Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

ORO

All my life it's been preached that the Sacred waters were forbidden and that the only ones allowed to enter into them had to have the approval of the high priestess. Only once have I seen the request granted, and that was for my brother's mate, Brittany . I had no idea at the time that the High Priestess had a hidden agenda that involved my brother XuL and Zura and that was the sole reason she allowed him access to the Sacred Lake .

I have watched many perish when they could have been saved. Orcs don't respond well to medications, and there are only a few herbal healers left. After this devastation, and the destruction of our forest. My people will no longer be able to find what they need and many more will die. We will be doomed if things don't change, but I will not be here to see it.

I have no regrets as I walk both of us into the lake. The pink water swirls around my legs as I go deeper, acting as if it's reaching up for Zura . Slowly , I start immersing her. The water bubbles as it engulfs her entirely. All that's left above the water is her face and instead of dunking her completely under, I get down on my knees and cradle her in my arms. Using my hands, I slowly pour it over her face. Opening her lips, I take my fingers and drip what I can onto her tongue, making sure she swallows the few small sips each time.

I am entranced by the changes taking place in front of me. Within moments of me lowering her into the water, Zura's body relaxes in my arms, and her shivers lessen. I watch as the burns on her arms shrink as the pink water bubbles around us aggressively. Rubbing a hand down her leg, I can feel the lacerations closing slowly. The water has started to calm around us, but still, I feed her as many small drips as I can, trying to heal the wounds I can't see.

When the runes on her arms start to pulse brightly, it instantly reminds me of the necklace in my pocket. She can never know. The thought crosses my mind and I know what I must do. Backing up, I sit down on the lake bottom. The soft sands caress the ragged skin on my legs as I balance her on my lap. Pulling the necklace out, I lay it against her to make sure my mind was not playing tricks on me earlier. I am relieved and horrified when I see not only my marks disappear because it's in my fingers, but hers also fade away.

Tearing a strip off the edge of one of my weapon straps, I tie it back around her neck. My runes lighten, but they don't disappear completely like hers once it's secured against her skin again. I feel the loss clear through my soul, but I won't sacrifice … or allow her to suffer because of my choices. Once I am gone from this world, she will be no wiser and the Kismet marks will fade on their own because we were never physically bound.

I don't allow my mind to drift as I hold her close to me. My own injuries are long forgotten as the Sacred Waters have also healed me without me realizing it. I am so focused on Zura , I don't hear them until it's too late. Blog and Lagduf are standing on the shore of the Sacred Lake . Both of their bodies are burned and bleeding, but they are still upholding their duties to the priestess.

" Warrior OrO , son of Commander DaR and Zosia . You have overstepped your authority and your bounds. Under the laws of Xuias , we now place you under arrest. Bring the princess to us immediately."

" How did you find us?"

" Azog sent us out when the Head mistress said Zura was missing. We were given orders not to return until we found her. OrO , you know what you have done is forbidden, thankfully Princess Zura is unaware and will be spared."

They both lower their weapons when they see that I am simply going to continue to sit here. I know they won't step a foot in the water to retrieve me, so they can wait for all I care. I am determined to give Zura as long as possible in the water to heal. Her breathing has eased down and she now lay relaxed in my arms. A slight cough leaves her lips and I trace them gently with my finger when she takes a deep breath. The guards are talking behind me, trying to force me to come to them, but I have tuned their empty words and threats out. My only focus is on the female … I love.

Zura's eyes start twitching just before they open wide. The rare smile on my lips is impossible to suppress whenever I see the pink starburst in her lovely dark eyes. I only know one other whose eyes are similar and that's little Keida . The Sacred Waters have a way of marking the ones who have been granted its blessings.

Zura looks confused for a second, and before she can say anything, I lift us both up out of the water and walk slowly towards the guards. " Blog , give me your shirt. I will not lower her to the ground to be ogled by either of you."

" It is in poor shape, but the princess is welcome to it." He yanks it over his head and I motion for both of them to turn around before I lower her feet to the ground.

Zura still hasn't said anything to me, but her eyes have never left mine. My arms hold her steady as she wobbles on unsteady legs in front of me. When I tug the other male's shirt over her naked form. I can't help but growl out as I despise his smell on her skin, but would hate his eyes even more.

" She is decent."

They both turn back just as I pull his shirt down as far as it will go. Even though the waters have healed her for the most part, her skin still shows the damage it has been subjected to. It will take several risings until she fully heals, but somehow. I know the Sacred water will continue to work until no longer needed. I see their eyes glance over her. There is no missing the chunks of hair that are gone or the red marks that are covering her pale green skin.

" Will you come with us peacefully, OrO , or do we need to restrain you?"

Zura's small hands are wrapped around my weapons harness and she appears confused as to what is going on. She shakes her head, looking around, then down at her feet that are still standing in the pink waters. I can tell the moment she recalls all that's happened. " OrO , what have you done?" she whispers the words so quietly I almost miss them.

When Lagduf starts to reach for her. I smack his hand away, daring him to try again. " Touch her and you die!" I snarl out, Blog stiffens up, and I push Zura behind me. They know they are no match for me, so let them try to take her.

A whimper behind me has me turning my back on them and I sling her up into my arms before either of them can say another word. Zura curls up in my arms, tucking her face into my neck. She doesn't say anything else as we slowly make our way back to the fortress. The main doors sling open as we approach and I see her mother, the Head Priestess , walk toward the steps holding a youngling in her arms.

For a moment I see worry cross her features, that is until I set Zura down in front of her gently. When Zura looks over at her mother, neither move, but I see the smirk that forms on Zlana's face when she sees her daughter's eyes. She has always wanted me gone, and now she will get her wish.

When I step back Zura turns towards me, her lips tremble as she fights to hold the tears back. " Mother , please," I hear her whisper out.

" Oro has broken our sacred vows, Zura . You know the consequences. The only reason I am not having him beaten is your attachment to him."

" He saved my life, does that mean nothing to you?"

I don't hear what the priestess says because Azog walks up and grabs my arm, pulling me away. " OrO , don't fight me, youngling, honor your mother and your father with the decisions you have made this rising, hold your head up high."

I have to force my steps forward, especially when I hear Zura yelling out my name and in a moment of weakness. I look back, only to see Lagduf holding her back. When I slow, Blog grabs my other arm. " We all respect you, OrO , and I don't know if I would have chosen a different path had it been my mate, but you know the consequences of your actions. You took your vow the same as the rest of us."

Closing my eyes for a moment, I shut out the sound of her voice and walk forward. Not really seeing anything, even though the world I have grown up in has been destroyed. The runes on my arms pulse and I see Azog notice them for the first time since the Sacred Waters washed off the remaining stain, I have always worn over them. He looks at me, a question in his eyes, and I shake my head no. I expected them to take me to the holding cells, but instead. I am led back towards my room at the barracks that I am shocked are still standing.

When Azog opens my door, I stand here awaiting instructions. " OrO , everyone is exhausted, not to mention not one of us isn't injured. I normally would post a guard here at your door, but I have none to spare. When I come here next rising, I implore you to promise me that you will be here. If I have your word, I will leave you in peace the rest of this rising."

" I have nowhere to go, Captain ."

" What a shame that it has come to this, especially now that we have lost so many. OrO , you were always a favorite of mine. I understand why you made the choice you did. You may have been able to hide your affections for Zura from the others, but I have seen the way you look at her. How long have you had these runes?"

" As long as I can recall."

" You are a stronger male than I . May the Lord of Light see us through this darkness."

" Sir , how many did we … lose? I was wondering about Radyr ."

" Radyr was luckier than most, he only sustained a few burns, but his mate was not and is in intensive care in the fortress. She was in their dwelling when the mountain set forth its wrath. From my understanding, a nearby explosion threw their entire building afar. It was a miracle she was even found under all the rubble."

I don't ask anything else; I simply walk into the darkness of my dwelling to await the dawn. My mind drifts through all the what-ifs as the darkness passes by slowly.