Page 95 of Orc's Possession
“Which is why I punished him.”
The clomping of three pairs of hooves striking the ground reaches us moments before a tall warrior sitting atop a gorja comes into view. It’s him, the young warrior I remember from that day in the market, when the vints surrounded him. Back when Lily begged for me to help save him.
The warrior didn’t need saving. Lily did.
Shouts of joy and welcome lift into the air around the camp as dozens of orcs run to greet Ryko.
Atox marches toward him, ire in his face. “You disobeyed another order, Ryko. I told you not to return until I sent for you.”
The crowd quickly disburses. “It was necessary, Grak. Myfemale isn’t well, and I have no healer nearby.” Ryko slides from his gorja, revealing a woman behind him.
I gasp. “Lily! You’re alive!” I run to her, past Atox who stands several feet from the gorja, staring at Lily’s belly.She’s pregnant! Super pregnant!
Ryko lifts Lily off his gorja like she weighs nothing even though she’s a big girl, larger than me, and pregnant! She glows as Ryko kisses her forehead the moment he sets her down. Never have I seen a happier woman. I’m so relieved she’s alive. And safe. Andhappy!
“Congratulations!” I say, hugging her. “I can’t believe how happy you look, Lily. You’re beaming!” I glance at Ryko, who watches our interaction closely, but he doesn’t crowd Lily. This orc cares about her. Loves her.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, stunned to see me. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Her gaze scans the camp and the dozens of orc staring at her. “So many people…”
“You’ve never been here?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “The orc’s grak cast Ryko out as punishment, though it’s not permanent. I’m not sure when, but we’ll be allowed to return, eventually. At least that’s what he told Ryko. We’re not supposed to be here.” She pats her stomach. “But our little one has been kicking up a storm. Ryko’s nervous. He doesn’t understand that’s normal.”
“Maybe for an orc woman it isn’t. Either way, I’m so glad you’re alive!” I grab her by her hand and lead her toward one of the campfires where some of the women and kids are eating breakfast. “Let me introduce you to some of the others.”
“I have not dismissed her,” Atox says, the displeasure in his voice clear.
I spin on my heels and tilt my head, still not sure what’s going on with him. “I’m taking her to get something to eat and drink. Riding a gorja isn’t the most comfortable, and I’m guessing in her condition even less so.”
“The other females will see to her. We have a trip to take. To Pen’Kesh.”
“Today? Now? You just returned. I was hoping we could spend some time together in our chamber.”
“If you wish to see your sister, we go. Now. Sojek, get the cart and my gorja.”
“How about tomorrow, Atox? My sister will still be there.”
“Now or not at all.”
“Fine. Now.” I don’t like ultimatums, but I want to see my Cami and time on his gorja will give us a chance to talk.
I turn to Lily. “I’m guessing now that you’re here, you’re not leaving again so soon. We’ll catch up when I return from Pen’Kesh.”
“How long have you been here?” Lily asks.
I pat her belly. Her shirt, the one I’d last seen her in, doesn’t cover her baby bump. “Not long enough to beat you in the baby department.”
“You need a guy for that first, Paloma.”
“I have one. The angry one barking orders.”
“Their grak?” She looks horrified. Fair enough. Atox isn’t exactly showing his best side at the moment. I have to find out what’s bothering him.
Back in Pen’Kesh, with my produce table next to Lily’s leather goods, we spoke often. I thought her naïve when she talked about orcs as if they were similar to humans. As it turns out, Lily knew what she was talking about. I, on the other hand, was closed-minded.
“I was sold to the orcs a month after you disappeared.”
“Sold?”
