Page 22 of Claimed By the Orc Emperor

Picking it up, she helps me put it on and steps back, smiling at her handiwork. “It is yours, Rainn. No charge.”

“Oh no,” I say, handing the strip of cloth to Axum, who tucks it into his satchel. “I have to pay. I can’t take it for free. It’s too extravagant.” My eyes widen as I look up at Axum. “I don’t have money. I cant…” My shoulders deflate as I look at the beautiful belt.

She smiles and inclines her head at my compliment. “If you would like to pay for it, come down to the market some day and help me sell. I would enjoy the company.”

“Done,” I say quickly. We chat for another few minutes before Duma’s booth is overrun with customers.

Axum and I meander around the market for a while more, stopping at every few booths. Many orcs, elves, and fairies bow to Axum, murmuring, “Your Highness” or “Your Grace.” Axum inclines his head, asking a few people how they are and inquiring about their health and their families. It makes me smile at how personable he is.

With no coins or anything to barter, I am content to window shop, but anytime I admire something for too long, Axum snatches it up and presses it into my hands, paying for the items himself. I roll my eyes, but don’t ask him to stop. His expression every time he buys something for me is so happy and excited when I allow him to do it.

Arms laden with things I want, but don’t really need, we’re walking towards the exit when an orc stops Axum, bowing low, then asking if he can have a few minutes of his time. The orc’s eyes dart to me quickly, then focus back on Axum. I wonder at it, but think nothing of it.

“Go,” I say, nodding towards the exit. “I’ll wait for you over there.”

Axum kisses me lightly, then turns his attention to one of his subjects.

I walk slowly to the exit, peeking at booths that I haven’t checked out yet. Since I don’t have coins, I can only look, but those that run the booths are happy to chat with me, telling me in great detail how they got started crafting whatever is on sale and inviting me to come back anytime to sit and chat with them.

It warms my heart how welcoming and friendly everyone is. I do miss Destiny, but not because of the city or my life there. It’s the familiarity and Kai that I miss. But the open and friendly nature of everyone here makes me realize that I really didn’t like Destiny all that much. Or at all, really. The people weren’t friendly and the area wasn’t really thriving. Jobs were scarce and the cost of living was going up at an alarming rate. Not much to miss on that front.

The best thing about that place was Kai.

As I meander about, I hear snatches of conversations, mostly about how great it is that Axum is mingling with the common people, showing that he cares about them. Most find him approachable and fair, while also being a stern leader to keep the kingdom afloat.

I smile as I listen to how much people love him. He’s told me a time or two how he is unsure if he’s doing the right thing, since his father wasn’t the best leader. But from what his subjects are saying, he’s doing well.

I also catch snatches of gossip about me and Axum when I walk past. A lot of people are surprised Axum has found a mate and are genuinely happy for him. I have to fight to suppress my grins.

Around ten minutes later, Axum returns to me, with a mischievous grin, almost like he has a secret he’s dying to share, but won’t.

Okay, big green orc. Keep your secrets.

We leave the market and Axum says we are going to a building about a mile away. While we walk, Axum shows me some of the oxiolly fields, some of the Xeasalo prancing about and Leocsela flying overhead. A few other animals make their presence known, hopping or scurrying in front of us. I take it all in with a grin.

When we reach our destination, Axum opens the door for me and ushers me inside. The seamstress bows deeply when she sees Axum and, to my surprise, bows just as deeply to me. I’m used to the acknowledgment over the past week or so, but nothing like this. It must be the whole ‘emperor’s consort’ thing.

“It is a pleasure to have you here,” the orc woman says. “I am Larshka. Please, tell me your signature colors and the items you would like.”

She pulls out a book and opens it, showing me some of the clothing designs that are native to Belzod. I pick some and Larshka gets to work, keeping up a running commentary when I ask her how she got involved with tailoring.

The hut we’re in has been passed down from her mother and father, and it was passed down from her grandparents, all the way back about eight generations. “I love my what I do,” she says fondly as he puts several pins in my clothing. “It was what I was meant to do. When I realized I was adept at magic for tailoring like my mother and father before me, I was very pleased.”

She’s such a sweet orc. God, I love all the people I’ve met here.

After my measurements are taken and the cloth is cut, Larshka hangs them all on a rack and says some words in orcish that I can’t understand, even with my necklace on. Must be her special brand of magic, because right before my eyes, the clothes morph and shrink.

“There,” Larshka says, waving her hand in a flourish. “Your items are ready. Do return if you require anything else.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“Yes, thank you for seeing us on such short notice,” Axum tacks on.

Larshka bows deeply again. “I am always be available to the emperor and his consort.”

When we’re outside, Axum’s arms weighed down with all my new treasures, I ask, “What is an emperor consort?”

“It means my mate. My subjects have accepted you as my mate.”

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