21. Mia

As Renowlfand I approach the town square, I feel like I"ve been thrown into the deep end of some bizarre pool from another galaxy and forgot how to swim.

The scene is surreal, like something from a movie. The place is lit up, literally buzzing with energy that"s both electric and alien. It"s kind of incredible.

There"s a long buffet displaying a veritable feast of food, and kegs filled with some sort of brew stacked in a high pyramid. Lively music creates the perfect atmosphere for dancing, which the orcs take advantage of in droves.

"Welcome to our celebration, Mia," Renowlf says, and I"m grateful for his protective arm around me.

"I can"t believe all of this is for us," I marvel.

"Before we partake in the festivities, I must find Dolphus and speak with him about security matters." I'm guessing he means Bayliss. Renowlf searches the crowd for his second. "Ah, there he is."

"Right, Dolphus. Go do your king thing." I try to smile, but my nerves get the better of me. I don"t want him to leave me alone.

As if he can read my mind, he pulls me close and says, "I will not be gone long, and my guards will keep you safe." He strides away, leaving me standing there with two guards at my back.

"Great. Just great," I mutter under my breath, shifting my weight from one foot to the other as I take in the whirlwind of dancing and laughter happening before me.

There"s something strangely beautiful about the way the big orcs move, their powerful bodies twisting and jumping with an almost feral grace. If this celebration happened on Earth, I"d join the dancers even if I was alone. But not here, where I"m an outsider.

I glance at the guards Renowlf left behind to protect me, each one standing stoically with their weapons at the ready. Their presence is both reassuring and isolating; I know I"m safe, but their watchful eyes remind me that I"m not one of the townspeople. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the uncomfortable, prickly feeling on my skin as I continue to watch the celebration.

Before I get too antsy for Renowlf"s return, a familiar figure bursts through the dance crowd.

"Rayowlf," I call out in relief as she moves toward me, her guard in tow.

"Mia!" she exclaims, her face lighting up with excitement. She makes me smile.

"I didn"t know you were here," I say.

"Where else would I be?" she responds. Even though she"s an orc, there"s something so relatable about her. She"s like a teenaged Earth girl bouncing off the walls with barely checked energy.

"I don"t know," I say, feeling a little silly for thinking she might skip the celebration.

"I knew Ren would make you his queen," Rayowlf gushes, throwing her arms around my neck in a fierce hug that nearly topples me over. "I just knew it!"

"How could you have known?" I say, steadying myself while returning her embrace. "Even I thought he would choose Bayliss." Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself smiling despite my apprehension.

"Because I know my brother better than he knows himself," she says. "You will soon be my sister, and I could not be happier."

"I"m happy about that, too, Ray." And I mean it. With her nearby, I don"t feel so alone.

"Let"s dance!" she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she grabs my hand, tugging me toward the dancing crowd.

"Wait, what?" I stammer. "I don"t know how to dance like orcs."

"I"ll teach you," she says, her smile practically reaching her ears as she pulls me into the crowd. A quick glance over my shoulder confirms that our guards are following us, which is a little weird considering all the orcs around us are dancing with wild abandon. "Just follow my lead."

"Okay," I agree, taking a deep breath and bracing myself for embarrassment.

But as I watch Rayowlf dance, her movements fluid and graceful, the urge to move becomes impossible to resist. My limbs feel awkward and anything but graceful, but I push past the discomfort, determined to give it my best shot.

"That's good, now hop and twirl." Rayowlf encourages me as I try to mimic her steps. "You are doing it, Mia!"

No one else seems to care about my clumsy dancing—they"re all too busy enjoying themselves—and I soon get into the rhythm of the music. For the first time since Orgel abducted me from my bed, I feel relaxed and happy. Even hopeful.

"Look at you, Mia!" Rayowlf cheers, her face lighting up with pride. "You are a natural!"

"I don"t know about that," I say, feeling more comfortable now that I"m lost in the music and the moment. "But I"m definitely having fun."

"That"s what this celebration is all about," Rayowlf shouts as she grabs my hands and spins me around with surprising strength.

"Easy there," I say. "Remember, I"m just a beginner." I try not to fall as we whirl around and around as the music reaches a crescendo.

Then, just as the music changes and the beat slows, a vice-like grip closes around my upper arm and yanks me away from Rayowlf"s grasp.

"Hey!" I yelp, turning to face the drunken, angry orc who grabbed me. His eyes burn with hate and, in that moment, all the joy of the celebration fades away.