Page 22 of Captured By the Orc

The world fractures into a million shards of light, pulling at our molecules, stretching us thin across the infinite expanse. I hold on to Lila’s hand, anchoring her to me, ensuring she’s swept up in the cosmic dance that’s about to play out aboard my ship.

We reassemble in the dim glow of my quarters, the transition from warship to sanctuary is jarring yet oddly fitting. Lila stumbles against me, her body a warm, welcome pressure that ignites something primal deep within.

This close, I take in the details—the way her uniform clings to her athletic form, the subtle shake of her hands that she’s too proud to show.

“Garoth—”

The feel of her breath sends a shiver through me, and I’m suddenly aware of how much I crave—no, need—her.

“Here, you’re not a diplomat. You’re not a warrior.” I lean in close, letting my words brush against her skin. “You’re Lila. Just Lila. And right now, you’re mine.”

The intensity of my declaration rattles me. We were enemies by birth, lovers by choice, and every second with her is a battle against the darkness I’ve always known.

“Yours?” she echoes, her defiance rising like a flare in the night sky. But there’s a tremor in her tone, betraying her desire.

“Prove me wrong,” I challenge, and my grip on her tightens involuntarily.

For a breathless moment, there’s hesitation. Then, her fingers dig into my arms, pulling herself closer until there’s no space left for doubt or fear, just the heat of her body melding with mine.

The taste of her is a promise of a future I never dared to dream of—a future where a bounty hunter orc and the diplomat might just find peace in each other’s arms.

CHAPTER 11

EPILOGUE

LILA

The light of the cosmos filters through the cockpit’s canopy, glinting off my wedding ring as I gently lay our son in his crib. He murmurs, a soft sigh stirring the stillness. His little hands are in tight fists and my heart swells at how this is the hardest, yet most rewarding job I’ve ever had.

I slip into the cockpit of our new ship, using parts of Garoth’s old ship for sentimental reasons. But with little Jorah, we couldn’t stay in Garoth’s one-man vessel.

This one is ours, a symbol of the life we’ve clawed from the galaxy’s teeth. The stars beyond the viewport twinkle and I’ll never get over seeing them so close.

Garoth is a mountain of muscle, his back a roadmap of battles won and scars earned. But right now, he’s just my orc. A gentle giant with a warrior’s heart.

“He’s finally asleep?” he asks, holding out his arms and I nod.

I curl into his lap, the warmth of him grounding me like a gravity well, his presence more reassuring than any shield.

“Autopilot’s on,” he rumbles, his hands a blur of expert movements across the console. His voice is a low growl, avibration that resonates through me, sending delicious shivers up and down my body.

“Spill,” I murmur, nuzzling his neck. His scent is a heady mix of metal and wild, like a storm brewing on an alien world. It’s intoxicating.

Passion flares between us, hot and unpredictable. “Tell me about the new assignment.”

His hands find me, big and strong, calloused from combat yet tender in their touch. For a heartbeat, it’s just us, the heat between us a blazing star. His touch ignites a wildfire within me, each caress leaving trails of stardust on my skin.

“It’s a tricky one,” he says, his breath hot against my ear. “Diplomacy and... other stuff.” He grins, that crooked, sexy grin of his that never fails to make my heart race.

I arch a brow, a playful challenge in my eyes. “Dangerous stuff?” My tone is teasing. We’ve chosen this life and ever since I gave up my diplomatic mantel, I’ve felt like I’m helping more than just my adoptive planet, I’m making a difference in the whole damn universe.

His dark eyes hold mine, a storm of emotion brewing within them. Desire, protectiveness, and a hint of worry swirl in their depths. “Always is with me,” he promises. But there’s vulnerability there too, a raw honesty that makes my heart ache. His fingers trace my jawline, gentle despite their strength.

I lean in, our lips nearly touching, the anticipation electric between us. “Then let’s make it our adventure,” I whisper in a low and husky tone. “Together, we’re unstoppable.” I seal our fate with a kiss, fierce and passionate, a promise of galaxies explored, dangers faced, and a love that will burn brighter than any star.

As we break apart, breathless, Garoth’s grin turns roguish. “Ready to conquer the universe, my little warrior?”

I settle more comfortably in his lap, my fingers intertwining with his. “With you? Always,” I reply, my eyes fixed on the vast expanse before us, filled with challenges and wonders waiting to be discovered.

---