Page 66 of My Orc Billionaire
If Sylvik was mistaken, or this was all an elaborate practical joke or something, I’d be devastated all over again.
Mate.
To be told I had a chance at that same happiness and fulfillment my cousin had found, only to lose it again? I’d be devastated. Better to be cautious.
Still…
“Sylvik, what doesdkaarmean?” Tarkhan had called my cousin that, and Abydos had used it to refer to me the last night we were together. “Sometimes Abydos uses that word.”
The male’s lips curled ruefully. “Beloved.Dkaarmeansbeloved, and that’s how Abydos feels about you, Riven.”
Mate.
Abydos
I paced,my hands clenching and unclenching, my heart racing, and myKteergrowling at the inactivity. I was nervous as shit, and there was nothing to do but wait.
“How long?” I barked.
Garrak, who lounged against the window in this prefab building at the center of the pit mine, didn’t even bother to check his watch. “Two minutes less than the last time you asked, boss.”
I sent him a glare. “They should have been here by now.”
With a sigh, my friend straightened and moved toward me. “They landed twenty minutes ago. Maybe Sylvik’s giving her a tour.” He reached me. “Maybe she’s doing her hair to look pretty.”
Riven’s hair was short enough I don’t think I’d ever seen herbrushit. “She always looks pretty,” I growled.
Garrak grinned and clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m so fucking happy for you, Abydos. You deserve this peace.”
Once, I might have objected, but now? I exhaled and flicked my tongue against my broken tusk. There was no pain now, but the taste of gold reminded me of mydkaar’s smile.
Solemnly, I met my friend’s gaze and nodded. “We all do.”
His fingers tightened on my shoulder briefly before he stepped back. “Thank you for making it possible.”
And that simple sentence reminded me what the stress of these last days had been for. I was terrified of what I had to do today, but gods willing, Riven would understand…and stand beside me.
What I did today, I did not just for her, but for the males who trusted me…and for the world we now lived in. The world we loved. But I wouldn’t be able to do it without her.
Riven. My head swiveled. She was here, I would know her scent anywhere.
The door opened. “Abydos?”
And the sun came out. My smile bloomed.
MyKteerrumbled as I rushed across the room to scoop her in my arms, to pull her close. She didn’t embrace me back, and when I saw how red her eyes were, I froze. I could smell her sorrow. Had she been…crying?
“Riven,” I whispered.
I watched her swallow, watched her pink tongue dart across her lower lip. Slowly, she extricated one hand from between us and lifted it to rest against the corner of my lips.
“You capped your tusk.”
Her words didn’t reveal her feelings on such a decision. I’d done it for her, because she told me I was worth it. “Do you like it?” I murmured around her fingertips.
To my surprise, tears sprang to her eyes. “Are you really my Mate?”
I glanced at Sylvik and away again, uncertain if I should be grateful he’d sprung the news so I didn’t have to…
