Silence prevails until a female with hair the color of fire steps from between several males. Wary eyes on me and Baloq, she wraps a blanket around Tansey and Ethan.
“Thank you,” Tansey says.
Her eyes lock on Baloq briefly before she backs her way into the group of humans, swallowed by the males once more. It proves what I already know. Their species is not without hope. Once they recognize the value of their own females, they will thrive on Kovos. Until then, we must remain vigilant.
I back out of the shelter, guiding Tansey and our youngling, followed by Sojek.
Baloq remains a moment longer before exiting. As he sheathes his swords, he says, “I warned them to remain inside for an hour past the storm, so we will have time to leave Pen’Kesh.”
The five of us exit the human quarter, returning to the neutral territory of the common area. “I cannot revoke your exile, Baloq, even though you’ve proven yourself here. But I will tell our grak all that you’ve done. Much will depend on his mood, and the repercussions of our battle with the humans and vints today.”
“Understood, Neld.”
“He’s not neld,” Tansey says, eyeing Baloq. She clings to me, and I see the fear in her face, though I’m not sure if it’s directed at Baloq or a residual effect from the battle earlier. That’s when I notice Ethan hasn’t looked at me. His head remains buried against his mother’s chest.
I sheath my sword and lift him from Tansey, who looksexhausted. “Little Warrior, the battle has ended. You may open your eyes now.”
When he shakes his head, I lightly cup his cheek. “He’s vekking cold,” I say as the blanket slides off his shoulders. Tansey re-wraps it around him.
“We need to get him home, Verig.”
I rub tiny circles against his back. “I wish to take you home, Ethan. To the tunnels in Mount Racha. Would you like that?”
He does not speak as his tiny hands wrap around my neck and cling to me.
“I must leave, Neld,” Baloq says. “The vints will mass soon, and I do not wish to be caught in Pen’Kesh without a second.” He turns to Tansey. “I do not regret taking you from the human colony, female, as my neld never would have found his mate otherwise. I did not see it at the time, but now I know my treatment of you was more akin to vint than orc. That is my only regret.”
Baloq draws a knife from his harness, tosses it in the air, and catches it by the blade, then offers it to her.
“Keep your knife,” she says sternly. “You may need it during your exile. The only knife I’ll ever carry is Verig’s. Her hand rests on my knife at her side.”
He nods, sheathes the knife, and starts walking toward the woods, where he no doubt left his gorja.
“Baloq?” Tansey calls, stopping him. “I will never forget how you treated me, but I see great promise in you. An orc who can admit when he’s wrong has an admirable and rare strength. I truly believe and hope that you will find a female that will wish to mate you.”
The corner of his lip rises in a grin before he disappears into the woods.
I kiss the top of Tansey’s head. “Does this mean you will be mine?”
“I thought I already was.” Her hand joins mine on Ethan’s back. “We. If you still want us, Verig. Both of us.”
“Female, I already told you I’ve accepted the youngling as my own, whether you accept me or not. You are the one avoiding risha.”
“I had to be sure.”
“Of me?”
“No, of me. And our place among your people. I still fear for Ethan, but I know you won’t let anyone hurt him.”
“Do you hear that, youngling? Your mother approves of me at last. I think we should go home and celebrate.”
Her hand caresses my face, and I see the love in her eyes, moments before they go wide as they take in the long cut along my arm. I shake my head, telling her not to say anything. The youngling is scared enough, and my wounds are not life-threatening.
We walk to the edge of the market, to the trail that leads to the cave where Sojek sheltered our gorjas. The cart lies beneath a felled tree, crushed.
Tansey sucks in a breath.
“It’s just a cart,” I say. “We will build a new one. Sojek, bring the gorjas.”
