presence, and a single order from Malek had been enough to ensure that no one approached the hut where he was staying.
"I can't stand staying here anymore," he grumbled for the fifth time that hour, tossing and turning on the bed of furs.
"We’re almost ready," I replied, smiling as I sharpened the axe I now carried with me. "Just a few more days."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, which, without the oils and perfumes of Ceilte, had lost some of its luster.
"This is ridiculous. I’m the heir to Ceilte, and I’m hidden away like a fugitive."
"You are a fugitive," I countered, refusing to let my patience wear thin. "The Autumn Court wants you for a reason, and Malek’s risking his life and his entire clan to protect you."
"I know! It’s just... I’ve never felt so useless."
"Have patience, brother," I said. "Soon you’ll be able to bathe in the blood of your enemies."
He rolled his eyes before fixing his gaze on me.
"And you? How are things with your nearly eleven-foot-tall orc?"
"Very well," a smile escaped before I could contain it. "But I’m anxious. If Fenric’s truly moving the pieces for a coup, we need to act fast."
Leone agreed, his expression clouding over.
"I wish we knew how they are," he said.
My heart tightened at the memory of my parents and Kristan. I couldn't even imagine what was happening in Ceilteat this moment, but I hoped they were well, especially Kristan. My mother and father knew how to defend themselves, but my childhood friend did not. She barely knew how to use the common magic that every High Fae was capable of using.
"They’ll be fine," I said, trying to sound more confident than I actually felt. "Mama would skin anyone who dared to lay a finger on Papa. You know that."
I finally managed to draw a laugh from him—brief, but sincere. I hated seeing Leone so miserable, but we didn't have much of a choice. Malek couldn't simply introduce him to the clan, not without knowing for sure that Alasdair would strike a deal with him.
"What will you do if the deal doesn't work?"
That was the question that haunted me. I knew I wanted to stay with Malek, even if it meant renouncing Ceilte and my title. The curse was a distant memory to me and, to be honest, I would rather not break it. If I did, what would happen to Malek? Would he still accept me as a High Fae?
And the other orcs? How would they react to that? I highly doubted they would accept a High Fae as krash’uk.
"There’s no other possibility, Leo," I replied. "For the sake of the people of Ceilte and Oksha, peace is the only path. We can’t allow hatred and greed for power to destroy what remains of both our homes."
"It won't be easy," he warned me.
