Prologue

PROLOGUE

WRENLEE

( A UTHORS NOTE: This is the epilogue from Orc's Desire, Book 31 )

"Wrenlee, can you tell us what you think about the current situation?"

I look up from my dinner, forcing my smile into place. It's so long practiced and well-grooved in that I don't even have to think about it. Two reporters, at least that's what they consider themselves, stand on the opposite side of the table with tiny notepads in their hands.

Reporters for what or to what purpose, I don't have any clue. The only way it makes sense to me is that it's routine. Familiar. Every move we, humanity that is, made there have been a few who consider themselves the ‘informers' of the public. In that first city, we lived in after the crash and even in the bunker, they were hand publishing pamphlets with the latest news. I haven't seen anything like it since we moved in with the Cavern Zmaj, but I also can't say I'm surprised they're back at it.

"What situation are you referring to?" I ask, keeping my smile carefully fixed in place.

The woman on the left widens her eyes in surprise as if I'm the idiot for not knowing what she's talking about. The other one elbows her in the side, and she schools her face back into careful neutrality.

"Of course, she's not aware of it," the one who elbowed says softly, "we haven't reported it yet."

"Ahem, of course," the wide-eyed one says. "The Urr'ki, who just joined us, want to lead an assault on their people."

"They do?" I ask, arching a carefully plucked and shaped eyebrow. "You're sure about that?"

That's not what I heard, but I'm not going to say anything these two can use against me.

"That's what our sources say, yes," Elbows says.

"I see," I say, nodding and affecting a serious look. I tap one finger on my precisely pursed lips. "Well, my opinion only, of course, is that I trust our leadership. Rosalind has done a wonderful job of navigating all these concerns."

"I have to ask," says Wide-eyes, interjecting herself again. "Wrenlee, where did you get that outfit?"

"This ol' thing?" I ask, looking down at it, lifting my arms and, hiding my own disgust at it. "It's just something I threw together for the day."

Wide-eyes laughs and shakes her head, dutifully making a note in her book.

"If you don't mind," I say, looking down at my food that is rapidly getting cold.

"Oh, of course, thank you," Elbows says, then drags the other one away.

I keep my sigh hidden.

"They never give you a break," Emery says.

"No, they never do," I agree, chewing on my food thoughtfully. I swallow, take a drink, then sigh again. "I miss Ziva. She was always better at dealing with them."

Emery nods and pats my arm while Iris makes a sound with her lips that's a cross between a smack, a kiss, and a sigh. Ayla clears her throat. We all miss Ziva. She's gone though, so what do we do now? Linger on our loss or keep on moving? I know what Ziva would say and it's what we've all done, to the best of our ability anyway.

I lift another forkful towards my mouth when I hear a scuffle behind me and someone bumps into me. All the food falls off as I exclaim in surprise more than pain.

"Hey!"

"I am so sorry," a deep voice answers.

I look over my shoulder and drop my fork as I look up. And up. And up.

"Oh," I say, for perhaps the first time in my life, I'm speechless.

The Zmaj is looking back with an easy smile and a face that makes my heart speed up, but it's his eyes that hold all my attention. They're so warm and rich as they dance with an easy delight. His wings rustle and his tail makes a scraping sound as it twists around on the floor.

"Well, hello," he says, that deep voice rattling in my chest. "My name is Sek'su. This is my pleasure."

My throat clenches as all the moisture disappears from my mouth. Stunned and numb, I offer my hand. He takes my much smaller one gently in his and I note the long dark claws that indicate he's a Cavern Zmaj as he lifts my hand to his lips.

His soft, warm, incredible lips linger on the back of my hand while those eyes burn into mine. As he lifts his head, at last, his smile becomes even wider.

"Wrenlee," I manage to respond at last.

"Yessss," he says, dragging out the ‘s' in a way that is both enticing and sexy.

This is going to be a problem.

Another Zmaj, that I am only dimly aware of behind him pushes him again.

"Come on Sek," the other says. "We are late."

"Soon," Sek says, lowering my hand while keeping his grip as long as he possibly can while still backing away.

My heart thunders in my ears and my stomach drops as he lets go of my hand. Mute, I nod.

I am in trouble.