30. Turren

We flew all night and by dawn, we’d reached the edge of the forest. My clan’s mountain home was still far away, but we’d rest before flying farther. After we arrived, I’d send someone back for Brunnen.

I guided Airest down to the ground to land, and we slid off him. Then I took my mate’s hand and led her across the scraggly earth that soon gave way to the sand of the vast desert.

“Wow,” she said as she stared, shielding her eyes from the sun.

“I know it doesn’t look like much yet.” I kicked the scruff with my foot. “But you’ll soon see its beauty.”

“It’s huge. So . . . sandy.”

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. I had so much to say but once again, I couldn’t find the right words to use. Kaila was everything to me. It was all I could do to convince her to come to my desert home with me.

I’d hidden something from her, something as vital in my life as her.

Once I explained, would she understand and still love me? There would be no hiding it. Soon, it would be revealed, and then I’d know. I’d decided to tell her when we reached my clan. I’d watch her face, praying to the fates that she’d nod and tell me it would be alright. That she accepted this like she had everything else.

No matter what, I’d remain strong. It would rip me asunder to lose her but . . . I had no choice. There was no following a different path than the one I’d laid out before I went to the hunt.

But there would be no hiding my pain if she rejected me.

I had to believe she’d understand, that she wouldn’t . . . toss me aside like my parents had.

“You seem sad,” she said, sliding her arm through mine and leaning into my side. “Is everything alright?

I could tell her now, but silence had been my way for so long, I wasn’t sure how to find my way out of it.

“Everything is fine.” Turning, I held her for a long moment before tilting her face up and meeting her gaze. I found trust there. She’d overcome her fear and was eager to face this new challenge by my side.

With a growl, I let it go. It would work out. She’d see and understand and then I wouldn’t need to fear this any longer.

“How long does Airest need to rest?” she asked with a soft smile. She stroked my chest, and my cock immediately responded to her gentle touch.

“Long enough.” Sweeping her up into my arms, I carried her into the woods. I found a soft spot and carefully lowered her to the ground, following.

Then I loved her as if this would be the last time, with desperation and the love expanding my heart.

We remainedon the edge of the woods for many hours until Airest had rested enough to carry us to the vox hunting grounds.

“How long will we travel?” Kaila asked.

“About seven hours. More than halfway through the night. In the cooler months, we live near the oasis, but my clan will have moved to the vox mating grounds by now. They’ll be settling in when we arrive.” A time of change, but perhaps a time for hope as well.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, gazing out into the desert with the sun low on the horizon. “I’ve never seen anything prettier in my life than the gold, orange, and red beams cutting across the tan desert sand.”

I wrapped my arms around her from behind, holding her as the sun hitched lower, until it winked out.

“I guess we should go.” She shot me a smile. In her eyes, I read excitement. She wasn’t afraid any longer.

She trusted me.

May I always be worthy of that trust.

I helped her up onto Airest, and the vox fluttered his wings.

“He’s eager to be home.” I joined her on the beast’s spine, wrapping my arm around her.

“I bet you’re eager to be home too.”

“I am. There’s . . .” Why couldn’t I speak the words?

“What?”

“Nothing.” With a nudge of my heels, Airest took flight. He flew up over the scruffy land on the edge of the desert and with my guidance, soared above the desert itself. Tipping his head back, he released a squawk.

“See? He just said he can’t wait to reach the breeding grounds,” she said with a laugh.

“Is that what he said?” Leaning forward, I kissed her cheek, her neck.

She released a shiver and pressed back against my chest, sighing. “You make me feel amazing, Turren. Safe and loved.”

“As you should. I adore you. Remember that no matter what.”

“I will. I can’t wait to see where we’ll live and meet all your friends. How many orcs live in your clan?”

“One hundred and three.”

“So many. I never considered that there might be more orcs than those living in the forest near my village, let alone that I’d meet them someday. I’ve heard rumors about a great orc city, but no one I know has ever seen it.”

“It’s as real as my clan. As me.”

“I’m nervous, of course. But for some reason, I’m not worried that they’ll accept me. Maybe seeing how much Dakur loves Nia and Pulost adores Mavileen, plus how everyone seems happy to see orcs and humans together has eased that fear. Or I’ve finally learned how to let go and trust. Finally.” Her voice lifted. “Finally!”

Airest squawked again as if he understood, and maybe he did.

“They will love you as much as me.” Of this, I had no doubts. How could they do anything less? Each mate one of us brought to the clan was another precious piece of our future. Mates brought hope that our people would not die out.

We flew through the night, and I was grateful she slept. I held her with worry gnawing at my bones. Should I wake her and tell her? No, I would share this with her in the morning. We’d been traveling for a very long time. She needed this rest.

Everything could wait until the morning.

Finally, the lights of my clan winked ahead. Our homes had been constructed on the side of the mountain. The voxes lived above us in aeries leading to a network of cave systems within the mountain itself. That was where they bred and laid their seeds before returning to the clans and orcs they’d left. They’d always lived here.

But while they’d birth the seeds of their young, they didn’t raise them. Only when an orc first bonded with a vox had the custom started and continued until this day.

Seeing how close to home we were, Airest found new energy and flew faster. My precious mate continued to sleep, secure in my arms. She didn’t wake when Airest landed, and I slid from his spine with her in my arms. Not when I softly spoke with an orc who’d make sure Airest was cared for and released to his aerie. And not when I carried her down the slope and into my home.

I laid her on my bed and quickly stripped, joining her on the soft furs.

I curled around her, and I slept.

Waking at dawn, I stretched.

“When did we arrive?” Kaila sat up, watching my face. Her fingertip traced down my chest, and I was flooded with warmth and love for her once more.

“During the night. You were asleep so I carried you here. Welcome home, my bold mate.”

“Bold, eh?” Her lips curled up, and she leaned over to give me a kiss that soon turned to moans.

I rolled her onto her back, and I loved her, praying to the fates it would not be for the last time.

After, I took her through the back panel in my home and into the heart of the mountain, to the warm pools where my people bathed. I found an isolated one where we could be alone. Once she was ready, I’d present her to my clan.

We dried our bodies and got dressed.

“I’ll take you to the people in my clan who make clothing today. They’ll create a full wardrobe for you and will have a few items you can wear right away.”

She looked down at her skirt and blouse. She’d only brought a few outfits when she fled the village and while they’d been washed in the river, they were getting worn from her travels. “That would be amazing.” She gave me a hug. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I cupped her pretty face and couldn’t resist giving her a kiss. I would’ve done more if I wasn’t worried someone might walk in on us. Next time, I’d mark the cave to show it was occupied. Then I could show my mate how much I adored her.

“For being you.”

“I’m your mate. I love you.” She stroked my cheek. “That’s all that matters.”

“You’re right. Let me take you to the dining area where we all eat together.” I felt better about this already. She was happy here already. Nothing would change this.

I had nothing to fear.

“Wonderful,” she said. “I’m starving.”

Taking her hand, I led her back to our home and out through the front door.

Orcs passed us, welcoming me back and shooting Kaila happy smiles.

“My mate,” I told them all with a grin. “My Kaila.”

“There are so many names,” she said softly as we walked across the central area, stopping to introduce her multiple times. “I’ll do my best to remember them all.”

“We’re a patient people. Have no fear. Eventually you’ll remember.”

She shot me a smile that warmed me through. “Love you, mate,” she said softly.

“Love you too.” I couldn’t resist kissing her again.

And I would tell her as soon as I found—

“There you are,” someone said, and we broke apart, sharing a smile. “I heard you’d returned, Turren.”

“This—” I started to say.

She stopped in front of us, taking in me holding Kaila’s hand while juggling an orcling on her hip. “Who is this?”

“My precious mate, Kaila.” I turned to my mate, noting the welcoming smile on her face. “Kaila? This is Ferella. And this little one.” My fingers shook as I stroked her sweet orcling face. “This is Sianna.”

Sianna fussed and held her arms out to me, straining to get away from Ferella.

“Da da,” she cried.