7. Khuldruk

7

KHULDRUK

T he feel of his mate's hand in his was like heaven. He’d been surprised when she stopped him and kissed him. He’d been even more surprised by the fact that he was ready to mate her right there in the woods, but he wouldn't do that yet. He needed to find a way to explain all of this to her first. She needed to know the truth before she could consent to being his mate.

That thought terrified him. He hadn’t thought this through. He had come here with the intent to save his kingdom and their most ancient and revered magic, but he had not factored in what it would feel like when he found his mate.

He’d known from the moment he saw her she was his mate. He’d felt that from afar. When they interacted, it was undeniable. When she merely touched his arm, it had awakened a need for her he had never felt. It was the call to mate her. When she laced his hand with hers, he knew he would do anything to keep his little mate, but when he had kissed her, the ancient magic coursed through him. The magic called on him to not only rut, but to make her his queen. She was the center of his universe now, and they hadn't even completed the bond.

The idea that she could turn him down terrified him. Now that he knew the feel of the mating bond, he would forever be hers. He only hoped that whatever magic lived in her felt that bond too.

They came to the clearing and made their way to Bridget's tent. As they approached, he saw her head of red hair pulling a pot off the fire and setting it on a picnic table next to the tent, three bowls and a plate of bread in the middle.

"Hello! Come and join me," she said, gesturing to the table.

Calli dropped his hand as they made their way in to help her. He was glad she had knowledge of the ancient magic. He knew he would never be able to explain it all to her, but he had faith that Bridget would be able to help him.

Calli sat down at the table first and looked at the bowl of stew in front of her. "Wow, Bridget, this is impressive. I don't think I've ever made anything over a campfire like this," Calli said with a warm smile.

"Och, it's nothing. When ye've been doing this as long as I have, ye can cook over an open fire."

The wink Bridget gave him was lost on Calli, but his nerves were tying knots in his stomach. How do you tell a human about something as foreign as a mating bond?

"Isn't that right, Dru?" he heard Bridget say.

He gave her a slightly panicked expression, letting her know he had not been paying the slightest bit of attention to whatever she and Calli were discussing.

"I'm sorry," he said earnestly. "Would you mind repeating yourself?"

“I was just telling Calli how magical ye’ve found our little fair,” she said with a wink.

"Oh, umm... yes, that's right."

For the rest of the meal, Calli and Bridget chatted, and he couldn't seem to get his heart to stop racing. What if she didn't believe him? Or what if she did believe him and rejected him? He would of course go back to his kingdom without her, but he knew a little piece of him would die without her. His mate.

"Let me ask you a question, Calli. You've been doing this long enough—what are your thoughts on magic?"

Dru dropped his spoon, and it clattered down loudly in his near-empty bowl. "So sorry, it slipped."

"Magic? What do you mean?" she asked.

"Magic in the truest sense of the word."

Calli shrugged. "I mean, it might sound crazy, but you've been doing this even longer than me, Bridget. I've met a lot of charlatans and amazing performers, but I would be lying if I said I’d never met some people who didn't make me think magic was a real thing. I mean, I'd be willing to bet your fortune reading rings a little truer than your average card reader.”

Dru's heart swelled with pride. There was no getting anything past his clever mate.

"Well, I’ve been wanting to tell you something for some time now, and I think it is about time."

Dru looked at her with a look of warning, but Bridget just patted his hand. As much as he didn't trust anyone with Fae magic, Bridget did seem trustworthy, and he was at a loss. How could he tell someone who knew nothing about magic that he was actually an orc from the monster realm, and she was his mate? She would run for the hills, and rightfully so.

"Okay," Calli said. The apprehension filling her voice had Dru wishing he could sweep her up in his arms and make her feel better, and maybe someday, he could. It would all depend on how this conversation went.

"I sense magic in you Calli," Bridget said plainly.