Page 46 of Lost to the Orcs

He nods t’ me, “Och, I donnae see why that would be an issue.” Tapping two fingers t’ his chest, he takes his leave.

With his statement o’ good health, Ay can do what my mate needs.

“I think I misheard you.” She grumbles, eyes flinty an’ annoyed.

Ay smile, rows o’sharp teeth for her t’ see. She shivers in my arms. “No, you hear fine little mate. But if you forget, Ay’ll remind you.”

She flushes an’ clears her throat, “Uhm, what are you talking about?”

My smile turns int’ a grin. “Shall Ay demonstrate? You werenae safe, little mine.” Ay release her from my arms an’ stand up, looming over her. My claws gently caress her cheek. “You left ‘he mountain withou’ telling me or U’s. Ay’ll make sure you donnae do this again.”

She shakes her head. “Nah, I’m—I’m good.” Her breath comes out in soft puffs. Ay can smell her muted excitement.

A chuckle leaves me, “Was no’ request, little lost. Ay guide you. Teach you why you should tell us. E’ery time you leave ‘he mountain.” Ay trail a clawed finger down her throat before coming back up so Ay can cup her jaw.

“It was one time. Shouldn’t I get like a get out of jayul free kard?” She grumbles.

Ay hum, “Ay donnae know these words. Thus—

U’s clears his throat at the entrance o’ ouer rooms. She narrows her eyes at him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were taking Arawn to Narod.” She crosses her arms across her chest, both ouer eyes hone in on her breasts before she huffs in irritation an’ drops her arms.

He smirks at her, mischief in his eyes. “Apologies, sunkissed, Narod met me an’ took Arawn t’ ‘he nursery t’ play with ‘he other orclings.”

“Met you where?”

“Ach, is no matter. Come, Arawn is safe. Trust us.” She arches her brow a’ me. “Come, pretty mate.” Ay hold out my hand for her an’ she stares a’ me as if it’ll show her exactly what is going on in my head. But alas, she is left bereft an’ confused as she places her hand in mine.

She grumbles. “I’m not sure I’m going to like this punishment.”

Ay hum, “Punishment is no’ fun. Is lesson.” She pouts as Ay pull her t’ U’s who was holding a strip o’ cloth. Ay turn t’ her with an arched brow. She grumbles under her breath about males being pains in ‘he ass. But she leans forward so U’s can tie ‘he cloth around her head, covering her eyes completely.

Ay turn t’ U’s, speaking in ouer tongue. She might be learning it, but she is nowhere fluent. “Did you get it ready?”

He nods. “Ach,everything is ready.”

“Please,Meiksya,double check an’ wait for us. There are things Ay must care for first.”

Still holding her hand, we leave ouer room. “Little lost, you have fears? Deep an’ dark?”

Her lips pucker in thought. “My deepest fear?” Ay hum, my thumb caressing her wrist in approval. “Dying.” Am surprised by this answer, the After is beau’iful an’ full o’ love. Why would one be afraid o’ it? She continues in a rush, “Some people believe in a god or gods where I come from. Some people believe there is an afterlife where you are judged for your sins or your heart is weighed and found worthy or not. And then, others without faith or proof, like me, aren’t sure what happens. We believe, when you die you justdie. So it’s not even dying per-se, it’s the lack of existence after the fact. That I just disappear. The person I am. The thoughts in my mind. Everything that makes memeis just gone? How is that fair? It’s just—” She sighs cutting herself off, fingers twitching in my grasp, “Sorry. If I’m not lost thinking I can babble away the silence.”

My tongue clicks against ‘he roof o’my mouth with annoyance. “Ay like youer voice. Donnae feel embarrassed, pretty mate. Youer thoughts an’ youer mind are a delight t’ hear. Continue, please.”

A flush creeps across her cheeks, but she continues, “I just hate to think about it, because it just sends me straight into a panic attack. Tomorrow leads to next year; to the next 10. Then, a further future. Suddenly I’m old and my children are grown with babies of their own. And then I’m just dead. It’s endless darkness. And I—I start hyperventilating.”

Ay can see her spiraling, so Ay stop ouer walking an’ take her shoulders in my hands. Ay gently blow int’ her face, like Ay’ve seen her do for Arawn when he is having a ‘melt down’. “Breathe little lost. My sunkissed, breathe.” Ay caress her shoulders an’ upper arms with my palms. “Would you like t’ stop? Ay take off ‘he cloth?” Ay lift a hand t’ stroke ‘he edges o’he cloth. Ay weel rip it off if she asks. She takes deep breaths, softly counting. When she reaches ten she shakes her head. “Ay ken you need structure, pretty mate. Centered on t’day. Now. E’entually, we learn that futures no’ bad. T’day is gift o’hemother. T’morrow is full o’ blessings ouer father. Future is kept for ‘he kits.” Ay cup her cheeks in my palms, bending down, Ay gently press my lips t’ hers. Ay pull back before Ay can make it anything more. “We work on t’morrow. Later. T’day, Ay punish you, ach?”

Ay smile down at her, e’en if she cannae see. My amusement at her rolling her eyes beneath the cloth, unmeasured. “Such sass, pretty mate.” Ay hum disapprovingly, tapping her nose. Her lips thin an’ she whispers nonsense o’ reading minds. “Ay ken from youer lips. Lips are very expressive.” My thumb glides across her lower lip. Ay watch her contemplate nipping me.

“So what is my punishment?” She asks, her cheeks flushed a healthy glow.

“Ay havenae decided yet.” Ay lie. Humming. “Come, little lost, We find youer punishment, yes?” Placing her hand in mine once more, Ay tug her along down the hall.

She groans after a moment. “You don’t even know what it is?”

Ay laugh, t’ ‘he startlement o’ an Orc woman. She glares at me. Ay roll my eyes as we continue. “Ach, Ay know it woman.” Ay stop walking again, in plain view o’ anyone walking down this hall. She bumps int’ me, her head reaching ‘he beginning o’ my chest. Ay take her chin in my hand, tilting her head up. Ay can smell her anticipation, body taut with it. “Ay ken ‘he punishment for my pretty lost. Ay weel show you. Again an’ again, if Ay must.” Ay pull away walking again, “Come, Ay take you t’ youer punishment, but first, we travel ‘he mountain.”

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