Zorvut frowned, then groaned faintly.
“My back hurts,” he said, wincing as he shifted against Taegan.
“Let’s try and get you sitting up, alright?” he asked, and after a moment of hesitation, Zorvut nodded. Taegan got to his feet and gingerly, gently helped Zorvut push himself into a sitting position, the blanket falling around his waist as he moved.
“I’m sore all over,” Zorvut groaned, running a hand down his face before looking over at Taegan. “You said a few days?”
“Well, more like a week,” Taegan replied with a chagrined expression, and Zorvut frowned.
“Has everything been alright?” he asked, glancing around the room again. “We’re still in Drol Kuggradh?”
“We are,” he agreed, nodding. He hesitated, unsure how much he wanted to explain with Zorvut seemingly still bleary and tired, but from the bond he could feel his concern and curiosity. So he took in a steady breath and continued, “Everything has been… fine, really. Gorza has been helping me a lot, but I’ve been working with Captain Kyrenic and some of the orc generals and merchants while you’ve been resting to make sure we can keep the peace. Really, it’s been going much more smoothly than I anticipated. You were right, you know—the orcs who live here, they just want to live their lives in peace. Once Zesh was gone, the few orcs who were still resistant went with him. I’m not sure which clan they went back to, but I don’t think they’ll be causing any more problems, not anytime soon, at least. I’ve already sent messages back to Aefraya that we’re now in control of Drol Kuggradh and… We’ve also started introducing new potential systems to the orcs here, floating the idea of a monarchy or something similar, like you were thinking of. There’s still going to be a public meeting where people can ask questions and such, and I’m sure it will be slow going, but I think it seems likely once everything settles, you’re going to be king.”
Zorvut was silent for a long moment, but Taegan could tell from the mix of emotions roiling in the bond that he understood everything he had told him. It was a lot to process, after all.
“That’s a lot,” Zorvut finally echoed softly, his eyes meeting Taegan’s steadily. “I… I’m impressed, actually. Although I shouldn’t be. Sometimes it’s easy to forget you’ve trained your whole life to rule.”
Taegan flushed at that, chuckling. “Well, that’s true, but it’s also because of Gorza’s help. And all the other orcs I’ve worked with. They’ve made my job quite easy.” His expression softened and he sat next to Zorvut on the bed again. “Everyone who has met you has only the best things to say about you, my love. They want to work with me only because I’m working in your stead, and they wantyouto be the one in power. I’m absolutely sure you’re going to be king.”
Zorvut paused at that, seeming to ruminate over the words for a long moment.
“There’s never been a king of the orcs before,” he said softly. “And now there will be two.” He frowned slightly, and looked over at Taegan. “How will that work with Aefraya, your father?”
“We’ll work with my father to figure something out,” Taegan replied with a wry grin. “I’m surprised at how much you’re concerned with the big picture so soon after waking up.”
“So much has happened so quickly,” Zorvut replied, shaking his head. “At least, that’s how it feels. Gods, I’m sore.” He moved as if trying to get out of bed, but stopped short quickly as a spark of pain shot through the bond. “Nngh—I forgot. Zesh… kicked me pretty hard.”
Taegan winced, nodding. “I know, I saw. The healers that looked at you said there’d be no lasting damage, but, well…” He laughed nervously. “They recommended nothing, ah, intimate for a few weeks, unfortunately.”
Zorvut let out a faint laugh even though Taegan could tell he was still in pain. “Unfortunate,” he agreed, squeezing his eyes closed. For a moment he remained perfectly still, then finally his muscles seemed to relax and slowly he fell back against his pillows again to lay back down. “Well, I’m awake, but I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere for a little while longer.”
“That’s alright,” Taegan said quickly, resting a hand on Zorvut’s forearm. “Take as long as you need to rest. Between me and Gorza, we’ll be alright in the meantime.”
A soft, joyful fondness trickled through the bond as Zorvut smiled up at him. Despite everything, there was a peace in his eyes Taegan could not recall ever having seen before, and he couldn’t help but return the smile. How could he not? His husband had come back to him. They were finally,finallytogether again—this time seemingly for good. Together they would be kings, and they would achieve Zorvut’s dream of uniting their kingdoms. How could he not be overcome with blind joy?
“Come here,” Zorvut said softly, extending his arms, and Taegan leaned in to kiss him. There was nowhere else he’d rather be.
18
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
“Do I look alright?”
Zorvut’s voice was nervous, an unsettled expression on his face when Taegan looked up at him in surprise at the question. Despite the nervous energy radiating from the bond, Taegan couldn’t help but smile when their eyes met, which Zorvut hesitantly mirrored.
“You look incredibly handsome,” he said, and it was the truth. His hair had grown out to nearly shoulder length, and he’d been keeping it in a similar half-shaved style like how it had been when they were first married, which Taegan had always found striking. He was dressed in a form-fitting tunic that had just been finished a few days before, a dark maroon with silver embroidery in sharp, angular designs that mirrored the strong angles of the crown that now sat upon his head. A thick and jagged piece wrought entirely of silver, it was artwork in its own right, and the slight peaks ascending up to the largest central point were reminiscent of the splendor of the mountain range always in the background of Drol Kuggradh, which was now their permanent home.
A slight flush crept up Zorvut’s cheeks at the comment, but through the bond he felt pleased if still rather embarrassed.
“It’s not too much?” he asked, gesturing at the outfit. He tugged slightly at the cord draped across his shoulders where his cape was attached, a thick, jet-black fabric that fell to his hips. “Maybe I should take off the cape.”
“No, the cape makes you look quite dashing,” Taegan said, stepping closer to fuss with his collar, although it didn’t really need any adjusting. “Maybe it is a little more elven in fashion, though. Of course, I don’t think anyone will get a good look at it while you’re sitting.”
Zorvut smirked at the remark, lifting his hands to hold Taegan’s against his chest. He could feel his nervous heartbeat thrumming under his fingers. “Maybe I’ll keep it, then.”
His eyes flickered down past Taegan’s hands to the baby held to his chest in a thick swath of dark cloth. “Still sleeping?”
