Page 29 of Orc's Forbidden Claim

I hadn’t realized that we were speaking Common. Sek’su seems to lose interest and moves off to explore the cave-in. Wren comes closer, invading my personal bubble. Her eyes are locked on mine, bright, insightful, and knowing. I try not to but cannot stop myself from grimacing.

“You didn’t trust me,” Wren whispers.

“Trust is… too strong,” I murmur.

She puts a hand on my arm, rubbing up and down with gentle pressure.

“It’s okay,” she says, barely a whisper. “I get it. It’s not like I came rushing to tell you about Sek’su.”

I force a smile but it’s tight and tough, my cheeks feel as if they’re cracking with the effort. I am glad she understands though.

“Thanks,” I say, shrugging.

The moment continues to be awkward and uncomfortable. But I don’t know why. I can’t keep my eyes on hers. I study the debris that litters the floor, and in my peripheral, I see the Urr’ki who saved me. He sacrificed himself for me. For me. Why?

“Come here,” Wren says, jerking me into an embrace.

She hugs me so tight I can barely take a breath. Panic rushes in and I push her away. Sweat pours into my eyes bringing along dirt. I’m panting desperately and trembling uncontrollably.

“Saylor,” Wren says, coming closer with open arms but I put my hands up to stop her.

“No, no…” I pant, shaking my head. “Give me… a… minute.”

I struggle to get myself under control. It feels like the mountain is crushing me. Again. I’m trapped. Can’t catch my breath. Fragments of the dream I had right before Khiara saved me drift through my thoughts, but they still don’t make sense.

“Okay, hon,” Wren says. “You’re safe now.”

She continues talking. The words don’t matter, but her voice does. It’s an anchor that pulls me out of the trap in my head. Finally, I take a deep, full breath. Along with air comes calm. I straighten, shake my head, then rub my hands over my face, heedless of the filth that I’m spreading.

“Sorry,” I say, shuddering one last time as I exhale heavily.

“Can I?” she asks, arms held out.

I look and see her clearly. Tears fill my eyes, my throat clenches, and I can’t speak but I nod opening my arms. We rush into one another and cling tight.

20

KHIARA

The tunnel does exactly what I expect it to, causing me to curse. I don’t dare explore much further because I don’t want to be too far from Saylor, but I know. This path will lead right to the Urr’ki village. Right to the Shaman.

I crouch and run my hand over the floor, feeling the stone. I close my eyes, focusing on my other senses. The stone will speak if you let it. I press my palm flat. I cannot take her closer to the Shaman. There must be a way without getting close. I might be able to slip her past the guards, which is already doubtful, but there is no way I can hide a lizard.

The layout of the tunnel ahead forms in my head. It’s not visual really, but an understanding that only some of us can achieve. An ability to commune with the mountain but more importantly for the mountain to respond. As my understanding comes so does a possibility. It won’t be easy, but any hope is better than none.

I give the mountain my thanks then stand and turn to return. I lower the shield on the lantern, not wanting to announce ourpresence. The explosion itself is sure to bring patrols, possibly both Zmaj and Urr’ki. Zmaj probably would be okay, but Urr’ki will be a problem.

When I come within sight of Saylor and the others she and Wrenlee are in a tight embrace. I pause my approach, sensing that not only have I missed something, but that I should not interrupt. She needs this and my understanding of what I missed is secondary.

Sek’su is at the far end of the tunnel inspecting the cave-ins. I shake my head. Can he not see that way is blocked without closer inspection? Do the lizards understand the mountain so poorly as that?

I watch him crouch and lean in closer but as I watch him, I realize he’s not actually looking. He’s giving the females privacy. Frowning I study him a little longer, wanting to be sure I am right before I give him more credit than I would have. A few moments though and I am sure I am right about his intentions.

Watching through narrowed eyes I can, at last, come to no other conclusion. Why else would he ineffectively poke at the boulders that block the passage? Shaking my head I grunt, which unfortunately is enough to interrupt the moment between the females.

Saylor’s eyes snap open and lock unerringly onto mine. My heart swells until it fills my chest and for a moment it feels as if it will not let the confines of bone and muscle contain it. That the swelling feelings of love I have for her will burst out of my chest, close the distance between us, and embrace her metaphorically and physically.

I take a step forward, stumbling over nothing, because all my attention is on her. She draws me in with the weight and gravity of the mountain itself. A pull that I never want to escape. Her lips curl into a smile and no matter that she is covered in sweat and dirt, she is beautiful.

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