Prologue

PROLOGUE

Khuldruk

K huldruk sat in his war room, his gaze fixed on the purple crystal in the middle of the table. For years, that crystal had glowed bright. When he was an orcling, the light from the crystal filled the room, but now, it was faint. As its light faded, so did the magic of his people. He had been chief for over a decade since the death of his parents and had only watched this crystal's light fade into nothing since then.

The light of this crystal was the magic that made their warriors strong, filled their healers with the gift, and gave their seers sight. There hadn’t been a clear vision in years, and many of the healers were turning to medicines from other places or using herbal remedies only. Their magic was dying, and he needed to fix it.

"Brother," called Thavros.

He turned to him with a grunt. "What?"

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't yet know,” Khuldruk said, trying not to sound as desperate as he was to help his people.

Thavros closed the book he had been reading and gave a deep sigh.

"I have heard rumor of a witch in the eastern forest. She is said to have the ancient power of the mating match."

Khuldruk had heard of her as well, but there hadn't been a mating bond since his parents. The magic of his people lay in the mating bond of the orcs.

"How could she help me?" he asked his brother in a grunt.

"She may be able to help you find your mate. It could awaken your magic and maybe the magic of our clan."

"Doubtful," he grumbled.

"I agree, but we’re running out of ideas, and the western clan seems to know that."

Both brothers sat at a round stone table, examining the crystal.

"The eastern forest, you say?" Khuldruk said with a deep sigh.

"Yes. She is said to reside in the Cridhe forest in the northeast, a day’s journey from here."

"I’ll set out in the morning," he decided.

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, you stay here and continue your research. I’ll journey to this witch. It is decided."

Early the next morning, Khuldruk set out before the sun rose. He made it to a forest in a day and a half time. He wasn't sure how he would find the witch of the wood, but he would find her.

Once he set foot into the woods, he could feel more magic than he had felt since he was a child. There was still magic here in his clan land, and that gave him hope.

"Can I help you?"

He turned and saw a small human woman. While there were humans in the realm, they were not as large a segment of the population, especially here in the orc lands.

"Are you the witch of the woods?"

"I've been called that before," she said with a smirk. "Along with Freya, which is what my parents called me."

"Freya, it is an honor to meet you," he said, kneeling and taking her hand, pressing the back of it to his forehead.

"What brought you all the way here, Chief Khuldruk?” she said with a glint in her eye.

"I am searching for a way to find our old magic."

"Hmmm, yes. There has not been a true mating since your parents." She nodded.

"Yes, and the magic is suffering. I fear there is a threat from the west."

A truce between the two orc clans had held strong for decades, but tensions were high. The rumors the Lochcraig Clan was without magic were concerning.

"I may have an idea, but it is not without risk."

"I’ll risk my life for this clan. What can I do?"

"Follow me," she said then turned, making her way through the green forest.

After walking about a mile, they came to a cottage in the deep woods that lay next to a small stream.

"Is this your home?" he asked.

"It is. Would you like to come in? I have some stew on the fire, and I have something that might help you—if you are willing."

He followed her into the small cabin. He had to duck his head low to follow her in. There was a pot bubbling over the fire, and the delicious smell filled the air.

"Please, have a seat." She gestured to the table.

Khuldruk pulled out the chair and studied it, testing its strength to see if it would hold him. It seemed sturdy enough, but as he sat, it gave a groan of protest underneath him. He tried to pull it up to the table, but his knees bumped into it.

"You certainly are a big fellow, aren't you?" said the amused woman.

He gave a low rumbly laugh. "I am." Orcs were big, but Khuldruk was enormous.

The small woman put out a plate of bread onto the table before dishing them both a bowl of stew. She set the bowls on the table. Then, she turned to the storage cabinet and pulled out a jug of mead, pouring them both a mug.

"Have you ever thought about traveling to another realm?" she asked him matter-of-factly.

"No," he answered with the same tone. Why would he go to another realm to find a mate?

She smiled at him and gave a small chuckle. " Would you consider going to another realm?"

"I’d do anything to ensure the safety and prosperity of my clan."

"I may have just the thing," she said as she cleared away her dish. She went over to the cabinet and pulled out a simple wooden box. She came back to the table and set the box down in front of him.

"Open it," she said.

He opened the lid. In the box was a small, shiny black brick. "What is this?" He pulled it out, and upon further examination, he noted that it looked similar to the technology of the southlands.

"It is a communication device from a distant realm." She took it from his hand and turned it on. He watched with his brows pinched tight as she tapped the screen. The screen lit up with a small square that read Kis-meet.

"Here, take this.'' He took the small device from her again. It looked small in his massive hands. "Hold it to your face so it can learn you."

He looked at her, unsure if he should.

"Please trust me. It is safe," she encouraged, moving his hand closer to his face.

He did so, and soon, it opened to the screen it had been on for her.

"Now it knows your face. Tap on that square, and you should soon see your mate."

He looked at her in shock. Surely, it would not be that simple. She gave a small smile and nod.

He tapped on the small square. Then, the square opened to a woman—a human woman. She had long brown hair and wore a green dress with a brown corset. She also wore a crown of flowers; she must be royalty. She would be a suitable mate, but the more he looked at her, the more he was drawn into her eyes. They were blue with flecks of green, and they looked like the ocean. Khuldruk had never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life.

"Where do I find this queen?"

"In the human realm, in the woods of North Carolina."

"How do I travel there?"