He takes another step forward and the door opens. He glances back, his dark gaze settling on me.
“And Clover?”
“Y-Yes?”
“You don’t have to worry if you get any in your mouth this time,” his words seems to contain a warning. “I haveeveryintention of tasting you again.”
He walks out of the room, and every footstep seems to make the blush creep further up my neck until my face is red. I swallow a gulp, look down, and then… I smile. That’s not just a crack in the armor. He might as well have taken it all the way off.
I’m not expecting romance. I grew up knowing that was never in my future. I just need to feel like I havesomesmall place here. Even if he doesn’t want me around, at least knowing he can tolerate my existence feels like a place to start.
He wants to taste me again. If all I am is salty sweetness on his tongue, then I can accept that. Either way, I’ll definitely make sure he doesn’t go to bed groaning again with a tented loincloth. That, at least, is a problem I know how to solve.
I don’t finish all my breakfast, but I eat my eggs, because they’re still my favorite. Especially the ones here. After I cleanthe kitchen and put away yesterday’s dishes, I step out into the hallway, and my eyes widen with concern.
There are at least a dozen orc women in the hallway. They’re all wearing black and white uniforms that seem to show too much skin, but I’m not sure what orc women normally wear. Some have brooms and are sweeping the floors. Others are using a stick with feathers to dust the paintings. One is carrying buckets filled with some sort of cleaning agent, based on the smell.
They all stop when they see me.
“So, this is King Lix’tuk’s new pet?” an orc woman says, walking closer to me. She puts her hands on her hips and glares like she’s looking at some nasty scum she needs to clean up. “I didn’t think King Lix’tuk liked humans.”
“King Lix’tuk?” one of the younger women says. “He hates humans. I’m surprised he hasn’t already whipped this one.”
I pull my dress tighter around my body. I didn’t really put it on properly, since I was in a hurry to make breakfast, so it’s barely hanging on my frame. I planned to take a shower after breakfast, since I didn’t take one last night.
“Yeah, she should still be bleeding in the dungeon,” another one laughs.
“I’ll stay out of your way,” I whisper, darting toward the bathroom.
I don’t know if they have keys or not, but there’s a lock on the door, so I use it. None of them follow me or rattle the handle, so I take a moment to breathe. I guess it’s not just King Lix’tuk who dislikes humans.
But I’m not going to stand in the hallway and be laughed at. They won’t be here forever. I just need to make myself scarce until they’re gone.
That proves to be more difficult than I imagine. I take my shower. I get dressed for the day. But no matter where I go, I don’t get to linger there long before one of the housekeepers shows up. Sometimes they point. Sometimes they laugh. I’m definitely a source of entertainment for them.
I tolerate it as long as I can, but once I overhear a few vulgar jokes while trying to find somewhere new to hide, I’m nearly in tears. My conversation with King Lix’tuk opened my emotions up, and now they’re a little raw. Probably what orcs call weakness.
After they’re done in the kitchen, I try to hide in there, but then the food delivery begins. Two hulking orcs pushing carts. They don’t point or laugh like the housekeepers. They look at me like they want to eat me or… no, that’s not hunger for food. I know enough now to recognize the difference.
“Um, excuse me, I’ll get out of your way,” I say hurriedly, then rush out of the kitchen.
There are still housecleaners everywhere. I thought there were only a dozen or so, but I think that wasn’t even half of them. After more giggles, pointing, and a few jokes, I duck into the one place I know they won’t be. King Lix’tuk’s throne room.
The door closes behind me, and I’m greeted by silence. He’s not on his throne, so he must be in his office. Good. I didn’t want to disturb him, I just need somewhere with no orcs except the one who admitted he’s going to taste me again.
Except I disturb him anyway. Because I barely get a chance to wipe my eyes before he walks out of his office.
“Is there a problem, little human girl?” he asks, folding his arms across his armored chest.
“No, no problem at all,” I say, sniffling, doing my best not to appear weak. “I’m okay. I just got overwhelmed because I’m not used to seeing so many orcs in Zrogmul.”
“Were any of them bothering you?” his voice holds a hint of threat.
“No, I mean… No, it’s fine,” I stumble with my words, forcing a smile. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll go back to the library. Maybe they’re done cleaning it.”
I turn to leave but a growl of disapproval stops me in my tracks.
“Little human girls who tell lies don’t get to touch me,” he chides. “I can tell you’renotfine. Just tell me what they did.”
