Page 5

Chapter Five

Axum

The human’s weight is slight in my arms when I scoop him up. I am not sure if he was overwhelmed being in unfamiliar surroundings or if he was hurt from running headlong into the barrier. He has a small bump on his forehead, so I believe it was his trying to escape that hurt him.

During our short conversation, he did not seem to be afraid or upset by his current predicament. In fact, he took seeing me, Olog, and Larek in stride, even making a joke. Who is this human? Usually when humans or elves or fairies drift through our barriers, it takes some getting used to for them to speak to any orc without fear in their voice. Not Rainn with two n’s. He took seeing three large orcs like it was an everyday occurrence.

Looking down at his face, I am struck anew with a funny feeling in my chest. When I laid eyes on him, I felt like a spider, trapped in the web of his gaze. I did not know what to make of it and I had to force myself to speak, asking if he was well. Of course he could not speak Orcish, so he could not understand me. But what I felt when he looked at me did not leave. It intensified when I touched him to help him up, something shifting in my chest. Like something long buried had been found. I do not know what it is and do not know who to ask.

Human facial features are still foreign to me, but I know the man in my arms is striking. He is so handsome, so fair of face with smooth, chestnut-brown skin that looks soft and delicate. Long black hair done in a complex style, secured on top of his head snugly. A bow-shaped mouth and a delicate nose sits perfectly in the middle of his face. Fine features that remind me of something precious. In short, this human is radiant. I have never seen someone such as him.

“What will you do with him, Your Grace?” Larek says as we come within view of the palace.

“Do?” I ask, dragging my eyes away from Rainn with effort.

Larek smirks. “Yes. Anyone that crosses the barrier usually goes to?—”

“He will stay with me,” I say abruptly, my heart clenching at the thought of Rainn being anywhere else.

“Of course,” Olog says, bowing to me, though an expression I can’t name crosses his face. Happiness? Smugness, maybe? “Shall I summon healers for him?”

Before I can walk up the lane to get him to the palace and out of the heat of the day, Larek steps in front of me, looking down at Rainn. He grips his chin and turns his face towards him, studying Rainn’s visage in concentration.

Larek looks at me in surprise, his hand jerking from Rainn’s chin quickly. It takes a moment to realize that I am growling. I am sure my eyes flash with anger, the violet reflecting off his green skin as I stare him down.

Shaking my head, I take a small step back from Larek, but bring Rainn closer to my chest. “Have a healer come to my chambers. And cancel all of my appointments for the rest of the day.”

Both Larek and Olog bow. “As you wish,” Larek says, looking both contrite and smug. Yes, it was smugness on Olog’s face too. I wonder if it was because of the conversation we had on the way here? That is something to ponder at a later time.

Larek hands me Rainn’s discarded bag and I hold it in a firm grip but avoid jostling Rainn. It takes us less time to get back to the palace than it did getting to the portal, as we did not take any detours or walk at a leisurely pace.

When we step through the palace doors, I beeline to the stairs, taking them two at a time to get Rainn to my third floor chambers. I push into the room, leaving the door open so my advisors and healers can enter.

It concerns me that he hasn’t regained consciousness, even after a fifteen-minute walk back to my palace, but he is still breathing so I know he has not expired. I am worried about a possible head injury, however.

I place him on the bed, moving my many pillows away from his face so he can breathe. I forcibly push away the thought of how much I think he belongs there. Rainn is a stranger. I do not know him. I cannot have these feelings cramped in my chest for him when we have known each other for mere moments.

Well, fuck.

I sit on my chaise by the window, my thoughts running a mile a minute. This is what Nash meant when he said my mate would come to me when I least expected it. I did not expect a human male, but there is no other explanation. I feel too strongly about him after such a brief encounter for him to be anything other than my mate.

As I stare at him from across the room, I imagine him in my life until the end of our days. Even after only a short conversation, my world would be darker if he were to leave, even though I do not know him and I have not claimed him.

Fuck, this human came through the barrier…for me.

Larek was correct—the feeling between fated mates is intense.

Before I can spiral deeper into my thoughts, there’s a knock at my chamber doors. When I meet the healer’s eyes, I wave them inside.

I wish I had the skills to heal with magic, but I do not. All orcs are capable of using magic, but we all cannot use the same brand of magic. There are those, like me, that can use magic to help with day-to-day tasks, like communicating with telepathy, heating my bathing pool, enchanting a piece of jewelry to use as a language translator with foreigners; whereas others use magic for their trades, such as tailors and blacksmiths, and yet others who use magic to heal. Everyone has their gifts.

The healer bows to me, then looks over at Rainn. “What happened, Your Highness?” he asks, keeping his distance from Rainn until I give permission. Larek must have told him that he suspected Rainn was my mate.

Fucking Larek.

“He ran headlong into the barrier after it solidified.” I wave my hand to Rainn so the healer can approach.

It takes but a moment for the healer to use a spell to check his condition. “He is just resting, Your Highness. He does not have a concussion, just a nasty bump from the barrier. He will be fine after a day or two of rest.” After he bows again, he leaves me alone with Rainn.

My mate.

I never thought I would find a mate. My job as ruler of this land is too trying to court anyone and I refused an arranged marriage. Though my parents' marriage was not terrible, they could never be with the people they chose for themselves. I never wanted that for myself.

But with Rainn here, I can have who the gods meant for me. What will he say to that? He just walked into a world unknown to him. How will he react knowing an orc wants to claim him?

Rainn stirs on the bed, groaning softly. I want to rush over to him, but I do not want to scare him. I am over seven-feet-tall and more than three hundred pounds. That would scare anyone, especially a dainty human such as him.

He sits up slowly, looking around groggily. When his gaze clashes with mine, his eyes widen. His mouth forms a perfect ‘o’ before it stretches into a smile. “I didn’t think you were real.”

“I am very much real, Rainn with two n’s.”

He looks down shyly before he gasps. Rainn throws his legs over the side of the bed and looks around. He lets out an a-ha! when he spots his bag hear the bed. He pulls it up to rest near him. “Shit! What time is it? I have to call my friend and let him know I’m stuck here. Wait, am I even on Earth?” I shrug. What is Urrth?

He holds a device in the air and scrunches his face. “No service. Where can I get bars around here?”

I shake my head. “Your human machines will not work here. I am sorry. You cannot contact your friend.”

Rainn sighs and tosses his device back in the bag. “Just my luck, I suppose. When can I go back home?”

Slowly, I shake my head. “Not right now. There is…not right now.”

“That blows.” He lies back on the bed, then moans sinfully. One of my hands drops in front of my groin, my cock growing half hard at the noise. “Holy fuck, this bed is soft. What is it? Memory foam?”

I frown. “I am not sure what that is, but it is made from Leocsela feathers.”

“Leoc—what?” he asks, his face a mask of confusion.

Smiling, I explain what Leoscelas are, as well as telling him a few more animals native to Belzod. “But our pillows and bedding are made from their feathers and fur,” I finish.

“So weird for an animal to have feathers and fur.” Rainn smiles at me, tucking his legs under him. His smile wavers. “I like this place, from what little I saw of it, but my best friend will be worried. I hate that I can’t tell him what happened.”

I feel for him. I could ask a human that has been claimed to deliver the message, but any human that comes through the portal has no desire to leave but for a short time. And wherever they are from is where the portal sends them back to. The human may not want to travel to the “Merry-land” Rainn spoke of.

I broach the idea to Rainn, but he only shakes his head. “No, that’s okay. It would be best for him to know, but I don’t want to put anyone out because of my curiosity.” I wonder at his statement, but do not ask questions. Rainn lets out a humorless laugh. “Besides, I think Kai would try to come here himself and would beat himself up if he couldn’t get through the portal. It was solid for me when I tried to go back, so I know it will be solid for him trying to get in.” Rainn pulls his knees to his chest. “I guess it’s for the best. I’ve always wanted to meet an orc.”

My eyebrows now rise on my forehead. “Truly? Why?”

His cheeks darken with a blush and he lowers his gaze, picking at the sheet. “For… reasons.” He glances around nervously, taking in my room as he fiddles with his fingers. “Is this your room?”

“It is. Would you like me to show you around?”

Rainn perks up, his eyes bright. “Yes. Oh god, yes. Please.” But when he stands, he sways on his feet.

I rush over to him and lower him back to the bed. “Maybe tomorrow. The healer said you would need to rest for a day or two after you hit your head.”

He nods, then hisses. “Good call. Can I sleep here or will I?—”

“You may sleep here. I can sleep in another chamber.”

“No,” he rushes to say, holding up his hands as if to stop me from leaving. “No, you can stay here. This bed is gigantic. There’s enough room for us both. Besides…” He lowers his eyes and lets out a shuddering breath. “Something inside me doesn’t want you to leave quite yet. Even the thought of it makes me feel jittery. Weird, huh?”

It is on the tip of my tongue to tell him about fated mates, but from what I understand about his species, they do not believe in them. I am sure I would scare him if I broached the subject. Soon. I will tell him soon. Just not while he is healing from his injury.

I sit on the bed beside him. “No, it is not. If you would like, you can rest. It is close to dusk. From what past humans have said, there is a time progression of close to six hours when you cross the barrier. Your sleep cycle will regulate quickly though.”

Rainn nods, eyes wide with interest. “Yeah. Okay. Crazy how crossing what felt like a freezing cold waterfall could basically teleport me to the future.”

I give him a small, reassuring smile. “Would you like something to eat? I can go to the kitchens and gather you an evening meal?”

“You don’t have to do that,” he says, trying to sit up.

I press my hand lightly to his shoulder so he can lie back down. “It would be my pleasure. I will just be a moment. Rest until I come back. If you are up to it after dinner, we can talk more. Alright?”

He smiles at me, still unsure, but not exactly scared. What an odd human. “Alright. Thank you, Axum.”

With a smile on my face, I leave my chambers to gather dinner for my mate.