34. Mia

Stumblingafter Dolphus through the now dark forest is not my idea of fun. Every step is a struggle as twisting roots threaten to trip me up and branches snag my robe, which is officially in tatters. If it weren't for Renowlf, and maybe Rayowlf, I'd hate everything this planet.

I wish Dolphus would tell me where we're going—and how much longer until we get there. But the grumpy orc is not in a talkative mood. I'm exhausted, my internal bitch-o-meter is set to extra-high, and I'm wondering if this shit day will ever end.

When Dolphus abruptly stops, I'm grateful for a chance to catch my breath. I look around his broad shoulders and see a small cabin just head. This must be the hunting cabin he mentioned to Renowlf. The front door looks demolished, but the warm glow of a fire inside makes it look almost inviting.

"I wonder what happened here," I say, keeping my voice low.

Dolphus, like the dick that he is, doesn"t respond. But his eyes warily scan the area around the cabin. When he draws his sword, adrenaline-fueled fear makes me tense all over.

What are we walking into?

Dolphus slowly stalks toward the cabin entrance and I follow, crouching down behind him as if to hide, hoping his big body will shield me from any danger we encounter. Once inside, I reel at the sight of dead orcs strewn on the floor. Blood pools around their lifeless bodies, the metallic scent making me want to hurl.

In the back of the cabin stands Renowlf, his hulking form towering over Bayliss. His sword is raised, as if he's ready to strike her down. The sight of him like this, so fierce and powerful, sends a delicious shiver down my spine…until I realize he's brandishing his sword with his left arm.

I gasp when my gaze zeroes in on the wounds oozing blood on Renowlf"s body. In addition to several small cuts, he has a big gash to his side and what looks like a deep wound on his right shoulder.

"Renowlf!" I cry out. "You"re hurt!"

He turns to face me, and I see brutal determination etched on his face. I start to rush toward him, but he holds up his hand to stop me.

"Stay back, Mia," Renowlf commands, his eyes landing on Dolphus, who has a wild, crazed look in his eyes and a death grip on the handle of his sword.

"Back away from my mate, Renowlf," Dolphus growls.

Mate?!

Renowlf's surprised look matches my own, and things suddenly click for me. If Dolphus and Bayliss are mates, Dolphus must be the palace insider who's helping her overthrow Renowlf's reign!

Whoa.

This explains his cold indifference toward me once we were alone, and the snide human remarks he made earlier.

"Stand down, Dolphus," Renowlf warns. He takes a few steps away from Bayliss and toward his second. Well, his former second. "How dare you threaten your king for this serpent."

"You are no longer my king," Dolphus retorts, meeting Renowlf in the middle of the cabin. Both orcs have their swords raised and are poised to fight. "Bayliss is destined to sit upon the throne, and I will rule by her side."

Horrified at what's unfolding, I back away on shaky legs until I'm flush against the wall. Across the cabin, Bayliss watches with a serene expression. She thinks Dolphus will triumph over the wounded king.

I want to believe my fierce orc will prevail even while my heart fills with dread. Renowlf is already wounded. How can he possibly fight Dolphus—and win?

Dolphus advances and swords clash, again and again. Even while wielding his sword in his left hand, Renowlf and Dolphus seem evenly matched in skill and strength. But the exertion makes Renowlf's wounds bleed more heavily which slows him down.

Pressing his advantage, Dolphus drives Renowlf back. My stomach roils as Renowlf struggles to defend himself against Dolphus" relentless attacks. A glance at Bayliss makes me want to claw the smug look off her face.

Renowlf"s features, contorted with pain and exhaustion, makes my sweaty hands clench at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. I've never felt so helpless…so useless.

How much longer can he hold out?

A jab by Dolphus with the tip of his sword to Renowlf's injured shoulder makes my king stumble. I swallow a gasp, my heart thumping wildly with fear.

I hold my breath until Renowlf recovers his balance, and he and Dolphus continue trading blows. Their swords clang violently but erratically. Battle fatigue is slowing both of them down and each manages to land a few blows.

Who will be the first to make a deadly mistake?

"Why would you betray me like this?" Renowlf says, his voice labored. I wonder what hurts him more: his physical wounds or this emotional one.

"Why would you betray your people by taking a human as your queen?" Dolphus laughs, sounding unhinged. "You are not the only orc with new cockspikes. Even before yours emerged, mine did."

As if he can't believe what Dolphus is implying, Renowlf asks, "Bayliss is your perfect genetic match?"

Dolphus grins like a besotted maniac. "Yes. My cockspikes emerged for Bayliss. Soon, we will consummate our bond and she will carry my child, the true heir to the kingdom."

Soon?

Bayliss must be cockblocking him until she sits on the throne. Holy shit, she's a bitch. Dolphus must be out of his mind with pent-up need to consummate the bond. I feel a flicker of sympathy for him. He must be so desperate to claim her that he'd do anything for her, even commit treason.

My sympathy is fleeting, though. Renowlf must defeat him. If he doesn't, we're both dead.

Dolphus lunges forward, and Renowlf barely manages to deflect the blow. He's unsteady, favoring his injured shoulder even more now.

I scream when Dolphus" sword slashes viciously across Renowlf"s chest. Blood gushes from the deep wound, dripping down his torso.

Somehow, he remains standing. But the new injury clearly takes a toll on Renowlf. He moves slower still, barely deflecting Dolphus' strikes, each breath he takes growing more labored.

Across the room, his eyes meet mine. I see…defeat.

NO! Fight, dammit!

"Don't give up, Renowlf. I need you!!" I cry out, then desperately shout, "I LOVE YOU!"