Page 12 of Orc's Promise
“Back home, I’m not forced to live with a male I don’t want to be near.” I point to Baloq. “Here, I am. That brute keeps telling me I’m his, that he’s going tomateme, Paloma!”
“He’s a warrior with orders not to touch you without your consent. He won’t defy those orders, Tansey.”
“Yeah, right,” I mutter under my breath.
“Has he forced you?” she asks.
“It’s only a matter of time.”
“Is that what they’re fighting about?” She points to Baloq and Verig, who resumed arguing while their king listens to both. “I’ve been on bed rest since we returned last week, so I’m a bit behind on everything going on. Ossa finally gave me permission for short walks yesterday. I met with Phoebe and all the other women to straighten out this precise type of situation. We’ve cleared out a large chamber that housed warriors so all the women could bunk together. I didn’t even know you’d been taken. You weren’t in the group I met. I guess you were showering at the time.”
“He doesn’t let me mingle with the others. And when he’s not with me, he locks me in his quarters.”
Paloma shakes her head, genuinely surprised. “I don’t understand how this happened. Verig?” she calls him over.
Since their king is presently arguing with Baloq, Verig joins us. He slaps a knife against his chest in greeting to her, a sign of respect I’ve only seen him offer their grak. No one else.
“Why isn’t Tansey living with the other women?”
“That is what Atox and I are discussing with Baloq. I told all the warriors of your decree that all females are to sleep in the women’s quarters unless they choose to be with a warrior.” His eyes shift to me. “I thought she’d chosen him. Of her own will.”
“Hardly,” I scoff.
“Did Baloq know you did not want him?”
“I made that quite clear. Repeatedly. But what I wanted didn’t matter. Like my wanting to return to New Earth doesn’t matter.”
“This discussion is about Baloq, female. I did not realize he held you against your will, not until today. You should have spoken up sooner.”
“How could I? He hasn’t let me go near anyone,” I bark at Verig, taking my anger and frustration out on him. It’s undeserved; he’s not the problem here. If anything, he’s the solution. Helistenedto me and immediately freed me from Baloq.
The grak’s voice rises as he steps closer to Baloq, who’s smart enough to slam a knife over his chest to honor his king. Baloq stands there, not moving a muscle or arguing with Atox.
A sense of hope moves through me.
A moment later, Atox advances toward us, gently wraps his arms around Paloma, and tucks her safely against his side. “Female,” he addresses me. “You will move into the females’ quarters immediately. Baloq retains the right to pursue you, but he may not mate you without your permission. This is our law.”
“Court, Atox,” Paloma says. “The term isto court. Or date, even. Not pursue, like he plans to capture and force her.”
The orc king grunts in response to her correction, but doesn’t reprimand his mate. That is rather encouraging.
“What if Baloq doesn’t listen?” I ask.
“He will listen,” Verig growls, glaring at Baloq, who watches from a distance.
Paloma squeezes my hand. “See? Problem fixed. Try smiling, Tansey. I know this place is different from New Earth, but I promise you’ll learn to love it here, including the people.”
Despite Paloma’s good intentions, my plans haven’t changed. One way or another, I will find my way back to my son.
Paloma inhales sharply, holds her breath, then relaxes. “This baby’s got a powerful kick.”
Ethan. I miss my little boy.
“Ovakani beru Atox feratu Pawloma,” the female orc says to their king, who turns Paloma back in the direction she came.
“Sorry,” Paloma calls back to me. “Ossa wants me to rest. Everything will be fine. Give it time, okay? And visit me when you can. Ask any of the orcs, and they’ll lead you to my quarters.”
I’m left alone with Verig. His eyes rake over me slowly, and then he inhales deeply. His chest rises, muscles expand, and he looks larger than ever. As I’m about to look away, his lower lip curls back slowly, seductively, and he flashes his tusks at me.
