33. Sloane

Chapter 33

Sloane

I lean back in the garden chair, cradling the cooling mug of kafa between my hands. The orc version of coffee isn't quite the same as what I remember from Earth, but it's close enough to be comforting, and a hell of a lot better than the beverages on the other planets I've been on.

The garden seems especially peaceful this morning, the air filled with the soft chirping of alien birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. Maybe I'm still basking in the afterglow of multiple orgasms and sex with Dexari.

My orc mate is damn good in bed. If he weren't still recovering from his fanghound injury, I would have stuck around for his morning wood. But I woke up early, and letting him sleep seemed more thoughtful.

Zephyr has just flown off to do...whatever dragalors do when they're not babysitting a human. I smile, thinking back to our one-sided conversation over breakfast. I told him about my night with Dexari, keeping the details PG-13 in case any of the orc staff were eavesdropping.

It's too bad Zephyr can only listen. If he could talk, what would he say about all this? Would he approve of Dex? Would he have some sage, dragalor wisdom about navigating my new life as a future queen?

I snort at the thought. Knowing Zephyr, he'd probably just tell me to stop overthinking things and enjoy the ride—literally and figuratively. Which, come to think of it, isn't bad advice.

I take another sip of kafa, mentally planning out my day. First, I'll check on the kitchen staff. They've been working on some new recipes for me, and I'm eager to see how they're coming along. Then, I'll head back to Dexari's quarters to see if he's awake.

Correction: they're our quarters now. The reminder gives me a little thrill.

My peaceful musings are interrupted by a figure entering the garden. I look up, my good mood evaporating when I see who it is.

Denari.

The Elder's presence is imposing, his stern expression and rigid posture telling me I'm about to get an earful for ignoring his requests to meet. I sit up straighter, setting my mug down on the bistro table.

Denari's gaze doesn't soften as he approaches. Definitely not a social call. A knot forms in my stomach as I realize I'm about to face whatever this is alone. I wish Dexari was here. He'd know how to handle his father, how to defuse whatever tense situation is brewing.

I force a smile, though it feels more like baring my teeth. "Elder Denari, what a surprise. I wasn't aware we had an appointment. Please, join me."

He takes a seat across from me. "You have been avoiding me, female." His voice drips with barely concealed disdain.

"Not intentionally." I lie with little conviction. "I've just been busy while Dexari has been recovering."

He gets right to the point. "What have you done to my son?"

His insinuation that I did anything harmful to Dex pisses me off. "Let's see, I saved him from fanghounds and nursed him through a nasty fever."

"That is not what I mean and you know it," Denari growls. "What trickery have you employed to manipulate Dexari into naming you his intended queen?"

"Now that you mention it, I do know a few tricks." I lean in like I'm about to tell him a secret. "Between the sheets, that is. I might have rocked his world last night." I wink, enjoying the way Denari's face flushes a darker shade of green.

"You brazen little—" Denari sputters, his composure cracking. "Do you think this is a game? Dexari is the king. He needs a proper orc mate, not some...some human harlot who is clearly using him for power and position."

Now he's done it. Attacking me is one thing. Insulting my man is another. "Is that what you think of your son, the king ? That he's so weak-willed a mere human could trick him into making her his queen?"

I know I'm pushing it, that I should probably stop before I go too far. But the words keep spilling out, fueled by my anger and a growing sense of unease. Dex isn't here. Neither is Zephyr. I don't even have my pocket knife for protection. Barbed words are the only weapon I have against Denari's accusations, and I'm throwing them out with reckless abandon.

"Tell me, Elder Denari, do you think I slipped something into his drink that made his cockspikes emerge prematurely?"

The older orc's hand shoots across the table and clamps down on my arm, his grip painfully tight. I gasp, my bravado faltering as I look into his furious face.

"Enough of your insolence!" he barks out. "We had a deal, Sloane. An heir for your freedom. You have taken things too far."

I try to wrench my arm from his grip, but he's holding on too tight. "If you recall, I never agreed to your so-called deal," I remind him, my voice trembling with anger and fear. "Your son made me a better offer, one I couldn't refuse."

Denari stands, dragging me with him, his hand a vise around my arm. "You will never be queen of my kingdom."

"It's Dexari's kingdom now. He's strong and intelligent, and more than capable of making his own decisions. And he's decided that I should rule by his side."

I take a breath, and even more words pour out. "You think I'm not good enough? Watch me prove you wrong. I'll be the best damn queen this orc kingdom has ever seen because I'll work ten times harder than any orc to prove myself worthy!"

Denari looks taken aback by my outburst, but I'm not finished.

"Whether you like it or not, I'm Dexari's perfect genetic match. But that's not all. Your son loves me, and…" My words trail off as the realization hits me like a thunderbolt. "And I love him, too. I love Dexari."