My eyes fling open as I clamp my mouth shut. My teeth were chattering.
“No noise. It’s your imagination, Hercules. Go to sleep.”
“Who is Hercules?”
“A mythological hero whose father was a god. He was known for his strength, perseverance, and heroism.”
“Ah, then this name does not fit me. I am no hero and hold no favor with the gods.”
“Because you tempt women into your bed?”
He falls silent, and I wonder if I’ve misstepped. A moment later, he’s lifting me from the floor, but I don’t fight him. He left a light disc on low. For me, I suspect. Enough so I can see his face. I slide my arms around his neck, allowing him to carry me to the bed.
“This is only to sleep,” he says as he lays me on the bed and slides in behind me. My back is to him, and yet I don’t feel vulnerable. When he slings a huge arm over my waist and pulls me in against him, I realize he’s completely naked. His loincloth hangs on a peg by the light disc. But he doesn’t press his cock againstme, only holds me against him. Secure and warm. Safe. Baloq won’t be able to take me again.
I snuggle into my private furnace, realizing there is something much better than the orcs’ furs. I shouldn’t get used to this luxury, and it is definitely a luxury, a type I’ve never known. But I can enjoy it for a night or two.
“Why?” I ask.
“Why did I take you into my furs, or why did I not ask for your consent?”
“Why do you care what happens to me?”
“I once had a female. Haaka. I lost her in the war.” He swallows hard.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, suddenly understanding this male a little more. It’s horrible to lose someone you love. All those days alone in Baloq’s quarters, I swore I wouldn’t cry over Ethan because he’s still alive and well. I know I’ll see him again someday, but Verig will never see his mate again.
“Can you tell me about your mate?”
“She was very quiet, easy to please.”
He falls silent, and while I complained about him talking earlier, I find myself curious about him and his mate. “Tell me more.”
“Why do you wish to know of Haaka?”
I shrug. “You seem to need to talk about her.”
He grunts, though I’m not sure why. I don’t know him well-enough yet.
Yet? Fuck, I’m thinking as if I plan to know him better. I won’t be here a long time. “Tell me more, Neld.”
“I’m not neld here.”
“Verig, then.”
“My mate feared making trouble, which is why she rarely spoke her heart when she was mad. You are very different from Haaka in that way. You have much anger in you, but you do not hide it. It is as if you wish others to suffer with you.”
“I don’t want others to suffer, but they shouldn’t expect me to be happy when I’m miserable.”
“My people have much to learn about humans, but making you and the others suffer is not our goal. We provide food, shelter, and protection from those who would harm you. Are these not the jobs of human males, too?”
“You’re keeping me from my son. I will never be happy without him.”
Silence fills the room.
“Pash,” Verig says, shutting off the light and thrusting us into pure darkness. “I will find a way to reunite you with your son,” he whispers a moment later, as if he’s promising me this.
“My son needs to stay with the other humans in New Earth. I have to return to him.”
