Chapter 31
Clover
The months after the revolution are more exhausting than starting one to begin with.
Most of the orcs aren’t excited about serving as emissaries of peace instead of conquerors, but they follow orders. With their help, almost all of the senators are brought to justice, and the last of the military resistance is dispersed.
I’m not in the thick of things, but from the Mobile Command Center, I go live every day. I become the voice of peace, instead of revolution. That’s what I’m doing right now.
“Remember, the New Constitution will be voted on tomorrow. Every vote counts. It doesn’t matter if you live in Concord City or not.
If you’re a citizen of this country, your voice matters now,” I say.
“So please use it. Go to the polls tomorrow and make sure no one ever gets to decide your future without you ever again.”
I end the broadcast and lean back in my chair, reflecting on everything I said. I’d like to believe that my voice matters, but I’m mostly continuing these broadcasts because I’m the one everyone is familiar with.
“Have you figured out yet that you’re their leader?” King Lix’tuk asks and I nearly jump out of my chair because I didn’t realize he was in the room.
“Warnings, remember!” I admonish, spinning my chair around, putting my hand on my heart dramatically. “You can’t sneak up on me like that.”
“I didn’t sneak in here. I walked in the room, and you were live on the air, so I took a seat to wait for you to finish,” he growls, but his tone is playful. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
I sigh and shake my head. “I’m not their leader. I’m just the voice they’re used to hearing. They’ll have a leader soon.”
“Yes, voting on the New Constitution first is wise. Make sure there are laws in place that the next president has to follow. Then they can decide who should lead them. Question is, are you going to be on the ballot?”
“For president?” one eyebrow shoots up. “No, that’s way more responsibility than I want. I just… I just want to be with you.”
“I can’t give you the things you deserve,” he says quietly.
“No, but you can give me what I want,” I sigh, frustrated. “I really don’t want to talk about that right now. I’m tired.”
“Then let’s get some rest,” he says, offering me his hand. I take it, even though resting isn’t what I really want to do.
His enormous hand is warm around mine, the roughness of his fingers brushing against my knuckles as he leads me out of the broadcast room.
The halls of the Mobile Command Center are quieter than they were in the beginning.
There are still orcs moving through them, still voices carrying from distant rooms, still reports being delivered and orders being given.
But it no longer feels like the whole world is screaming at once.
Maybe I’m just too tired to hear it. But being tired doesn’t mean I’m not eager to spend time with the orc I love. By the time we reach the suite he’s using, I’m not sure if my heart is racing because I’m exhausted or because every step has brought us closer to being alone.
The door slides closed behind us, sealing out the rest of the world. Since being here, I’ve learned to love the sound of silence. I used to take it for granted in Zrogmul, but it’s so rare here, I miss it almost as much as I miss having King Lix’tuk all to myself.
“Let’s get ready for bed,” he growls, walking over to the armor rack.
“Just because I’m tired doesn’t mean I want to go right to sleep,” I say, walking behind him, running my hands along his scarred back once it’s bare. “It seems like that’s all we do now.”
“It’s easier that way,” he sighs. “Less temptation.”
“I know you keep telling yourself that when this is all over, you’re going home alone,” I can’t quite keep the frustration out of my voice as I continue rubbing his back. “I wish you’d listen when I tell you that isn’t going to happen. I’m coming with you.”
“You shouldn’t,” he growls, finally turning to face me. “We both know why.”
“Then for tonight, let’s not think about why we can’t do what we both want to do,” I say softly, meeting his dark gaze. “Let’s just enjoy the time we have. It could be days before we get time alone like this again.”
“You’re right,” he replies, taking my hands. “I love you, Clover. I wish I could give you the entire world instead of my broken piece of it.”
“I don’t need the world, I just need you,” I will my words to penetrate through his stubborn skull.
King Lix’tuk exhales, slow and heavy, like he’s been holding his breath for months.
His crown is already gone, hanging on the rack beside his armor.
Without it, he looks less like the king everyone follows and more like the orc I’ve been sleeping beside.
The orc who kissed me like he regretted every second he wasted not doing it sooner.
For a moment, we just look at each other, so many unspoken words passing between us before he finally breaks the silence.
“You’re staring,” he rumbles.
“So are you,” I say softly, letting my dress slip down my shoulders. “And since you’re staring, I may as well give you something to look at.”
His dark eyes move over me. Not the way men looked at me on the auction stage.
Not like I’m something to be bought or claimed or used.
He looks at me like he’s still trying to understand how I got past every wall he built, how I found the one living thing in Zrogmul and dragged it out of the darkness.
“I’m allowed,” he huffs, pushing my dress to the floor, his eyes roaming over every inch of my exposed skin. “You’re mine.”
I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. “Am I? You seem to be in a hurry to get rid of me.”
His gaze snaps to mine, and for one terrible second, I think he’s going to say that he wants me to go. That I’m free now. That he won’t keep me. That he still thinks loving me means pushing me back toward the life I was robbed of long before I stepped on that stage. Instead, he steps closer.
“You said you didn’t want to talk about it tonight, so I’ll respect that,” his voice vibrating through my body. “But as long as you’re in my arms, you’re mine. I just hope you find enough sense to stop rushing into them.”
“They’re the only place I want to be,” I breathe out, stepping closer.
His jaw tightens. His hand lifts, but he doesn’t touch me right away. He stops with his fingers close to my cheek, as if he’s giving me a chance to move away. I don’t. His knuckles brush my skin, so gentle it almost hurts.
I step into him, rising on my toes as much as I can, and he bends before I even reach for him.
His mouth finds mine with a force that steals the breath from my lungs.
This kiss isn’t surprising like the first one.
It isn’t desperate in the same way either.
It feels inevitable. Like we’ve been moving toward this since the moment I spilled coffee on his armor and looked up at him, terrified and stubborn and alive.
His arms close around me, lifting me until my feet barely touch the floor. I cling to him, fingers sinking into his mane, pulling him closer because close still isn’t close enough.
He groans into my mouth, and the sound rolls through me like thunder beneath my skin.
Months of wanting him come rushing back all at once. Every night I slept beside him and tried not to move too close. Every time I woke to find his side of the bed empty. Every touch that stopped before it became too dangerous. Every warning. Every impossible ache. Every almost.
His tusks graze my lower lip, and I shiver. He stills immediately.
“I’m fine,” I whisper against his mouth. “Kiss me again.”
A rough sound leaves him, half growl, half surrender. Then his mouth is on mine again.
He kisses me like he’s done being careful with everything except my heart. His lips move over mine, firm and hungry, and when I part for him, his tongue slides against mine with a possessive stroke that makes my knees go weak. He catches me before I can sag, lifting me fully into his arms.
I wrap my legs around his waist without thinking. He freezes and so do I. There’s no mistaking the way his body reacts. No mistaking the giant, rock hard cock pressed between us. The awareness hits both of us at the same time, sharp enough to make the room feel smaller.
“Clover,” he growls, my name rough with warning.
“I know,” I whisper, my arms tightening around his neck. “I know we can’t.”
His eyes burn into mine. “Do you?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “I promise.”
But my body doesn’t care what I know. My body only knows his hands are on me, his mouth is close, and I’ve spent too long wanting something I’m not allowed to have.
My back meets the blankets, and he comes down over me, one massive hand braced beside my head. He keeps most of his weight off me, but I still feel surrounded by him. Protected. Wanted. His warmth settles over my skin, and I grind against his engorged length before I can stop myself.
His gaze drops to the movement. “Careful, little human girl.”
“You used to love it when I squirmed against you like this,” I remind him.
“There was a loincloth between us,” he reminds me. “And my instincts are different now. I can’t help that.”
“Why? Because you love me?” I breathe out.
“Yes,” he sighs. “And because I know you love me. That kind of connection does something to orcs. Makes us… a little more feral.”
But instead of getting more intense, his expression softens, but only for a second. Then his mouth is on my throat.
I gasp, fingers clutching his shoulders as his lips move over my skin.
He kisses along the side of my neck, slower than before, every press of his mouth leaving saliva behind.
His tusks brush carefully, barely there, but enough to make me tremble.
He notices. Of course he notices. King Lix’tuk notices everything when it comes to my body.
“You like that,” he croons.
“I like everything about you,” I whisper.