Fated To The Orc King

Chapter 38

▪️I Z A R A▪️

The price of peace, I thought.

Was this really worth sending one of my best friends to live among the fae? Was Golnar really fated to the Fae King?

As the final confrontation loomed over the battlefield, my heart raced in my chest like a wild stallion. The Fae King, Alaric, his features etched with slight arrogance, stood at the forefront of his army, his voice resonating through the tense air as he demanded Golnar in exchange for the elusive promise of peace.

The Isle of Wrobel's fate seemed to rest on the edge of his cruel ultimatum.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, ominous shadows across the battlefield, a revelation struck with the force of a lightning bolt. King Alaric declared Golnar to be his fated mate, a revelation that sent shockwaves of disbelief through the air.

I stood as a silent observer, my breath held in anticipation.

It was interesting to see Golnar like this, facing Alaric with a fire in her eyes that seemed to burn as brightly as the fiercest sun. It was a sight to behold, a testament to the indomitable spirit that had seemingly always been inside her.

Yet, amidst the blaze of her resolve, there was a subtle nuance of hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty that danced beneath the surface. It was as if she grappled with the weight of this moment, torn between the loyalty she held for her comrades and the daunting responsibility that now rested upon her shoulders.

The pause, however fleeting, spoke volumes. It reminded me that even the strongest among us had their moments of doubt, their internal battles to reconcile duty with personal conviction. Golnar, for all her unyielding steadfastness, was not exempt from this inner conflict.

"Why are you hesitating to come to my side, Golnar?" Alaric enquired.

Frowning slightly, she took a moment before replying, "I just want to make sure that you won't go back on your word, especially since your past negotiations with my kind have been full of trickery and lies."

"Enough blood has been spilled," the Fae King admitted. "I promise, the devastation ends here, today. There is a way to cease this senseless war and spare your realm from further destruction."

My fists tightened at my sides as I felt a surge of anger and protectiveness wash over me.

"And what is this way?" Baldur asked, his tone demanding.

Alaric's answer hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. "As I just said, hand Golnar over to me and everything will be fine. She is my fated mate, bound to me by ancient ties. In return, like I promised, I will order my forces to stand down, and the conflict will end. Your kingdom will be spared."

"You ask us to sacrifice one for the many," I stated, my gaze focused on the Fae King. "But there can be no true peace built upon such a foundation of betrayal."

"I assure you, there is no betrayal," Alaric retorted.

Golnar stepped forward, her presence commanding as she huffed out, "And what assurance do we have that you will honour this agreement? After everything you've done, how can we trust that you won't turn your army on my people once you have what you want?"

I felt the weight of the silence that followed, the gravity of the situation pressing upon us. My gaze shifted from Golnar to Alaric, searching for a glimmer of truth amidst the shadows.

"My word is all I have left to offer, which I know is not much right now," Alaric's voice held a solemn resonance.

Baldur's rejection of the proposition was swift and unyielding as he said, "We will not trade one life for a false peace. There must be another way, Alaric."