Chapter 2

Chapter Two

ZURA

Darkness comes and I sit on the edge of the opening in my room and stare out at nothing, my mind swirling about everything and nothing at the same time. Absent -mindedly, my hand goes to my neck, my fingers rubbing the pendant that my mother gave me as a youngling, a habit I formed long ago when deep in thought.

I noticed in a past rising that the strap holding it on has become worn and frayed and will need to be replaced soon. However , the thought of removing it always bothers me. The last time it needed restrung, Mother insisted that she be the one to do it, and wouldn't let me leave her chambers until it was back on my neck. It's just one more way for her to control me.

I am just turning away when I catch his massive frame out of the corner of my eye. Instinctively , I pull back so that he can't see me. My heart hits my chest at the mere sight of him after all this time. OrO is the only male besides SoL who has ever made me feel small, as he towers over me. The straps and harnesses that are wrapped around his huge frame only accentuate his muscle mass.

He nods at the guard on duty and turns to take his place, never even looking up my way. He rolls his neck as I see him settling in. Without thought, I crawl out of the opening and slouch down, walking silently above him on the turrets' walls. Holding my breath, I prepare to jump him from behind and just as my legs push me off the wall in a free fall, massive hands grab me right out of the air.

" Frack , OrO how did you know I was there?"

" I could smell you."

" Ugh , that's repulsive."

He doesn't say another word, simply lowers me to the ground. He stands a good foot taller than me and inches above all other males around us. Reaching up, I tug on his white hair. " Did you miss me?"

He looks over my head and I see the normal twitch of his jaw that happens when he is avoiding or unhappy with something. " I did not know you were gone."

Despite knowing he doesn't mean that, his words still hurt. So , I decide to act like I didn't hear them. " I see that you have changed shifts. I thought you enjoyed the early rising?"

" My reasoning for being here during the main rising had changed. The darkness is calmer with less traffic through the palace walls. Did you enjoy your time away?"

" Ahhh , you did notice I was gone, caught ya." A small smile tugs at his lips, but he quickly hides it. " I enjoyed a change of scenery and the chance to experience how others live. The battle against the Waldrin so far has been the highlight of my life. You would have loved it."

His jaw twitches again. " You being in a battle was completely unknown to me. You were sent away to train our little Keida , not to engage in battle." All this time he hasn't even looked at me.

" I was, and I have been training Keida this entire time. However , plans changed quickly when we were preparing to return here. When DaR asked me if I wanted to accompany them or come home, the battle was my choice. You would have done the same."

He grits his teeth so hard I swear it looks like his jaw is going to break. Without thinking I reach up and cup his jaw only for him to jerk his head away. I pull back, embarrassed. " Forgive me, I should not have taken such liberties with you. I am afraid the humans have rubbed off on me as they are free with their affections."

" I am on duty, Zura , you should return to your quarters for the darkness."

It takes a second for my mind to catch up with his words. OrO has always been overly grouchy, but what Orc male is not? He is my best friend and I stand before him, feeling like a stranger. " OrO , what has happened since I have been gone? Have I done something to offend you?"

This time he looks down at me and I swear his expression is so violent I actually step back, confused at his reaction. I mean I didn't expect him to jump up and down in excitement when he saw me, but I never dreamed of this reaction either. Before he can say a word, I turn away towards the secret doorway on this side of the turret, biting my lip to keep the tears away. Disgusted by my emotions, I head towards the armory instead; possibly a good workout will make me see things clearer.

Entering the area, I notice I am not the only one who cannot rest this darkness. Radyr is swinging at an invisible opponent when he sees me enter the gates. His large, toothy smile is a welcoming sight compared to the greeting I just received. " Zura , you have returned."

" Greetings Radyr , would you like a sparring partner?"

" I would be honored, but don't expect me to take it easy on you. I was told you have been living the life of luxury on Darverius , I expect that has made you soft."

" We shall see." I pull one of the practice swords off the wall and instantly engage. Radyr barely gets his blade up in time to go on the defensive. His grin is large as he tries to push me back only to find out that we are equally matched. I dive under his lifted blade only to come up with my sword under his chin.

Radyr drops his blade and holds up both hands in surrender. " Point proven, priestess."

Elbowing him in the stomach, he bends down, and I grab one of his large tusks. " Don't call me that unless you want to feel the sharpness of a real blade."

He grabs me around the waist, swinging me around. " It's good to have you back Zura , it is nice to have someone to spar with who can smile from time to time. I have tired of OrO and his constant snarling."

" It is good to be home, Radyr , even though I enjoyed my travels and the experiences, it is nice to return. OrO did seem out of sorts when we spoke earlier, has this become a normal occurrence?"

" Yes , if it was even possible, he got worse after you left. Two rotations back we were practicing, and I thought at one point he was going to take my head off. It took forever for him to admit something was bothering him. Even though I tried to get him to tell me what, he would not speak of it. I found out later from a few other guards that you were on Commander ZoD's planet, fighting alongside Commander DaR . You have got to tell me all about it. What were you doing that far from home, did you finally find your mate?"

" No , … and I am not looking for one either. Commander ZoD's people were being taken by another species, the Waldrin . I had never heard of them until recently and I was lucky enough to be a part of the team that annihilated them. The battle was glorious."

" Battle time is the biggest high. I am envious."

" You say OrO was told of this?"

" From my understanding, the moment he was informed. He approached your mother, asking her to release him from duty so that he could join you."

" Why would he not tell me any of this?"

" You know how he is, and as you can see, he was not released from duty; your mother refused him. I wasn't there to see it, but I heard it took three guards to get him out of that room."

" Radyr , OrO knows better than to go against her, especially with force. He is lucky she didn't have him whipped and stripped of his duties. What would make him behave so irrationally?"

" OrO is not one to back down. You have been around him your entire existence, you know this."

" Stubborn males, all of you. Thank you for sharing this with me, Radyr . Being away for so long, I feel out of sorts and out of touch with the ones I care for here. I will wait until OrO is off duty, then talk to him if he will allow it." Looking up, I see a new band around his forearm. " What is this?"

" I have taken a mate while you were away. She is from one of the outer clans, her transition has not been as stress-free as I would have hoped. Leaving one's home and friends is not an easy choice. I would have remained with her there, but I had responsibilities to the priestess. My commission is not up for several rotations yet. At that time, I will reevaluate where we will reside in the future."

" Congratulations ; I hope to meet her soon. I understand better than most the obligations thrown upon us. If she is strong enough to put up with you, then she will adjust soon. I'll seek her out next rising and introduce myself, we could all use a few more friends."

" Ha ! The old Zura would have never said those words; the humans have softened you."

" That is a possibility, they have taught me much. In our world, feelings and attachments are frowned upon. In theirs, it's encouraged. Our fabled Kismet is the only exception to that rule. The few of us that allow ourselves to experience feelings are frowned upon. Why are you out here at darkness if you have a new mate at home?"

Radyr looks away from me for a moment. " She threw me out, told me to go work some of my orneriness off before I head back home."

I can't help but laugh. " I like her already."