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Guruk smiles. “There’s an opening for the General of the Northern Horde, and I am going to recommend you for the position. You’ve more than earned your own command, and I cannot selfishly keep you in my cohort forever just because we are friends.”

“My Prince is too generous,” I respond carefully, not refuting his claim that we are friends, even though I do not feel the same. I also do not tell him that I do not want to be General of the Northern Horde. Though my clan lands are in the north, being General means that I would still be required to spend too much time away from home and family. It is a position and honor that I have never wanted. So I say, “I would be happy to remain in your cohort. The orcs that serve under you are the finest in the kingdom.”

“Nonsense,” Guruk says, waving away my words with his free hand. “You saved my life, and that must be rewarded. You are a warrior without peer. It would be a waste of your skills to stay in my cohort indefinitely. Especially with the war against Goetia brewing.”

So Salthu was right. There is another war on the horizon. My family’s lands feel far away, and my heart feels like it’s bleeding in my chest. The most perfect female I have ever seen is bound to another, and I cannot even go home to lick my wounds. But refusing the appointment would be foolish. Guruk has a temper that he hides under his friendly smiles. If he feels slighted, my clan could be the one that pays the price for my stubbornness.

So, with a heavy heart, I make the sign of respect. “Then I accept, and thank you for this honor, My Prince. I will not let you down.”

Guruk is all smiles at my words. “Then it is done. As soon as we return to Orik, I will submit your name to my father, who I’m sure will approve the appointment. Congratulations in advance . . . General.”

Melelea gives me a shy smile as well, though she leans against Guruk’s arm, another dagger in my chest. “Congratulations.”

I give a stiff bow, my fists still on my chest. “Thank you, Prince Guruk, Lady Melelea. I will leave you both to your feasting and see if those on guard need relief.”

“Good old Brother Wodred,” laughs Guruk. “Always on duty, never relaxing. I suppose that’s what will make you a good General.”

I give another bow and stiffly walk down from the head banquet table. I cannot remain in this room for another moment. I catch Salthu’s eye as I exit the room, and he raises his brows in a question that I cannot answer.

Making my way out into the night, I find myself on the battlements of the troll king’s castle under the night sky. With a great sigh, I lean against the stone wall behind me and look up at the stars that sparkle above me. In one conversation, my life has been ruined. The only female that has ever roused my Mating Instinct is in the arms of another, and more war and death loom in the distance.

My only consolation is that if I am leading a war in Goetia, I won’t have to visit the castle at Ilustan and see Melelea with Guruk. See her happy and heavy with children, mated to someone who doesn’t know the treasure that he has. That would kill me, I think.

And one thing is for certain. These feelings that I am having for Melelea? No one can ever know.

Especially her.