Page 62 of Orc's Possession
“You can’t buy more women,” she says, a desperation in her voice.
“I can and I will. You will have more of your kind among us. Does this not please you?”
“No. It doesn’t. Not unless they come willingly.”
“They will not.Youdid not. My people need females, or we will die as a species, Paloma.” I use her name now, hoping she will see how I honor her with more than telling her my plans. “They will be treated well. I promise this, as grak.”
“I know you mean well, Grak, but I was not treated well. I was viewed and talked down to like I was one of the animals sold in Pen’Kesh. Today, I thought we were finally making progress coming to understand each other. I even convinced myself that you cared about me as a person, that you were actually starting to listen to what I say. But now….” She shakes her head. “You can’t keep taking women against their will, Grak. It’s wrong.”
I suddenly hate hearing my title on her lips. I almost order herto call me Atox. She’s become so much more than a female whom I need to bear my younglings. This small female stands up to me better than any warrior I’ve ever known. Having her reach for me on her own, hearing her call me by my personal name, is vekking intoxicating. And I miss it.
“If the humans plan to sell females, then why shouldn’t we take them, especially when we need females. You are orc now, Paloma. If you think like an orc, then you will understand that I must put the interest of our people before my own, even at the displeasure of my mate. This is what it is to be grak.”
“I’m not orc and I never will be. You wish me to understand your perspective but you have no consideration for mine. I am nothing to you.”
With a single finger, I brush the soft skin of her cheek. “You are everything to me, female. My mate. My future. You will welcome me into your body night after night, giving me the relief and solace I need.”
“You want a sex slave.”
“I want a mate.”
“You say I have no rights except those you give me. That’s the definition of a slave.”
A growl rips from my throat. “I have not forced my cock inside you and I never will.”
Tears fill the corners of her eyes. “I was a fool to think you care about me. You’re no different from my father.”
Being compared to that weak male who sold his own daughter hurls me over the cliff I didn’t realize I’ve been walking since nearly losing her to the racanna. All the frustration rushes through me and there’s no one nearby to fight, no way of releasing the anger.
I punch an empty grain bin, the wood exploding beneath my fist. Paloma jumps back.
Suddenly, I understand her fear, having experienced it myself each time my grak used his knives on me.
I will not become Atox The Cruel, especially to my female.
Slowly, so she can see I will not harm her, I draw her against my chest and wrap my arms around her. Holding her brings a calm only she can give me.
“You are mine to protect. Mine to love. And you are part of my people now, but I am grak. I rule alone. It is the way it has always been. I would have said the same words to Ossa or even Verig if either had been with me and demanded to know what I planned.”
“I want to be valued. Is that asking too much?”
“I value you, as much as I do any of my people. More, because you belong to me.”
“You don’t want me, as a person, only what I can do for you. Give you children.”
I’ve been asking her to change for me, for my people, but perhaps I must do the same.
“It is not widely known yet, but yes, I’ve made an agreement with the humans to give us more females.”
She pulls away, shock on her face. “You can’t buy women.”
“I bought you.” I hold a hand up before she can speak again. “We need females. The humans offered females. It is a good trade.”
“If the women agreed, it would be a good trade, but they didn’t agree. Ididn’t agree.”
“Have you considered they are better off with us? That you are? The human colony has more females than males and lacks weapons like the bantarans have. We have warriors and the ability to defend, but few females. Each of the species here on Kovos lacks vital resources for survival. This is why Pen’Kesh exists. A place to trade. This is, I believe, an imbalance intentionally created by the cendagi. I must do what is necessary for my people. We need females, Paloma. You are the first of many.”
I see her digesting the information.
