Page 33 of Orc's Claim
I hate when he directs his comments to me. No one misses the undercurrent, especially me.
“Is it safe to take our breaks outside our sector?” Paloma asks, ignoring how much Owen’s being an ass. Or maybe she’s trying to distract him so he leaves me alone.
All I can think about is that the orcs haven’t returned since this morning. ThatRykohasn’t returned. It felt safer with himhere. Even if he doesn’t want to be with me, I know he’d never hurt me. He’d protect me; I know this down to my core.
Owen leans into Paloma. “I can escort you wherever you’d like, sweet cheeks.”
Paloma shoves him, starting an exchange of words that gives me the chance to slip away, unnoticed.
I make my way to Pen’Kesh’s center without anyone stopping me, but I have no destination in mind. I’m torn between looking for Ryko so I can demand… demand what, precisely? An explanation? An apology?
“Lily,” Ryko calls out.
I spin around, but don’t see him anywhere. I was sure I heard him.
Wishful thinking.
When I take another step, a huge green orc with dark green eyes and a fresh but shallow cut beneath his collar bone steps out from behind a tree in the market’s center. It takes me a second to recognize Ryko with his hair pulled back to the nape of his neck.
I quickly check to see who’s around. A few bantarans and moxxels mill about, focused on their food and conversation, but I don’t see anyone from my colony. They’re probably still watching the heated exchange between Owen and Paloma.
“My sweet Lily,” Ryko says.In public.
He takes a step toward me.
The hairs on my arms rise. He’s risking so much. Even if we’re no longer together, we can still get in trouble.
Powerful legs take another step, longer this time.
I shake my head, warning him not to approach.
But when he opens his arms and holds them open for me, I melt. The urge to run to him nearly overwhelms me. I lock my feet in place. I cannot go to him. Not here. Not now.
Confusion and hurt darken his features when I don’t run to him. His ridges tighten and his mouth clamps shut until his jaw muscles tick.
Whatever held me back, dissolves instantly when I see his hurt. I race into his embrace, all the anguish and doubt gone. Strong arms wrap around me, squeezing tight. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him, touched him. I inhale his scent and let myself breathe again, for what feels like the first time in weeks.
He pulls me into the shadows of a storm shelter where we stand simply holding one another for what must be an eternity before he picks me up and spins me around. Decadent lips slide up my neck to meet my ear.
“Forgive me. I meant to deceive Sojek, to protect our secret, not hurt you.”
And just like that, all is forgiven. I can’t stay mad at him. Ilovehim.
When he sets me on my feet and holds my face in his hands, I smile. Probably with the world’s biggest, sappiest grin. I feel young, light, and powerful, as if the universe belongs to me.
“I didn’t know what happened to you,” I sob into his neck as I hug him again. The tears I’ve been holding back escape and flow down my cheeks. “It’s been weeks, and I couldn’t ask any of the other orcs about you, not without risking?—”
His lips crush against mine, silencing me. “Forgive me, Lily. I beg of you.”
“I thought that you were done with me.” I try to hide the hurt, but this emotional rollercoaster has left me too raw to be brave, even for my sweet orc.
“I intended to return to Pen’Kesh the next day, to explain why I lied about who you are to me, but my grak ordered me to travel to our southern border.”
I sag against him in pure relief as I inhale his musk, the scent I’ve missed. “I never should have doubted you.”
“You are not to blame. But it is done. We move forward… if you still want me.”
I press my chin against his chest as I gaze up. “More than ever. But nothing has changed between our people. If anything, I thinkit’s worse after this morning. You and the other warriors standing at the entrance to my sector rattled everyone. My people won’t ever accept us being together. Neither will your grak.”
