Page 22 of His Noble Savior (Folk of Vale #3)

Lilian

Lilian awoke to the sound of approaching footsteps. His fingers, which he’d curled into loose fists at his chest, were stiff with the cold of the night. It wasn’t dark anymore though. Sunlight fell onto him, a reprieve from the brisk wind that’d blown all night. With the heavy rug as a shield at the entrance missing, the frigid air had kept him up for hours, during which he’d lain shivering. He couldn’t go on like this. He had to get something that’d keep him warm. But as much as he would’ve liked to steal back his blanket and rug from Flora, he feared her retribution.

A shadow fell on Lilian. His heart leaped into his throat. This meant nothing good. He wanted to move, to run, but he was frozen in fear. Whoever had found him might as well take what they wanted. He was too weak to fight, and with the entrance blocked, he had nowhere to run, so he played dead.

The rustling of clothes. A weight dropping onto the floor.

Warm, gentle hands on his body. The scent of sandalwood. “Lilian?” His name was a choked-out question.

“Richard?” Lilian sat up, blinking the sleep from his eyes. A hazel-green gaze shone on him with concern. “Richard!” It was a sob. Lilian flung his arms around him, toppling him to the ground. Richard’s arms came around him, held him. The relief was so sweet, Lilian wanted to cry. He lay his head on Richard’s chest.

“I found you,” Richard said, burying a hand in Lilian’s hair. “I found you.”

“You came for me,” Lilian said, barely believing Richard was here, his scent filling his nostrils, making every muscle go lax. He pulled back to look at him. Richard’s eyes were glassy. “Why?”

A sad smile spread on Richard’s lips. “Because you’re everything. My whole reason to live became finding you, making sure you were safe. I had to get to you.”

“You shouldn’t have come to the faerie realm. It’s dangerous.”

Richard brushed a thumb over Lilian’s cheekbone. “Are you saying you won’t protect me?”

And at that, Lilian laughed. He cried. “Of course I’ll protect you.” He kissed Richard, desperate and grateful. Their lips brushing together was calming reassurance. It washed his loneliness away and wrapped him in safety. He put all his emotions into the kiss, hoping to convey how much Richard coming for him meant.

“What about Bellerose?” Lilian asked when they came up for air. “She’s going to be affronted that you’re here instead of planning the wedding.”

“I don’t give a damn about Bellerose.”

“But…” Was Richard serious? He couldn’t afford to not care. “Don’t you need her knights? The protection she can offer?”

“I do need her knights,” Richard said, and the next words seemed to cause him agony. “Without Bellerose, I can’t protect my people. But I can’t marry her when it means giving you up. My heart bled out when you were gone. I refuse to be with anyone but you. I need you in my life, and I don’t want to be married to and share my soul with someone else. I’d rather let the world go up in flames than be without you. If that means I’m a selfish man, so be it, but I won’t abandon you. I won’t choose anything or anyone over you.”

Never in his life had someone made Lilian a priority. He’d been betrayed and deserted time and again, and here Richard was, crossing a kingdom to ensure he was safe. A knot in his heart came undone.

“You care about me,” Lilian said, unable to hide the wonder in his voice.

Richard tightened his hold on Lilian. “I care about you more than words can say.”

Lilian slanted their mouths together and kissed him, slow and deep. With Richard, all his defenses came down.

“You have my deepest gratitude,” Lilian said as they parted and sat up. “I can’t express how much this means. I’m sorry I ran and put you through this.”

“There’s no need to apologize. The orc scared you. You feared for your life, and you ran. That’s a normal reaction. I came after you to ensure you’re safe, to protect you if needed. I want to be there for you if you let me.”

“Of course,” Lilian said and took Richard’s hands in his. “I’ll always want you. You’ve done so much for me, and I swear, I’ll pay my debts. You know I’m bound by those words. What a fae says cannot be taken back. My heart belongs to you.”

“Then I’ll treasure it.” Richard kissed Lilian’s knuckles.

Lilian’s gaze fell on Richard’s bag. “You brought a lot. It looks heavy.”

“I didn’t know how long I’d have to stay in the faerie realm to find you.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Just a feeling.” Richard grabbed his bag and loosened the buckles holding it closed.

Lilian could feel the weight of the things Richard didn’t say. Like how long he’d searched for him. The hardships he endured to get here. The sacrifices he’d made.

Richard retrieved a small package wrapped in cloth from his bag. Unfolding it, he revealed rations of bread and cheese.

“You look hungry,” Richard said and handed them to Lilian, whose stomach growled in response. “Good thing I brought something to eat.”

“I appreciate your kindness,” Lilian said. “It looks delicious.”

“Just something to keep you going.”

Lilian took a big bite. “It’s the best food I’ve had since I ran.”

Richard’s lips thinned. “You haven’t eaten much.” A statement, not a question. He went quiet for a moment, taking in the empty hollow tree. “Is this your home?”

“Yes. Or it used to be. It wasn’t always this barren. As it turns out, my friend Flora took my possessions while I was gone. She won’t return them. Some things can be replaced, but she’s also holding onto very personal items.”

Richard placed a hand on Lilian’s knee. “Do you want them back?”

“I don’t always get what I want. Often I don’t. But you’re here, and that’s more than I could’ve asked for. It means everything.” He placed his hand on Richard’s. “You mean everything.”

Richard turned his hand and linked their fingers. “What do you want to do? Where do you want to go?”

Lilian took another bite of the bread and cheese. He didn’t have an immediate answer. As long as he was with Richard, everything was fine.

“Do you want to stay in the faerie realm?” Richard probed. “It’s nice here, lots of flowers. If you like, I can stay with you.”

Lilian must’ve misheard. “You’d stay with me?”

The sacrifice was too big. Richard’s family was in the human world. If he ate faerie food while here, he’d never be able to go home. Plus, not all spring fae were kind. Richard would be protected from the orcs but not from other dangers.

“I’d stay anywhere with you,” Richard said. He shook his head. “I don’t care anymore. For a week, I thought I’d lost you. I was worried something had happened to you. If you allow it, I won’t let you out of my sight again. Ever.”

“Then don’t. I’ll return to Somerdale Castle with you. You belong with your family, with your people.”

“This is your home, though.”

Lilian shrugged. “It was. I love this tree. I spent so many hours here, making pottery, eating, sleeping… My whole life used to be here, but now there’s you, and I want to be where you belong. I want to come home with you.”

“How about the things Flora took?” Richard asked.

Lilian stroked his thumb over the back of Richard’s hand. His kindness knew no bounds. “Flora took my belongings not because she’s a bad person, but because she’s poor. She’s always had more than me, but that means nothing. She needs my things more than I do.” Because I have you .

“But you said she has some items of sentimental value to you?”

“There’s a blanket that used to comfort me and keep me warm at night. There’s a comb, the brushes I used for painting clay… These things aren’t worth a lot, but they’ve accompanied me through hard times.”

“We’ll get them.”

Lilian finished his food, grateful for every bite. It revived his strength. He held Richard’s hand, never wanting to be apart again.

Afterward, Lilian led Richard to Flora’s cave. The green of the forest was brighter with Richard by his side. Moss squelched under their feet, and above them in the trees, goldcrests chirped.

“Don’t divulge your full name or that you’re a nobleman,” Lilian said as they approached. “The former gives her power over you, and the latter will make her seek your gold.”

Most likely, Richard knew this already and had a secret middle name only he and his late parents knew—a common precaution against the power of fae—but Lilian preferred to be safe.

Flora wasn’t alone when they arrived at her cave. The male fae was working on Lilian’s potter’s wheel while Flora was painting a flower pot, her brush drawing trees and leaves.

“Lilian,” she said, not sounding happy to see him. “You’ve brought a human for reinforcements?”

“That’s the best he could do,” the male fae scoffed.

“My name is Richard. I’d like to offer payment for Lilian’s belongings.”

Flora set her brush aside and got up. “Payment?”

“Two silver pennies for his blanket, comb and paint brushes.”

Flora stalked toward them, and Lilian shuffled closer to Richard, moving between them. Richard was his protector, but Lilian had greater strength, and he didn’t want him to get hurt.

“Show me what’s in your bag,” Flora said.

“Don’t,” Lilian said. “It’s not worth it. You don’t want to give anything personal.” An item with a close connection to its owner could be used for dangerous magical purposes.

“I have some provisions, clothing, and a blanket,” Richard said. “My offer is equal in value to Lilian’s things. Would this be acceptable to you?”

Flora asked to inspect the items, and Richard laid them out on a small table. They came to an agreement, and under Flora’s watchful eyes, Lilian gathered his belongings and packed them into Richard’s bag. The sleek finish of his comb and the fluffiness of his blanket brought back memories of happy times in his hollow tree. Lilian wouldn’t return, and he was glad to be able to take a few things from his old life to his new one.

The items Richard had given Flora showed no wear. They were unused and had no spiritual connection to Richard. It pacified Lilian.

Lilian led Richard out of the Spring Court. They found Richard’s horse where he’d left it and rode for Somerdale Castle. For the umpteenth time, Richard had saved him.

The journey home took several days. This time, there was no urgency, and they went easy on the horse. The first night, they stayed at a roadside inn. Richard gave Lilian’s blanket to the maid for a wash and invited him to a bountiful dinner in the downstairs tavern. The innkeeper brought wine and generous servings of vegetable stew and hearty pies to their table. The savory scent of the food hit Lilian, making him salivate. He was still hungry after the rations he’d received from Richard in his hollow tree and the lunch they’d enjoyed along the way. He ate big spoonfuls of the stew, which warmed his belly. Delicious. He tried the pies, too. They were seasoned with herbs and spices and delighted him with their rich taste.

After dinner, they cuddled up in their big, downy bed in a room under the roof. With the comfortable mattress and Richard by his side, it was going to be the best night’s sleep Lilian had gotten in a long time. He kissed Richard and threw an arm across his middle, nestling close.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Richard pulled the duvet up to their waists.

“Oh?” Lilian glanced up at him. The light of the lamp they’d left burning cast a golden shine on Richard’s curls. He wrapped his arms around Lilian, who relaxed into the embrace, inhaling deeply. How had he survived without Richard?

“Nathan’s come home.”

“That’s wonderful news!”

Richard thinned his lips as if contemplating what to say next. “There’s more to it. He arrived the day you ran, and…”

“And what?”

“Nathan wasn’t alone. The orc you saw is with Nathan.”

“What do you mean?”

Richard exhaled. “They’re a couple.”

Lilian shot up to stare at Richard. “A couple?” That couldn’t be right.

“I sat with them that night. Listened. Talked. I know this must come as a shock. Nathan told me that he and the orc, Ogharod, have bonded, whatever that means. They’re romantically involved.”

A tremor shook Lilian. “There’s nothing romantic about orcs. This is romantic.” He gestured between them. “Orcs are beasts who take men whenever they feel like it. That’s violence, not romance.”

Lilian descended into quivers, and Richard hugged him close, calming him.

“I don’t understand it either, but Nathan says he’s happy with Ogharod. He looked happy. And Ogharod… he was protective. Had Nathan sitting in his lap, arms around him. Nathan nestled against him as we spoke. It was bizarre seeing my brother cuddling with an orc, but Ogharod wasn’t forcing him. They were comfortable with each other.”

“Are you telling me Nathan sits in an orc’s lap like I sit in yours?” Lilian asked with incredulity.

“Kind of.”

“How is that possible? Are you sure the orc isn’t violating him the minute you aren’t looking?”

“I’m sure. The way Nathan looks at him speaks volumes. He’s dedicated to Ogharod. Which is why I’m bringing it up with you. Nathan vouched for Ogharod, promising he isn’t a threat, but for now, they’re staying in an old house outside the castle walls. I haven’t revealed what happened to you, that’s your story to tell, but when you ran from Ogharod, they made some educated guesses. I want you to feel safe when we return and that’d be impossible with an orc under the same roof as you. It’s bad enough that there’s one in the vicinity. I have two knights guarding the house, and Nathan promised there’ll be no incidents. Are you comfortable with this arrangement? I assure you, Ogharod won’t set foot into Somerdale Castle without your consent.”

Lilian rested his head on Richard’s chest. There was an orc staying outside the castle. It made him nervous, no use denying that. Why did Nathan trust this orc? Why did he allow the orc to touch him? Didn’t the beast disgust him?

“Did you speak with the orc as well?” Lilian asked.

“Yes, in the presence of Nathan and two knights.”

“What’s he like?”

Richard chuckled. “He grunts a lot, and there’s a strong smell to him, but he’s friendly. I didn’t feel threatened. In fact, I was able to hold an amicable conversation with him.”

Lilian was silent for a while, turning it over in his head. “All right,” he finally said. “He can stay in the old house.”

Richard laced his fingers into Lilian’s hair, massaging his scalp, making him purr. “Nathan and Ogharod also said they’d like to speak with you if you allowed it.”

Lilian stiffened. “Why?”

“I’m not sure. As I said, they’ve got the general idea of what happened to you; maybe Ogharod wants to express his regret.”

“I’ll think about it.” Lilian nuzzled Richard’s chest. “You must be happy to have your brother back.”

“I am, though I wish they’d returned sooner. Nathan was hesitant to come back—he loves me and George, but he also loves Ogharod. He was worried that if he showed up with an orc, we might try and separate them. They came home because the war is getting worse. Nathan is hoping that if humans see that not all orcs are bad, the conflict can be resolved peacefully. He’s proposing negotiations between the Valian nobility and the orcs’ most powerful chief—Farigoth the Ravager.”

“What a trust-inspiring moniker.”

“At least Nathan didn’t come home with that one,” Richard snorted. “I don’t know what my parents would say if they knew about this… their youngest falling for an orc, and their second son becoming a slave to an imp. It makes my affronting Bellerose less dramatic.”

“And bedding a light fae is harmless in comparison to bringing home imps and orcs.”

“Oh yes,” Richard said, with so much amusement in his voice that Lilian looked up.

They grinned at each other, and Lilian stole a peck. Richard chased his mouth and captured his lips in a sensual kiss.

“Let’s make up for lost time,” Lilian said and pulled off his nightshirt.

Richard fetched and applied the faerie oil, and then Lilian rode him. Rising and falling on Richard’s cock, Lilian lost himself in the thumps against his core until he clenched and spilled. His release on Richard’s chest was quickly followed by a hot, wet spot blooming deep inside of him. It sent Lilian into another climax, and his convulsing hole milked Richard.

The ride to Somerdale Castle was uneventful. They took their time, resting for lunch and dismounting early if they found an inn they liked. At night, they slept in each other’s arms, covered by Lilian’s blanket.

“Bellerose has departed,” George informed them when they arrived in Somerdale Castle’s inner courtyard. He wore the neck of his shirt unlaced, proudly displaying his collar.

“I’m not surprised,” Richard said, handing the reins of the horse to the stable master so she could lead it away.

Bellerose wanted a political marriage, but even under those circumstances, she couldn’t allow a suitor to run after someone else. It wasn’t proper.

“I’m sorry,” Lilian said, looking at his feet.

“Don’t be.” Richard slung an arm around his waist. “It was my decision, and I did what was right. Bellerose and I wouldn’t have worked out—I’d never have let you go.”

They returned to Richard’s chambers and resumed their routine as if Bellerose had never been at Somerdale Castle. There were no further letters to the Spring Court, and Richard didn’t speak of marriage again. On the one hand, Lilian was glad to have Richard to himself; on the other, he worried about House Dalton’s future.

Eventually, he agreed to a meeting with Nathan and the orc. He’d seen the old house outside the castle walls, and it resembled a shack more than a home. He felt bad that Nathan was staying outside when his rooms in the castle were empty. If Lilian met the orc in a safe environment, he could form an opinion of him, and if he deemed him safe, the orc and Nathan could move into the castle. Lilian had grown used to Resh, and maybe it’d be the same with the orc, though he doubted it. At his request, Richard arranged a meeting in the grand drawing room—Lilian liked its rustic, comforting atmosphere.

“How are you feeling?” Richard asked as they approached.

“Nervous.”

“I’ll be with you the whole time, and knights are stationed in the hallway.” Richard nodded toward the armed women on the landing. “George and Resh are nearby, and Nathan is there to control Ogharod if need be.”

How Nathan was supposed to control an orc Lilian didn’t know, but if push came to shove, they outnumbered the beast. That at least gave him confidence. Orcs were strong, but several humans, an imp and a light fae were enough to restrain one.

“Nathan and Ogharod are already inside,” Richard explained, “and they’ll wait for us to leave before they go. That way, Ogharod will never be between you and the door.”

He signaled the knight, and she opened the door to the drawing room. The stench of orc hit Lilian, and a wave of nausea overcame him, his throat tightening. He clutched Richard, who braced him with strong hands.

“We can always stop,” Richard said. “We don’t have to go in.”

“It’s fine,” Lilian croaked. The smell made him gag, and his palms were clammy with cold sweat, but he wouldn’t back down. Richard and Nathan claimed the orc wasn’t dangerous, and Lilian had to see for himself. If anyone recognized an evil orc at first glance, it was him. With Richard’s arm around his middle steadying him, Lilian stepped through the two-winged door.

The orc sat on a divan at the far end of the room. Even sitting down, he was taller than Lilian. A large blanket enwrapped him, and he absent-mindedly scratched the skin underneath with his large fingers. Orcs didn’t wear clothing beyond stupidly tiny loincloths—showing off their powerful build was supposed to scare off enemies and attract mates. Nathan, high color on his cheeks, sat in the orc’s lap, leaning in to press a languid kiss to his lips. The orc petted Nathan’s head, inadvertently mussing his hair with his big hand.

They looked up when Lilian and Richard entered, the orc more slowly than Nathan as if he feared a sudden move might send Lilian running. He wasn’t wrong.

Lilian’s eyes connected with the orc’s, and his heart skipped a beat. His knees gave in, and he slumped against Richard, who caught him. At the sight of Lilian’s shakiness, the orc looked away. It gave Lilian a chance to calm down. Having an orc’s attention on him had always ended in pain, and only once the giant in front of him started studying the intricate patterns of the carpet, Lilian relaxed.

Richard guided him to a big chair kitty-corner to the divan. With Nathan and the orc curled up in an intimate position, it was natural for Richard and Lilian to follow suit. Richard sat, and Lilian folded onto his lap. Strong arms snaked around his shoulders and waist, and he sank against Richard, breathing in his sandalwood scent while keeping an eye on the orc.

“Thank you for coming,” Richard said, his thumb drawing circles on Lilian’s waist. It worked miracles in distracting him.

“We’re pleased to meet you, Lilian,” Nathan said. “It’s wonderful that my brother has found someone he cares about as much as I care about Ogharod.” His voice was smooth and steady, and he nestled closer to the orc as if to demonstrate how comfortable he was. He and the orc painted a cozy picture, all snuggles and pink cheeks.

“I express my gratitude for your willingness to speak with us,” the orc rumbled, and Lilian flinched at his low timbre.

His heart fluttered against his chest, and his sweaty palms clung to Richard’s linen shirt. The orc had the good grace to keep gazing at the rug like it was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. It didn’t stop Lilian from shaking like a leaf. A deep orc voice directed at him had meant the worst not too long ago.

“It’s fine,” Richard whispered when Lilian whimpered. “I’ve got you. I’ll protect you. Ogharod won’t hurt you, I promise. He’s glad you’re giving him the chance to talk to you. That’s all. He doesn’t want to touch you. Also, he’s bonded to Nathan. See how close they are? Ogharod only wants to touch Nathan, and Nathan likes it.”

Oh, Nathan loved the orc’s hands on him. He all but purred when the orc stroked his back and squeezed his thigh. With the end of spring, temperatures were rising, and Nathan had rolled up the sleeves of his linen shirt and unlaced the front, leaving his chest and stomach uncovered. Did he do it because it was a warm day or because the orc preferred him half-naked? Orcs didn’t permit their mates to wear clothing. If lucky, one got a loincloth. Lilian had been kept naked for ease of access. The memory made him sick.

Nathan didn’t seem bothered by his state of undress. On the contrary, when his shirt slipped off his shoulder, he didn’t hastily cover up like Lilian would’ve but shrugged the fabric lower. Nathan enjoyed lying in the orc’s arms, and Lilian didn’t want to think about what they’d do if he and Richard weren’t there. Nathan showed a lot of skin, and there wasn’t a single bruise on him. Lilian had been covered in them, receiving more each time the orcs forced themselves on him. Nathan’s skin was unblemished. Evidently, the orc wasn’t hurting him. He was stroking up and down Nathan’s back, causing him to lean into the touch. How strange to watch a man enjoy the very thing Lilian was afraid of.

“It-It’s good to meet you too,” Lilian forced out looking at Nathan, who gave him a languid smile.

“I’m sorry if my big fellow here frightened you,” Nathan said and petted the orc’s thigh like one would pat a horse. “He looks all tall and scary, but I promise he’s docile.”

“Docile,” the orc snorted.

“Behave,” Nathan said and buried a hand in the orc’s long, silver-blond mane. “You’re going to be good and do as I say, aren’t you?”

“As long as you’re good and do as I say later on,” the orc growled.

The pink on Nathan’s cheeks deepened. Lilian would’ve laughed if he hadn’t been so scared. The two of them behaved like any other couple he’d met. They were affectionate and playful, and while Lilian had the impression the orc was reining in his instinct to dominate his mate for Lilian’s benefit, he showed no violent tendencies toward Nathan. He cradled him in his arms, his touch careful as if he was afraid to hurt him.

“Can I ask…” Nathan started. “Did you have a bad encounter with an orc? Richard wouldn’t say anything, but the way you ran from Ogharod made me think that maybe you met an orc before, and it was…”

“It was hell,” Lilian said, unable to keep his tone even. “It was the most horrid experience you can imagine.”

“Please allow me to apologize for the abhorrent behavior of part of my species,” the orc said, eyes on the rug. “There are bad orcs, and I’m sorry that you suffered.”

“I was taken by orcs,” Lilian said, his voice thick. “They held me for months. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Richard.”

“I’m very sorry,” the orc said, deep furrows lining his brow. “I promise you not all orcs are like that. If an orc takes an unwilling mate, he must be brought to justice. That is our law. Claiming a mate against their will is a grave transgression that must be punished.”

“But isn’t that what orcs do?” Lilian asked, his temper flaring. “Don’t you go and raid villages, abducting any man you fancy? Don’t you seize them and drag them off to your camps? Isn’t that how you took Nathan?”

“It’s not like that,” Nathan said, his cheeks glowing red. “I wasn’t unwilling. Yes, Ogharod carried me off to his camp, but…”

“My kind has a keen sense of smell,” the orc said. “A man’s scent tells us whether a potential mate is willing or not. No sane orc would force himself on a man who’s emanating fear. It’s not right. But there are bad orcs. What they did to you is horrible, and it fills my heart with sorrow that my kind has treated you so badly. They should’ve never touched you. My species isn’t even compatible with yours. Humans and elves, as long as they aren’t bound to a partner they love, respond positively to our scent. It calms them. This isn’t true for fae. You probably think I stink horribly.”

Lilian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’m afraid so.”

“Don’t worry,” Ogharod said. “Fae don’t smell nice to us either.”

“We don’t?”

“No.”

Lilian smiled, and a tear slid out of the corner of his eye. He wiped it away with his sleeve.

“What those orcs did to you was wrong,” Ogharod said. “I’m so sorry.”

“There were six of them.”

Ogharod snapped around to face Lilian, his study of the rug forgotten. An expression of pure horror settled on his features. “Six?” He said it with such alarm that Lilian startled.

After a moment of stunned silence, Ogharod cursed, shaking his head. “Six orcs to one mate isn’t safe in the best of circumstances. Not even in a loving relationship when the orcs practice restraint. It’s destructive to the mate’s body. Some mates struggle with one orc. It’s true that because men are rare, sometimes two or three of us share a partner—lovingly! Carefully! The most I’ve seen was four orcs to an elf, but elves are tough and the orcs took turns abstaining. By the gods, I cannot imagine…”

Ogharod’s big gray eyes watered, and he scrunched his nose. Tears ran down Lilian’s face as Richard rubbed his back.

Ogharod was upset because of what his people had done to Lilian. For the first time, an orc showed him kindness.

In a slow and deliberate move, Ogharod let go of Nathan and reached out, not touching Lilian, simply holding out his hand, palm up. With a lump in his throat, Lilian lay his hand in Ogharod’s. It was warm and dry, and although it dwarfed Lilian’s, it didn’t feel threatening. Ogharod didn’t move, just gently held his hand and shared Lilian’s sorrow.

A fat tear rolled onto Lilian’s cheek. Ogharod tentatively leaned in. When Lilian didn’t flinch, he wiped the tear away with the back of his big finger. Lilian cried all the harder for it, but those were good tears. They washed the hurt out of him.

Over the following days, there were more meetings of this kind, Lilian slowly getting to know Ogharod, assuring himself that he was no threat. Ogharod was kind and patient, letting Lilian control the pace. A big step was for them to talk alone, Richard and Nathan waiting outside the door, having promised to immediately leap into action should there be any sounds of distress. Eventually, Lilian started to feel bad about Ogharod staying in the shack outside when the castle was so much more comfortable; he disliked imposing hardship on others.

“Please move into the castle with us,” Lilian said one day over tea. “You shouldn’t have to stay in the old house.”

Ogharod rewarded him with his biggest smile and a friendly pat on the head that left Lilian mussed and only a little startled. “We’re going to be good friends.”

Lilian would’ve never thought he could trust an orc, let alone be friends, but Ogharod was easy to grow fond of. Little by little, they spent more time together. Before long, Ogharod was helping Lilian unearth flowers and set them in pots. His big hands scooped up the plants in seconds, a task for which Lilian would’ve needed a shovel and a quarter-hour. Another time, when they went outside to pick cherries, he let Lilian climb onto his shoulders so he could reach the tallest branches. And once, in a silly mood, he let Lilian braid his hair and thread daisies into it. Nathan doubled over in laughter when he saw it, and Lilian scolded him.

One evening, the family was sitting on the terrace: George and Resh were playing cards while Nathan and Ogharod talked to the gnomes. Lilian had snuggled onto Richard’s lap and fed him spoonfuls of spring faerie cake. The cook had taken notes when Bellerose’s household used the kitchen, and now she was whipping up a different kind of cake every week. For this one, she’d used a smooth, dark brown dough, formed it into fist-sized balls, which she’d baked and sprinkled with colorful faerie glitter. The cake tasted sweeter than honey and richer than almond butter. It was divine.

The sun dipped behind the trees, and slices of golden light dissected the terrace, one broad stripe landing on Nathan’s back. The gnomes handed him a bowl of berries, and he thanked them before he walked over and set the fruit on the table for everyone to enjoy.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Richard said, looking between Nathan and Ogharod. “Months ago, James sent an elf knight named Kamuel looking for you. He disappeared shortly after joining the front. Did you happen to hear anything about him?”

Nathan and Ogharod exchanged a long glance.

Richard leaned forward, pressing Lilian to his chest. “You have?”

“Well,” Nathan said. “We weren’t sure if we should tell you, especially after we heard of the trial James and Raziel had to stand. The truth is that friends of Ogharod’s took Kamuel to the camp we shared.”

Lilian stiffened. “Friends? You mean several orcs…”

“Kamuel is bonded to four orcs,” Nathan said, and a chill prickled Lilian. “I know how this must sound to you, but we spent many weeks together, and Kamuel is as happy with his orcs as I am with Ogharod.” Nathan squeezed Ogharod’s big hand. “But when we heard of another elf being prosecuted for crimes of lust—Raziel, as we later found out—Kamuel and his orcs decided staying in Vale was too dangerous, and they headed south across the Great River.”

George put his cards down. “But four orcs? That’s a lot.”

“I promise you they’re careful with him and practice restraint,” Ogharod said. “And remember Kamuel is an elf.”

“Elves are compatible with orcs,” Nathan said. “Their nature is quite different from fae.”

Ogharod nodded. “Elves are stronger than humans and fae, their constitution even surpassing orcs’. Kamuel has proven insatiable and likes keeping his bonded orcs… busy.”

Heat rose in Lilian’s cheeks, and the humans around the table blushed. With Ogharod’s dark green skin, it was hard to tell, but he didn’t seem affected, and neither did Resh, who grinned, and leaned in to whisper in George’s ear. George turned bright red.

There was nothing to worry about with Kamuel. That was good news. Lilian lay a hand on Richard’s nape, fingers playing with the short curls as he contemplated. He’d learned so much over the past few weeks: to trust again, that not all orcs were evil, and that some men enjoyed being with them. Lilian hadn’t enjoyed it, and for the orcs who had violated him, there’d be hell to pay.