“Ican’t have sex in front of others,” I protest. The need to escape and avoid this ceremony grows exponentially with every mile closer we come to Mount Racha. “It’s humiliating.”
“It’s natural,” my future husband says.
“Sex is natural. Having an audience isn’t.”
His hand snakes under my tunic. I smack it through the tunic, but that doesn’t dissuade him from thumbing my nipple. He chuckles, which might normally soften me to him, but this whole public sex thing terrifies me.
“Getting me all revved up won’t make me say yes.”
“You no longer want me?” he says, no teasing in his voice, just surprise.
“I want you, Atox and I’d beg you if I thought that would work, but it would probably make you think less of me.”
“Orcs don’t beg.”
“Which is why I’m trying to use logic. Or are you going to tell me orcs don’t use logic?”
“We do. When it’s to our advantage. If you fear this, I’ll use the same tactic I employed after I discovered you feared the dark.”
“Make love to me in the dark? Yes, let’s do that. No one will see anything.”
“That was to help you confront your fear, Paloma. You learned not to run from the dark. And you will not run from this, not if you wish to be my mate.”
“Atox, I just can’t. Not if anyone’s watching.”
“There is no risha without my top warriors to witness.”
I swallow. Hard. “That’s not logic. It’s a threat.”
“It is our law. Risha must be witnessed. You will not be harmed.”
He’s always reminding me that he’ll protect me. I believe him, but it doesn’t remove the humiliation awaiting me.
Atox lays his arm across me, pulls me close, and nuzzles my ear. “This is tradition, Paloma. There is no shame if you don’t allow it. Our people will not think less of you.”
Ourpeople.
There is no good argument against cultural norms, not without insulting him and his people.Ourpeople.
We approach the camp. Nothing will save me from this, unless I say I don’t want him. But I want him, with all of my being.
Atox presses his mouth against my ear. “Hold your head high like the orc you are.”
I’m not orc.
Then, as if sensing my thoughts, he kisses the back of my neck and leans his head against mine. “You are as strong as any orc I know, Paloma. Don’t let your fear control you. I need you, more than I ever thought I would need anyone. Be strong for me and accept me into your body for my warriors to witness. And then we will be one.”
As we reach the last section of trees before the mountain, thehairs on my arms stand on end. I don’t mean to, but I dig my nails into his thighs where I’m holding on.
“You are strong,” he whispers in my ear.
“Can you blindfold me?”
“You must see the male who claims you.”
“I want to see you and only you. I don’t want to know others are watching.” I stop short of admitting I’m afraid, because that would be the equivalent of saying I don’t trust him to protect me.
“And you will keep your eyes open,” he adds as he slides from the gorja.
