“Clover…” he groans.
“You don’t get to send me away,” I say, tearing up a little, glad that the darkness conceals it. “I’m a gift and unless you want to upset the Twelve Gods, you have to keep me.”
He lets out another growl, but he doesn’t argue. He just pulls me closer, and that’s how I know. He doesn’t want to let me go either. Giving me my freedom might have been the right thing to do the night I arrived, but it’s not the right thing now, because I don’t want it. If I’m free, I choose to be with him.
I’m exactly where I want to be. It’s where I belong, whether he fully realizes it or not.
This is myplace.
CHAPTER 29
Lix’tuk
I can’t do the right thing even when I want to.
Or maybe I’m not capable of deciding what’s right anymore. Maybe I never was. I’m reflecting a lot more on my life recently. The mistakes I’ve made. They all seemed right at the time, but I was blinded by grief and rage. Maybe the reason I think Uzrirgard no longer needs a king, is because deep down, I’m trying to protect them from more of my mistakes.
Two days ago, Clover gave a speech that literally changed the world. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but once she started speaking from the heart, I knew they would listen to her. I just didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly. None of us did.
In my war room, I’m listening to all the updates as they come in. My war council is here with me, but I don’t care about them. The only thing I care about is the woman beside me. The woman who refuses to let me push her away, even when it’s in her best interest.
“Your Majesty, the humans are protesting in the streets, but they’re no longer calling for orc blood,” Lord Frax’mo says. “Their leaders are hiding from angry mobs. Half their soldiers don’t know what side they’re supposed to be on. Now is the time to strike. We can put an end to this once and for all.”
“I agree with Lord Frax’mo,” Lord Bruz says. “We were hoping the human girl’s speech-”
“Her name is Clover,” I snap.
“Sorry, Your Majesty. We were hoping thatClover’sspeech would create doubt and uncertainty. It’s done that,” Lord Bruz says. “Let’s finish this.”
“I gave my speech to prevent a war, not weaken them enough for orcs to… finish them off,” Clover says, shaking her head.
“Is it really necessary for her to be here, Your Majesty?” Lady Sharog sighs with so much condescension, it’s palpable. “She’s already done her part. This is a decision for orcs.”
“I think she’s earned her spot at this table,” I raise my voice, glaring at Lady Sharog. “And I won’t hear otherwise.”
My war council may not like it, but Clover is as invested in this as they are. Plus, if I’ve found a way to look past my hatred of humans, they can too. They don’t bear scars from fighting them. Their hatred is nothing but prejudice and routine.
“We’ve got another report coming in,” Lord Frax’mo interrupts. “Live broadcast outside the Presidential Palace in Concord City.”
“Put it up,” I order, turning my attention to the screen on the wall beside us.
Lord Frax’mo taps into the feed and it begins playing. The camera is shaking and the cameraman is breathing hard. There’s a woman running in front of him with a microphone in her hand. She finally stops, and the camera pans to reveal a large mob protesting outside President Highton’s residence.
“No more sons! No more daughters! No more Clovers!” the crowd chants, almost in unison.
The woman turns to the camera. Her hair is disheveled, her clothes are wrinkled, and she looks like she hasn’t slept in a couple of days.
“Lydia Smith, reporting live from the Presidential Palace in Concord City,” she begins. “We’ve received word that President Highton is inside with what is left of his security detail.”
The camera pans to show more of the crowd. It stretches on for blocks, but most of them are gathered outside the palace gates.
“Oh my god!” Clover shrieks, pointing at the screen.
“What is it!?” I turn to her, tensing up.
“That’s my mom… my dad…” she exclaims, tearing up.
I look at the two people she’s pointing at. She’s talked about her parents, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen them. They look enraged, especially her father. He looks like he’s ready to tear down the gates with his bare hands.
