Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

LILY

" C ouncilman Roberts assured me the orcs will back off and stay away from us," Owen announces before our mid-day break.

"Just like that?" Paloma asks as we settle back at our tables. "Why?"

With a slow, drawn-out gait that draws everyone's attention, Owen storms over to her, where he casts an angry shadow on both our tables. "None of your damn business."

"Of course it isn't," I mutter softly.

He steps over to me. "The only thing you have to worry about is keeping me happy."

I hate when he directs his comments to me. No one misses the undercurrent, especially me.

"Is it safe to take our breaks outside our sector?" Paloma asks, ignoring how much Owen's being an ass. Or maybe she's trying to distract him so he leaves me alone.

All I can think about is that the orcs haven't returned since this morning. That Ryko hasn't returned. It felt safer with him here. Even if he doesn't want to be with me, I know he'd never hurt me. He'd protect me; I know this down to my core.

Owen leans into Paloma. "I can escort you wherever you'd like, sweet cheeks."

Paloma shoves him, starting an exchange of words that gives me the chance to slip away, unnoticed.

I make my way to Pen'Kesh's center without anyone stopping me, but I have no destination in mind. I'm torn between looking for Ryko so I can demand… demand what, precisely? An explanation? An apology?

"Lily," Ryko calls out.

I spin around, but don't see him anywhere. I was sure I heard him.

Wishful thinking.

When I take another step, a huge green orc with dark green eyes and a fresh but shallow cut beneath his collar bone steps out from behind a tree in the market's center. It takes me a second to recognize Ryko with his hair pulled back to the nape of his neck.

I quickly check to see who's around. A few bantarans and moxxels mill about, focused on their food and conversation, but I don't see anyone from my colony. They're probably still watching the heated exchange between Owen and Paloma.

"My sweet Lily," Ryko says. In public .

He takes a step toward me.

The hairs on my arms rise. He's risking so much. Even if we're no longer together, we can still get in trouble.

Powerful legs take another step, longer this time.

I shake my head, warning him not to approach.

But when he opens his arms and holds them open for me, I melt. The urge to run to him nearly overwhelms me. I lock my feet in place. I cannot go to him. Not here. Not now.

Confusion and hurt darken his features when I don't run to him. His ridges tighten and his mouth clamps shut until his jaw muscles tick .

Whatever held me back, dissolves instantly when I see his hurt. I race into his embrace, all the anguish and doubt gone. Strong arms wrap around me, squeezing tight. It's been so long since I've seen him, touched him. I inhale his scent and let myself breathe again, for what feels like the first time in weeks.

He pulls me into the shadows of a storm shelter where we stand simply holding one another for what must be an eternity before he picks me up and spins me around. Decadent lips slide up my neck to meet my ear.

"Forgive me. I meant to deceive Sojek, to protect our secret, not hurt you."

And just like that, all is forgiven. I can't stay mad at him. I love him.

When he sets me on my feet and holds my face in his hands, I smile. Probably with the world's biggest, sappiest grin. I feel young, light, and powerful, as if the universe belongs to me.

"I didn't know what happened to you," I sob into his neck as I hug him again. The tears I've been holding back escape and flow down my cheeks. "It's been weeks, and I couldn't ask any of the other orcs about you, not without risking?—"

His lips crush against mine, silencing me. "Forgive me, Lily. I beg of you."

"I thought that you were done with me." I try to hide the hurt, but this emotional rollercoaster has left me too raw to be brave, even for my sweet orc.

"I intended to return to Pen'Kesh the next day, to explain why I lied about who you are to me, but my grak ordered me to travel to our southern border."

I sag against him in pure relief as I inhale his musk, the scent I've missed. "I never should have doubted you."

"You are not to blame. But it is done. We move forward… if you still want me."

I press my chin against his chest as I gaze up. "More than ever. But nothing has changed between our people. If anything, I think it's worse after this morning. You and the other warriors standing at the entrance to my sector rattled everyone. My people won't ever accept us being together. Neither will your grak."

Ryko strokes my cheek. "They will if we give them no choice. I want to mate you. Today. Then, no one can take you from me."

"Do you mean marry? What about your grak? Will he allow me to live with you if we marry?" I've wanted this male from the first day I saw him, but with the way our people hate one another, I don't know how we can be together for more than a few stolen moments.

Ryko cups my face, one thumb caressing my cheek. "My grak will not hear me. Not on this. Mating, making you mine, will give him no choice. It is the only way. Trust me."

"I do." I swallow at the words that I could be repeating soon. Only then it will be permanent. Married… Can we? Should we? I'm still raw from all the doubt that's burrowed into me these past few weeks. And yet when I search my heart, I trust Ryko. But marrying…. That's a huge risk, and this time I might lose more than my heart.

He kisses me, his hand caressing the side of my breast.

I grip his hand, stopping him. "Not here."

His forehead leans against mine and he swallows. Hard. "I lose myself in you. Every vekking time. We will mate, before it is too late."

The desperation and worry in his face tug at my heart and I want to say yes, but I can't.