“Am I in danger? Is Ethan?”
“I do not know. Yanzu left New Earth without a female and blames me for not allowing him to take you from Baloq. He believes I intentionally kept him from having you. He’s right.” Verig’s eyes meet mine. “I vowed I would never let anyone touch you. That includes Yanzu.”
“And now he is neld.” I can’t stop the shudder from moving through me. “Oh, god, this is going to be like Baloq all over again. But worse.”
“He will not touch you,” Verig vows, baring his tusks. “I will not allow it.”
My eyes follow Atox as he speaks with Yanzu. “You’re no longer neld. Yanzu is. You are powerless to stop him if he attempts to touch me.” I face Verig finally. “Everything is so messed up. You should have left Ethan where he was.”
“You needed him.”
“Now, Warrior!” Atox roars. “I gave you an order. Report to your neld.”
Verig takes off at a jog to seek out the new neld of the orc nation. He’s right, I need Ethan…but I need Verig, too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
TANSEY
For days I’ve watched Yanzu, the new neld, assign Verig menial tasks, from emptying out the elimination chambers to burying the unused parts of the animals caught for food and skins. The dirtiest, most degrading jobs in the camp.
None of these tasks uses Verig’s warrior or leadership skills, but that appears to be the point. Yanzu intends to humiliate Verig.
Ethan begged me to bring him to the gorja pens today after the midday meal. We come nearly every day, so we can watch the animals, but today I have something better to watch. Verig. He doesn’t look in my direction, though I’m sure he’s aware I’m here. Nothing escapes the male. He’s fully focused on his duties. Or he’s too disappointed in me to bother with me any longer.
That last thought leaves a hole in the middle of my stomach.
“Look! There’s Verig!” Ethan climbs the rails of the fence, hanging onto the top as he points to him.
I swear I see the corner of Verig’s mouth hitch up, but he doesn’t face us or acknowledge our presence in any way. Despite the muck covering his boots and the horrendous smell, Verig cleans the pens with efficiency and fervor.
My heart swells with pride, but I cannot bring myself to approach him. Or forgive him. I have my pride, too. Too much, perhaps. But this is more than pride. I’m torn over what to do. I don’t see how I can make a life for Ethan here.
“Get that youngling out of here,” Yanzu snaps at me as Ethan leans against the top rail of the gorja pen.
“Our graka gave us permission to be here,” I lie, still not sure how much authority Paloma has among the orcs. I doubt she would deny Ethan the chance to watch the gorjas. He hasn’t made friends with the few orc children running around, mostly because he’s afraid to leave my side. Afraid I’ll disappear again.
I know the feeling. I fear the same thing.
“The graka is not in charge of the gorjas. I am.”
Yanzu is mad at me and taking it out on a child.
“Is there an issue here, Neld?” Verig asks when he hears Yanzu’s raised voice. He’s as calm as ever, controlled, and not disrespecting Yanzu even though the new neld has been an ass to him all week.
My eyes drag over Verig quickly as he approaches Yanzu. I hold my breath, hoping he’ll look at me. Verig faces me, slowly. He’s covered in sweat and smells to high heaven, but damn, he’s as attractive as ever, and I swear those green eyes burn brighter when he looks at me.
“I’m sure Tansey will keep her youngling out of the pen.”
“You do not belong here, humans,” Yanzu says, ignoring Verig. “Return to the tunnels.”
“We are allowed to walk around.”
“Are you afraid the female and her youngling will distract your warriors, Neld? Warriors who shouldn’t be so easily distracted.”
I fail to hold in a chuckle as Verig boxes Yanzu in. I finally let go and laugh, not respectful in the least, but Yanzu hasn’t earned my respect. Not like Verig. Though I don’t want to get Verig in any more trouble than he’s already in.
VERIG
