Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

LILY

" L ook at that monster," Jessie says as two orcs talk in the common area of the market.

Pen'Kesh is the only market where the five species on Kovos come together in the name of trade. Not necessarily peace.

Like the spokes of a wheel, five sectors connect to a central hub in our market. Between those sectors, walls. Tall, clay, and brick walls provide privacy. Or security, depending on one's view.

Each sector has one way in and one way out… through the hub, which has two additional spokes. The first is a path that leads to the beautiful woods and rivers outside Pen'Kesh. A place to walk and forget all the foul smells and tempers of the market. The second is a long corridor that leads to where we all hitch our wagons and tie our horses. Or gorjas, in the case of the orcs.

Orcs.

We rarely see orcs in Pen'Kesh as they avoid the market as much as possible. They don't bother using their sector to sell goods. The distance they maintain, their isolationist ways, adds to the mystery, and the rumors.

"Foul beasts," Jessie continues cursing the orcs. "Animals, every one of them."

"Why would you say that?" I pull a row of stitches out of a pair of pants I'm making larger for one of the men back at New Earth.

"Just look at them! And that stench."

I repress a chuckle. She doesn't smell so great right now given the heat.

"And tusks , Lily. Only animals have tusks."

While I wouldn't call them animals, it's safe to say the orcs are the deadliest of all the species on Kovos. They strut around with several knives strapped to their chests and broadswords sheathed on their backs. Weapons they're not afraid to use.

With their ridged foreheads and constant scowls, they send off vibes that keep everyone away. As if that weren't bad enough, the two tusks protruding from behind their lower lips add to their monstrous appearance. And instill fear in a lot of the men and women of New Earth. Like Jessie.

"I'd watch what you're saying. They might overhear you, and you know it doesn't take much to piss off an orc." I wince when I lean in to the rumors to get Jessie to shut up, but I'm tired of listening to her fear-mongering.

"I feel sorry for their women," Jessies says, albeit lower this time. She organizes the leather goods on our table after the last customer, a bantaran, picked up and inspected every harness, bag, and belt without buying a single item. "Could you imagine sleeping with one of them?"

"Maybe their women are just as scowly."

"That's not a word, Lily."

Maybe not, but I won't tell her how attractive I think the orc on the left is. I'm not sure what about him appeals to me, but I can't take my eyes off him. I don't normally go for a guy with long, wild hair, but he's solidly built, with a muscular chest, thick arms and thighs, and dark green eyes that meet mine every time I look in his direction.

"You're flushed, Lily. Are you okay?" Jessie's eyebrows bunch together. Thank god she doesn't follow my line of sight.

"It's the heat. I need a break." What I need a break from is Jessie, but I'd never say that. She left Earth less than a year ago and has already adopted the predominant attitude of the people in our colony. They all believe the four species we share this planet with are monsters, but none more than the orcs.

I've been judged too much in life with sneers behind my back because of my curves. People are more than their appearances. That includes the moxxels, bantarans, vints, and orcs.

"Don't take too long a break," she says as I step away from the table. "You know how Owen is."

"Owen, the asshole," I grumble under my breath as I head into the magnificent woods of Kovos. The gravel path leads to the river where I take most of my breaks, simply sitting and listening to the water rushing by. I let my mind wander, away from Owen and all the other men of our colony and the way they treat us. As if they own us.

When I turn the bend, I glimpse something huge and green moving as fast as a mountain lion, even though there are no mountain lions on Kovos.

An orc?

Curiosity overtakes me. As quietly as I can, I follow the figure.

Not far down the river, squeals and grunts stop me in my tracks. I dart behind a tree, trying to stay hidden. As clear as day, I watch an orc maneuver the yenga into the shallow water, giving it no retreat.

Beautiful green hard muscles flex with immense power as the orc works his broadsword free of its sheath. Even with that sword, he'll need to be careful. A yenga, Kovos' version of a boar, grows long, thick horns that often weave into a complex and deadly sharp net that can ensnare and rip a sword away from an attacker.

No, this orc won't make that mistake. Confidence rolls off him as he swings twice, forcing the yenga back where it sinks into the silty edge of the water. The yenga squeals in distress as it struggles to free its back legs.

I've never seen anyone single-handedly hunt a yenga before. Four, even three people coordinating an attack, like a pack of wolves working together to surround and take down prey, yes, but not one lone man, not without a bow and arrow that gives him the ability to kill safely, from a distance.

Do orcs have long distance weapons? We know so little of them, except that they carry an abundance of knives and swords on their person.

This man… no, he's not quite a man, but certainly not a monster. This orc—I correct my way of thinking—grips the horns, and, with nothing more than sheer strength, wrestles the yenga to the ground.

He knows what he's doing.

I wonder who is deadlier, the yenga or the orc.

A loud squeal of desperation rips from the yenga's throat. It knows it's not going to survive. But it doesn't relent. Life on Kovos at its most basic struggle of life and death.

The orc uses every inch of his body to trap the flailing legs and head while dodging the overgrown horns. For such a large male, he moves with grace and precision, correctly anticipating the yenga's every move.

With his arms locked around the beast's throat and his knees pressed into its back, the orc need only draw one of the many knives he wears and slit the beast's throat.

I bite my lip, knowing how this will end, but I'm too mesmerized to look away.

The orc's head snaps in my direction. I freeze, praying he can't see me .

I recognize him! The same orc from the market, the one who's always watching me.

Dark green eyes stare my way for what feels like an eternity, as if he intends to make me his next prey. A shiver travels through me.

Shit, not only am I alone, I wandered beyond the safe zone. I'm no longer in yelling distance to the market.

With a sudden burst of energy, the pinned yenga flails, attempting to tear itself free. The orc grunts and swears in Orcan but doesn't lose his grip, despite the yenga digging its hind legs in for more purchase. Once, twice, the yenga bucks, trying to throw the orc off him.

With grunts and snorts, the yenga thrusts its head wildly from side to side. Before I can blink, the orc slices a knife across the animal's throat. A merciful kill, which is ironic considering what my people say about orcs. That they're more animal than the beasts they hunt.

The orc places his hand on the head of the yenga, between its horns, closes his eyes and says something in Orcan. He speaks softly, almost reverently, to the dead animal.

It's a stunningly peaceful moment following such a violent act. As if he's praying, thanking his gods for sparing his life or for the kill. I'm not sure which, only that his expression softens to one of sheer peace.

I wish I had one of the translation chips in my ear. The bantarans sell them to all who can pay, but the men in our colony control the money and they only purchase the chips for themselves. Even though the women do all the selling in the market, they say we don't need translators.

One of many ways they make us depend on them. We're second-class citizens here. Worse than on Earth, and that's before the Coalition invaded.

The orc suddenly opens his eyes. Hard green orbs stare directly at me .

I sink behind the tree trunk, praying he didn't see me.

Silence blankets the area. No grunts, no footsteps, not even the wind dares to move through the trees.

Did he see me?

Run or stay completely still?

My heart races from the uncertainty of what to do.

I wait. If he had indeed seen me, he would have approached by now. Or yelled out to me, or… I don't know what he would have done or if any of the vile rumors Owen and the other guards spread are true. All I can do is remain utterly still until the orc moves on.

The rhythmic sawing of a knife against flesh filters through the trees before another sound I can't quite deduce reaches me. Curiosity prompts me to peek through the branches. He's already gutted the yenga and is stringing it up by its hind legs to allow the blood to drain.

Like a work of art, the orc moves with grace and beauty. Aside from a weapons harness, he wears a leather loin cloth and boots.

One by one, he removes the broadsword from his back, then the harness that holds many knives against his chest. His boots land with a thump on the silty shoreline, the first and only sound I've heard in a while.

He stands at the edge of the water, remaining within reach of his weapons, and washes the blood from his hands. I've never spied on anyone before, but damn, I can't take my eyes off this male. Especially as he scoops a handful of water and scrubs his face. Water runs down his beautifully sculpted chest. His hand follows. Slowly. Going lower, and lower, stopping just below his abs.

Is he baiting me?

No, I'm being paranoid. As usual.

I should leave instead of tempting fate. But damn, with his muscles flexing as he bends in the water… My, oh, my, I cannot lo ok away. I'm a peeping Lily and I don't have one ounce of remorse. The male has the physique of a god.

Better. He's not some stone statue. He's here, in the flesh, sporting beautiful biceps, sublimely cut chest muscles, and ripped abs that lead to that ever-enticing V, the proverbial arrow pointing to a prize some lucky woman will have one day.

Does he already have a girl?

What the hell am I thinking? Humans and orcs can't be together, not that way.

Can we?

I mean, except for those tusks, he's human enough. Despite what the idiots of my colony say, orcs are intelligent beings, not animals.

"How long do you plan to watch me before joining me?" the orc asks in English.

My mouth drops open. I'm too stunned to speak. Or move.

"Very well, female. If you will not join me, then I will continue without you."

"Continue?" I mumble.

"Stripping," his voice booms.

He's not going to strip all the way, is he? All he has left is his loin cloth.

Before I can turn my back to give him privacy, he unknots the loin cloth and tosses it beside the weapons. The leather swatch falls with a soft thud against the dirt.

And I can't stop myself from looking.

He's huge . His dick is long, thick, and yet beautiful at the same time. And I'm staring at him!

"Do you like what you see, female?"

My cheeks flame. I'm at a loss for words. I've never been in this position and yet I can think of several positions I'd enjoy with him.

OMG, where is my mind today?

"I have time before I must return to my people," he adds .

"Time for what?" I ask, ready to kick myself when I realize he's propositioning me.

"Whatever you'd like, little human."

I turn around, wondering if he's talking to someone else because I'm not little. My eyes roam his massive body. Sure, I'm little compared to him, but it's not a word I'm used to hearing when describing me.

He walks deeper into the river, his dick swinging like a pendulum supported by two hefty counterweights. Forget hung like a horse. That expression needs to be updated to hung like an orc!

When he's waist high in the water, he stops and places his hands on his hips, keeping my attention on that dick bobbing on the water. OMG, I don't think it's bobbing but standing up on its own!

"I will not harm you. You can approach me." His tone is gentle, as if I'm a wounded deer he expects to flee at any moment. Not that Kovos has deer.

No, Kovos has humans, which includes skittish women like me who get themselves into bad situations they can't handle. Like this one. This male clearly has experience, more than me, as well as the physique to wrestle and kill a yenga.

"Here is fine," I call back.

"Come closer female. Talking is not easy at this distance."

"Talk? With me? About what?" I'm too curious for my own good.

He splashes water over those glorious washboard abs, washing off the dirt and blood from his takedown of the yenga. "Anything you'd like. Are you mated, female?"

I shake my head, fool that I am. Shouldn't I make him think I'm married, that if he touches me, someone will seek revenge?

His hand glides up and down his cock, washing the thick, ridged, and exceedingly long shaft as if I'm not here, staring at him. My core clenches and yet I cannot turn away, fascinated by the show he's putting on for me.

I should fear him and his brazenness, but I don't.

Why? Because this orc sees me as little?

No, I'm not that insecure.

Despite all his flirting and propositioning, he hasn't mocked or threatened me. Not once.

Abandoning my caution along with any remaining good sense, I edge my way to him, shielding my eyes with my hand so I don't stare where I shouldn't.

I've stared enough. Not really, but I need to set some limits here.

"Do not block your vision out here," he snaps at me, the sudden harshness in his voice startling me. "There are too many predators. You should remain alert at all times."

"But you're naked," I rebut in the wake of a reprimand that's meant to keep me alive.

"And still quite deadly. Remove your hand and look me in the eye if you don't wish to see my cock."

Oh, I'd love to continue staring at all of him, but it's not proper.

I lower my hand and look him straight in his eyes. They're dark green with flecks of light green, softening his otherwise hard edges. Utterly gorgeous, like the rest of him.

Those intense eyes follow my every move. How I step from between the trees, even how I lift my hand to push hair behind my ear. It's as if he's studying me, as one would prey.

A shiver travels through me, but I keep walking toward him.

"You have courage, female, but you must hide your fear near the enemy."

That breaks the spell that's kept me walking up to the shore line, within his reach. I could run, probably should, but he'd catch me. Unlike me, he's in top shape, with much longer legs .

"Am I your enemy?" I ask, not sure what to make of this male. He's unlike anyone I've ever known.

He swallows back a comment, the muscles of that thickly corded throat mesmerizing me as he wades towards me and stops inches from the water's edge where I'm standing.

Inches from me.

I could reach out and touch him so easily. Run my hand down those glorious muscles, even stroke his?—

Don't do it. Don't reach out. Don't touch any part of him!

Do it. Do it.

Don't!

Damn, I hate being indecisive.

"Why doesn't it bother you to be seen naked by someone you don't know? Especially a woman?" I ask instead, stalling.

"There is no better way to show a female who I am. Does my form please you?"

I nod without thinking.

"Enough to touch me?" he asks, his face serious, but I swear a slight chuckle rides his words.

I bite my lip, because that's safer than nodding. It's not that I fear him, not really, but I'm not exactly sure I trust myself at this moment. If I let my impulsiveness rule, I may not be able to handle the consequences.

"Hesitation is a mark of weakness," he says with a slight growl to his voice. He walks parallel to the shoreline, away from me.

"I won't be manipulated," I spit out, causing him to halt.

"Not weak after all." He stops and faces me, those hard eyes narrowing. "Yes, there is strength in you, but it's wrapped in foolishness."

"You don't know anything about me," I sputter, realizing how easily provoked I am. Why do I fucking care what he thinks, anyway?

His eyes travel over me. "You've wandered out here without a human male escorting you. As I said, foolish. "

"I'm not foolish," I snap back. I curse myself for speaking without thinking. When he started to walk away, instead of running in the opposite direction I engaged him in conversation. I have no sense of self-preservation. I should be thinking strategically, but something's keeping me here.

Curiosity.

That has to be it. Stupid curiosity. And I know what it did to the cat.

His lower lip pulls back slightly, revealing those three-inch tusks. Long, thick, shiny white, and… rather intriguing, if I'm being honest.

With three easy strides, he's directly in front of me. "A warrior never hides or cowers. He takes."

That makes me take a step back.

"I am not your enemy, female."

"I have no way of knowing that."

"You are learning. Trust no one on Kovos."

"Except you?" The words fly from my mouth, raw and unfiltered as my mind assesses him on a deeper level than I do most people. I know why I'm still talking with him, but why is he bothering with me?

"You shouldn't trust me," he replies. Straight forward. Honest .

No, this orc isn't trying to manipulate me into doing anything except think about my safety. As if he gives a shit. That's more than I get from the men of my colony who use intimidation and fear to control us.

"What else should I know out here?" I step forward, eliminating the gap I created. I'm close enough to run my fingertips over his impressive muscles, but I don't dare. This is a man, full of power and confidence. Not someone I should tease, even with an innocent touch.

And yet I give in to the impulse.

I brush a single finger across his abdomen, over taut muscles, down warm, velvety skin. Going lower, lower .

I don't pull away, as I should. Touching him is addictive .

I'm a fool, more than he realizes.

He sucks in a sharp breath and closes his eyes, precisely what he warned me not to do. Then again, I'm not a danger to him.

A slight moan escapes his lips. Damn it! I shouldn't be touching him, and yet I can't stop.

"Do you carry a knife?" he asks.

It's a strange question given the situation, but I answer. "My knives are at my workbench. I use them to cut leather."

"You can use them to cut an opponent too. Next time, bring them with you. For protection."

Next time? "I never see anyone out here."

"You may not see them, but they will see you, especially since you walk like a herd of yengas."

My hand drops away like a brick. "If you're going to make jokes about my weight, then I'm leaving."

One hand lands on my shoulder while the other points to the forest floor. "You walk on leaves and branches that crunch beneath your feet. Seek bare ground. Heel down first, then roll your foot slowly. Always move slowly, unless you're being chased."

He's… not making fun of my weight. He's trying to keep me alive.

That large hand slides down my arm, touching me similar to how I touched him. "I would never insult you, female. Or hurt you."

Female . That's so cute.

My eyes travel up sculpted pecs, past those three-inch tusks that appear sharper than the knives I use to cut leather, to those amazing green eyes that never seem to leave me.

"My name's Lily."

"Lil-ie," he repeats, taking his time to accent the syllables correctly. Then one side of his lip kicks up. "Your name feels right in my mouth. As would the rest of you."

I clench my thighs, impressed at how unabashed and direct he is. The male knows what he likes and wants. Apparently, that's me.

Do I want that too? Just thinking about being with this gorgeous and playful man sends a thrill through me. I'm not ready for anything serious, but I sure don't want to walk away from him, either.

"What does this name Lily mean?"

"It's a flower back on Earth," I answer even as the thought of him going down on me, something I've never had, intrigues me on so many levels.

"A flower of beauty, like the sossa blooms on Orcos? Or the poisonous rasnids on Kovos?"

"I don't know about those flowers, but Earth's lilies come in many colors and some have wide petals that curve back gracefully while others are thinner. But they all smell sweet and have a regal appearance to them."

"Then your name is well-earned." Two thick fingers slide down my cheek. "You are more beautiful than any flower found on my world and this one."

Boy, he's a charmer, but he also seems sincere. I must be missing something. Guys as hot as him don't go for girls like me. Overweight with boring lives.

"And your name? Or should I call you The Orc Who Wrestles Yengas?"

"That is a good name, though too long to call out in battle."

"I hope I never meet you in battle."

"Never as my enemy, Lily. As a female who welcomes her male home."

There he goes again, the corner of his mouth kicking up, sending a pleasant shiver through me.

"I'm not sure what you're saying, but I think I better get back to the market."

"Not alone."

"Why not? "

"You carry no knife."

"Even if I had one, I'm not skilled enough to kill anything, especially something as fierce as a yenga. Or an orc." Now I smile, because… Hell, just because.

"A knife is for more than killing."

"You mean to scare a person off, even though I have no knife skills?"

"You are learning." He steps close, and something quite hard brushes against my abdomen.