Page 42 of Where the Shadows Land (Garden of Hope #1)

“We are afraid it is not good fortune for your human, Mairuk.” Leri frowned.

Mairuk took a tense step back and blocked Astoria from view of the other Rholctai. “Why is that?”

The group stepped in through the open gate. Idelic and the tall golden one stared at Astoria with disdain. Her fingers clenched around her bow, and she straightened. The human broke away from the group and approached Astoria, throwing their hood back.

The most beautiful man she had ever seen came into view.

Warm brown eyes, warm brown skin, and a long mane of thick, dark hair caught her attention first. A jaw line sharp enough to cut glass, full lips, high cheekbones, full brows, and a nose that belonged on a marble statue of a god rounded out his face.

Gorgeous didn’t begin to describe him. He removed the cloak and his lean-muscled chest came into view.

Not overly built, but he did some sort of work that kept his body in that condition.

A large red tattoo spanned from his shoulder to hip, where it dipped into his trousers.

“Astoria, yes? It is lovely to meet you,” he said with a deep, flourishing bow. His voice was low and smoky in her ears, spoken with the gentle grace that screamed of nobility. “I am Rowan Hellis, loving loktossi of dear Leri.”

“A pleasure.” Astoria smiled. A surname clarified he was a noble, but the name Hellis meant nothing to her. Perhaps he came from the north.

“I heard you shot Leri, and I must hear the story from your lips once we settle the boring bits.” Rowan gave her a blinding conspiratorial smile, and she couldn’t resist returning it. Mairuk growled over their shoulder, as low and menacing as Astoria ever heard them .

“Forgive me, Mairuk. It has been many rotations since I’ve seen a human woman and I forgot my manners. It is a pleasure to finally meet the one who occupies so many of Leri’s thoughts. You have built a beautiful garden. It’s a shame that they haven’t brought me here sooner.”

Mairuk huffed, and it was Astoria’s turn to laugh.

Her seven-foot-something monster huffed and growled at a man who looked more like art than a person.

She couldn’t contain her giggles. She put her arrow back into her quiver and slung her bow over her shoulder.

Her hand slipped into Mairuk’s, and she stroked their arm gently. “Be nice to our guests, darling.”

“The other loktossi is the bad news?” Mairuk asked.

“Afraid not.” Rowan’s joyful demeanor shifted, a tightness settling in his shoulders.

“The news of an unbound human female has spread,” the tall golden one said, their voice almost feminine, with a hint of warmth. “We were visiting Idelic when Leri told us the news. There are many coming from Bounoss, likely elsewhere, too. The females are rare and favored.”

“How long do we have?” Astoria asked, her voice raised in pitch.

“A day, maybe. The sooner the better.” The golden one shrugged.

“What Cardilan means is the others will arrive tomorrow, but we don’t believe any will make a move until the moon reaches peak fullness in two days,” Leri said. “We came as fast as we could to act as your witnesses. You need to seal and confirm your bond before the rest arrive.”

A chill pulsed through her blood and Astoria froze, clutching Mairuk’s arm tight.

Her heart slammed a rapid rhythm, and her breaths came in short, gulping bursts.

Astoria’s throat dried as she stared up at Mairuk.

Trusting them with her body and submission was a different beast than releasing all control of her will into their hands.

If she denied bonding, she’d have to run.

How far could she get before another Ardelok caught her ?

Bastian danced around her leg, offering his silent support.

She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart, but there wasn’t enough room for the air to settle in her lungs.

Her fingers shook against Mairuk’s arm and when their eyes met, she couldn’t stop the tears.

She cared about them. Mairuk had been nothing but supportive of her, but how long would it last?

We haven’t discussed our terms yet. I thought we had more time.

“Astoria,” Mairuk said into her mind. They knelt down beside her as her shaking worsened and took her into their arms. She trembled against their chest and they pulled her flush against them. “We have you. Everything will be alright.”

“I’m not—I—,” Astoria stuttered, unable to form words around the lump in her throat.

“We know. If we could, we would have given you the rest of your lifetime to figure it out. We are sorry that it has come to this.” Mairuk rubbed slow circles on her back, grounding her in the moment with each gentle touch.

“Have we ever taken advantage of your submission, pushed you too far, or not listened when you told us to stop?”

“No.” Great gods, she wanted to trust that Mairuk wouldn’t change their behavior after she was bound, but doubt was loud in her mind. How would this change her, her soul? Astoria recently became comfortable with the changes she already faced. Too much. All of this is too much.

“There is precious little time, but we will figure something out. Trust us to keep you safe, Astoria,” Mairuk whispered.

“If I may,” Rowan said, his voice soft. “I have been bound to Leri for more decades than I care to count. While our situation was complicated, I don’t regret our binding.

I’ve seen the best and worst of the Ardeloks.

To be bound to one who cares for you, like Mairuk, is a gift.

It’s not always like what you were told. ”

“Then what is it?” Astoria asked, tears streaming down her face.

Rowan looked back at Leri, a small smile on his full lips. “A blessing worth the risk.”