33. Renowlf

The cool nightair does little to soothe the inferno churning within me as I advance toward the hunting cabin. My sword, gripped tightly in my fist, is ready for retribution, eager to confront the architect of the treasonous plot against me and my mate.

The cabin door stands no chance against my beast. With a primal roar, my boot connects with the wood, sending splinters flying as the door crashes open. The idyllic scene that greets me belies the seriousness of my visit. Inside, Bayliss relaxes in front of a roaring fire, the flames casting a cozy glow throughout the cabin.

"Hello, Ren," she purrs, glancing my way. Her voice is a cold whisper in the warmth, her smile icy. "So good of you to join me."

"Your scheming is over," I snarl, lips curling to expose my tusks. "Your plan is thwarted."

Bayliss responds with a raised brow, her calm composure a stark contrast to barely leashed fury. "I do not believe it is."

"Did you really think you could murder my mate and steal my kingdom?"

A cunning smile teases her full lips. "I did, and I do."

I once thought Bayliss had a rare beauty, a smile that could bring any male to his knees. Looking upon her now, all I see is evil, her smile stirring nothing but revulsion in my gut.

"The breeding slave has bewitched you, Renowlf. She has made you weak," she taunts. "She must be eliminated."

A growl tears from my throat. "You are wrong. Mia gives me strength. She is my light, my hope."

Bayliss dismisses me with a wave of her hand, although her face contorts with jealousy. "It is only a matter of time before the entire kingdom turns against you for naming the human as your consort. You will regret choosing that pathetic pet over me."

My beast demands blood for Bayliss' slights against my mate. I step closer, until I'm looming over her. "I was never going to choose you as my queen. You were merely a convenience until I found my true mate."

Bayliss shrieks, rising from her comfortable seat by the fire. "You will regret your insults, Renowlf!"

"I only speak the truth," I say coldly. "Mia is under my protection now. Anyone who chooses to harm her will pray for a quick death. I would tell you to ask your minions, Hagob and Turgen, yet they have already been eliminated."

Bayliss' eyes widen slightly and, for the first time since I entered the cabin, she looks uncertain. A touch of fear mingles with her hatred. "We shall see who prays for a quick death," she seethes.

I recognize the madness swirling in Bayliss' eyes and know she is beyond reason. When gripped by this kind of blood lust, orcs become unpredictable, lethal even. In that moment, I realize she must die. As long as Bayliss still draws breath, Mia will be in mortal danger. Slowly, I raise my sword.

Her gaze shifts to the splintered cabin door, a sly smile curling her lips. "Guards!" she calls out.

Four familiar orcs rush into the cabin. Like me, Nulgar, Frukog, Pragkul, and Ogorim are warriors armed with swords.

"Kill him!" Bayliss screeches.

Though I am outnumbered, I am not deterred. I have fought—and won—other battles such as this, although the stakes have never been this high. This is a battle for the life of my mate, a fight for the right to continue my reign.

I will not lose.

Nulgar lunges first, his blade slicing through the air with a whoosh. My own sword meets his attack, the sounds of metal-on-metal reverberating around the cabin as we each fight for an opening in the other's defenses.

Pragkul and Ogorim circle behind me, waiting for an opportunity to strike, as Frukog joins the fray. With my attention divided, Frukog slashes at my flank, drawing my blood. "You are outnumbered, Renowlf," he says triumphantly. "This is a fight you cannot win."

The primal energy of my beast rises from within, adding strength and speed to my movements as my sword becomes an extension of our combined raw power. With my beast awakened, I no longer fight alone.

Roaring, I drive Nulgar back, running my blade through his heart while dodging Frukog's slashes. With a quick pivot, I land a powerful kick that sends Pragkul crashing against the wall of the cabin, his body slumping to the floor.

Two down, two remain.

"Get him, you oafs!" Bayliss screams. "GET HIM!"

"Yes, Majesty," Frukog grunts, engaging again and driving me toward Ogorim, who attacks from my back. I move quick enough to avoid a fatal blow, twisting out of the way, yet his sword slices across my fighting shoulder.

"You underestimate me, traitors," I say, chest heaving. I transfer my blade to my other hand and flash a feral smile. I have trained for this as well; my left arm is nearly as strong as my right. "I will not be defeated."

I charge toward Frukog, my sword a blur of lightning-fast strikes, my attack a whirlwind of steel and fury. He responds in kind, his blade raining heavy blows against mine. I block and spin, finally finding the opening I need. With a single, powerful thrust, my blade sinks deeply into his gut. As I pull back, he falls to his knees with a gurgling cry, blood pooling around him, while Bayliss screams obscenities.

"It is you and me now, Ogorim," I say, turning toward him. "Unless you would rather give up."

"Never," Ogorim growls, attacking with a savage overhead swing.

I catch his blade with mine just before it connects with my skull, and my heart thumps from the close call. Muscles straining, I shove him away, and we both step back to regroup.

Movement against the wall draws Ogorim's attention. His eyes only leave me for a split second, yet that is all the time I need. With a powerful swing, my sword cleaves cleanly across his neck, and his headless body crumples to the ground.

Only then do I look at what distracted him. I draw a dagger from my belt and throw it at the stirring Pragkul. My aim is true, and he slumps back over. This time for good.

Panting from pain, wounded yet victorious, I turn my attention back on a cowering Bayliss. I am just about to end her life when a different female's voice cries out, "Renowlf! You're hurt!"