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“Owana, let’s go lie down. The moon is high.” Jani says to his mate, looking concerned.
I look around and luckily orcs are moving around, many are headed in the direction of the big eating hall.
“Bring me the Queen tomorrow, young one. I must go rest. Happy festivities.” She says with a warm smile to both of us.
“Go rest, old orc. I will bring her to you in the morning.” Igor says and we bid both of them farewell.
I turn to look at Igor. As I am fixing my mouth to ask him for clues, Azula catches my eye as she approaches. She doesn’t spare Owa or Jani any friendly looks, and I don’t know why I’m surprised she doesn’t like one of the few nice people here.
Igor stiffens next to me when he turns and sees her.
“We aren’t going to wait for you in there forever, Imp.” Her tone isn’t friendly, and she spares me no glances at all. All her energy is focused solely on Igor. I don’t know if she wants me to ask about it or she is doing it because I won’t do anything to her. But every time I come in contact with this orc, I realize more and more why I don’t like her.
“We’ll come in when we are good and ready.” Then Igor turns to me and tunes her out.
I sigh because she just stands there not going anywhere. I take his hand. “Let’s go,Imp,” I say.
He chuckles. Azula stomps ahead of us and it starts raining just as we enter.
The night is long. The festivities are loud and beautiful, and I get my first glimpse of the orc culture Igor always told me about. There is dancing of various groups. Mostly the children and the young women who are still looking to be chosen.
Luckily, I got away with not dancing. But it was a good night and the first since I’ve been here where I felt like I wasn’t the center of the talk or attention, and everyone had a sense of community.
We went outside and watched the performances. Igor drank a little as a challenge from his cousins and is a little drunk by the time we leave.
Chapter fourteen
This Is Everything
Igor
Wesleptfinelastnight. It had been a while since I had real ale. She was happy for the first time, and I was so happy she felt safe enough to relax.
But when I woke up this morning she was already up and moving around the room.
Me and Aria finish brushing our teeth. She still isn’t talking as freely to me as she normally does. She has been giving me one-word answers and I have an idea of why, but so many things happened last night that it could be anyone of them getting to her more than the others.
My uncle’s ambush with the announcement of me leaving today, or what Owa said to her, or Azula. I want to comfort her, but I don’t know how to help any of those things.
She unties her hair and I know she is going to wash it. The water was ready before I got up.
“Aria?” I call to her. I know once she undresses, I won’t be able to think. I regret saying I’d take her to Jani and Owa after breakfast because I want to keep her here all day.
She halts as her hands latch onto the hair tie. She looks over her shoulder. “Hm?”
“Are you angry at me?”
She continues what she was doing. “Why would I be angry at you, Igor? You did nothing wrong.”
That sounds like I definitely did something wrong. “What did I do, Dove?”
She proceeds to undo her belt. I stand at her front and grab her hands. My body is already taut with anticipation. We hardly ever not make love before we wake up. My body is already crying for what it is used to. So, I need to talk with as clear a head as possible.
She sighs and pulls her hands from me. “How long will you be gone?” She asks, eyes not lifting to mine.
Frack.“Will you hate me if I say I don’t know?” I have always been honest with her and even though I want to ease this for her, the reality is it will be tough times for us, especially right now. I know my uncle has his eye on me and we are being watched.
“Yes,” she responds, but smiles joylessly after. My heart sinks when she lifts her teary eyes that she is smiling through.
