Page 73 of Nico

How long I'd been unconscious? Hours? days?

"I thought,” I said slowly, forcing calm into my voice, "I was your Orc King."

He laughed softly, the sound was almost bashful.

"Oh my!” He rubbed the back of his neck. "You don't mind if I call you Your Majesty?"

His voice carried genuine uncertainty, like he honestly feared disappointing me.

"No, not at all,” I lied.

The relief that flooded his face would've been touching if the circumstances weren't horrifying.

"Oh, thank goodness." Before I could react, he hurried forward. Then he dropped onto one knee, right in front of me, his head bowed.

One trembling hand reached toward my leg. Every instinct screamed at me to kick him away. Instead, I forced myself to remain still as his fingertips lightly brushed the hem of my jeans.

His touch lingered with almost religious reverence, as if he was a pilgrim touching a sacred relic. Revulsion churned violently in my stomach, and every muscle wanted to recoil.

I swallowed it down and reminded myself to play along for now. If he believed I accepted this, maybe he'd lower his guard.

"Rise, loyal subject,” I said quietly, feeling ridiculous.

His entire face lit up. He actually obeyed. He stood immediately, smiling so hard his cheeks flushed pink. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

I needed information fast.

"So,” I kept my tone conversational. "What should I call you?"

"My name's Kyle." His voice softened. "Kyle Mercer."

He smiled shyly. "But I really like it when you call me your Kyle."

"I'll remember that."

"I knew you would."

There it was again. Absolute certainty, as if this conversation had happened a thousand times already inside his head.

"So," I continued, "how long have I been here?"

Kyle tilted his head. "Not long. You slept almost the whole drive."

Drive? How far had he taken me? Into the mountains? Another state? Before I could ask another question, a distant sound drifted through the trailer walls. A car engine.

Kyle’s shoulders stiffened, and the twitching returned to his fingers. The engine grew louder, closer.

His expression darkened with astonishing speed. It was like watching storm clouds swallow the sun. His eyes narrowed. His jaw clenched so tightly I heard his teeth grind.

"Seriously?" he muttered. He stomped toward the trailer door. "I drove all the way into the mountains."

Another vehicle door slammed outside. Kyle threw both hands into the air. "I picked somewhere nobody comes!"

I could hear muffled voices through the walls, and one was instantly familiar.

“I told you..." That was definitely Tony.

Another panicked voice answered immediately. Nico.