“It’s a long story. But ultimately, I came to know Atox, their grak, and agreed to marry him.”
“But he’s so angry.”
“Not normally.” I squeeze her hand in mine. “He’s a good person, Lily. I promise you.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” She doesn’t look convinced.
“How far along are you? Looks like five months.”
“Four. I think my belly’s bigger than it would normally be because the baby’s half-orc.” She giggles. “Nothing about these orcs is small.”
Damn, but she hasn’t changed a bit. Except for the baby. Lily’s her usual fun-loving, cheery self. If anything, she’s more relaxed than she ever was in New Earth. It fills my heart with joy to see her so happy.
“Paloma, why did you think I was dead?”
Because Atox told me so.
“It’s a long story. We’ll talk later. Do you speak any Orcan?”
“A little. Ryko’s been teaching me, but it’s been slow going. I don’t have an ear for languages. We converse in English mostly.”
“Here’s a good chance to practice. None of the women here speak English. Go sit. Introduce yourself.”
“I don’t know them.”
“Talk babies. I’m sure that will get the conversation going.”
After I point Lily to a fire where several woman are sewing tunics, I join Atox who is reprimanding Ryko.
“After the healer sees your female, you will take her and relocate to Totha. There is a healer there as well who will aid your female with the birth. Do not disobey me again, Ryko.”
“You honor me, Grak,” Ryko says, slapping a knife flat against his chest.
I wait for Ryko to walk away before unleashing my anger on Atox. “You lied to me. You told me Lily was dead.”
“You assumed it.”
“But you knew what I believed, and you didn’t correct me.”
“It was best that way.”
“It’s not for you to decide what is best for me.”
“It is my duty, as your mate and your grak. You still haven’t learned that, female. There will be things I cannot tell you, andthis was one. Are you coming to Pen’Kesh to see your sister or will I go alone?” He swings up onto his gorja.
Sojek waits nearby, sitting on the driver’s seat of the gorja-led cart. I climb into the back of the cart, without seeking Atox’s permission.
“Graka?” Sojek asks, his eyes darting between me and a furious Atox.
“Drive, Sojek,” I say. “I’ll be fine back here. Atox doesn’t want a lowly human with him.”
A moment later, I’m pulled out of the cart by my tunic and lifted onto Atox’s gorja with him. One massive arm locks around my waist and the other grips the reins.
“Now we go.” Atox spurs his gorja forward.
I sit rigid between his thighs, not fully sure why I’m mad at him, except the fact that he lied to me about Lily. I know I’m not being fair, that there will be times he can’t tell me what’s going on, for the sake of keeping his people, damn…ourpeople, safe. But it feels like he doesn’t trust me. Lily has been living with Ryko somewhere isolated. Forfourmonths. Atox knew she was alive this whole time. It makes me wonder what else he’s lied about.
“I wouldn’t have told anyone,” I say an hour into our ride. “Especially if it would have put Lily in danger.”
