Page 33 of Orc's Pretend Mate

As if my thought triggers it, there is a loud rumble in the distance. Signs that the Paluga awakens, or so the Shaman says. He claims once it awakens this world will be reset in fire.

The rumbling becomes a quake. Dust falls from the ceiling. I grab Phoebe and pull her to my chest, hunching over to protect her if anything falls. The quake is small compared to the recent events, more a tremor.

A fitting metaphor for the effect Phoebe has had on my life.

As the quake ends I take a quick glance for damage but all I see is that the kitchen cabinet doors have swung open and a few things have fallen out. Phoebe has her arms wrapped tightly around my waist and her face is pressing hard to my chest. When I straighten, she doesn’t let go, clinging while her tears moisten my shirt.

“I won’t let them take you from me.”

She looks up at me, her glistening eyes searching mine. Her soft lips are pursed into a hard line.

“Do you think they believed us?”

I hesitate, my heart pounding. The words come unbidden, raw and honest.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

Her breath catches, and for a moment, the world narrows to just the two of us. Whatever comes next, I know one thing with certainty: I will fight for her, no matter the cost.

21

PHOEBE

My heart thumps against my ribs with all the force of a hammer breaking down a wall. My stomach churns, fueled by fear and a creeping sense of dread.

“What are we doing?” I whisper, trembling.

Vapas moves one hand to the back of my head while his other hand is on the small of my back. The pressure is comforting.

“Surviving,” he says, every bit as soft as I spoke.

I cling to him and I think he might be clinging to me too. Moments slip past and no matter how much I don’t want this moment to end this sense of impending danger builds until I finally let go.

I dry my eyes on my sleeve, clear my throat, then look at the mess the quake left. Stuff is scattered across the kitchen floor. Cabinet doors drift lazily back and forth like some kind of weird metaphor for the way I feel.

Several candles that normally illuminate the home and give off a warm and cozy light have fallen. Fortunately most everythingis made of stone, not wood, so the flames went out instead of creating more problems.

“We should…” I wave my hand around.

“Yes,” Vapas agrees.

Good job, Phoebs, avoid the real questions. Ignore what you feel. What we were… what we almost…

Nausea hits so fast it makes me dizzy and I retch. Unsure if I’m about to be sick I run to the small closet bathroom, dropping to my knees in front of the toilet. It passes as fast as it hit with nothing more untoward. I wait a moment, crouched on the floor, to make sure it’s not going to return.

When I get up and turn around Vapas is right there and the worry on his face is unmistakable.

“Nothing,” I say, cheeks burning. His frown deepens. “I’m fine. I promise.”

His large frame is imposing and just for an instant fear flutters through my brain causing a cool sweat to bead on my skin. I’m trapped, again. Unwilling, not wanting this, but no way out. I raise a hand to push him aside, but before I touch him he takes a big step back.

Surprise leaves me staring, unsure what to do now. That simple gesture, his awareness that he was creating an effect on me…

Kind. Understanding.

Is this not what love is supposed to be? Knowing and understanding the person you care about?

Vapas clears his throat, breaking the silence.

---