My body is wrecked after the Twelve Knots ritual is finally complete.
The ritual takes days, just like King Lix’tuk said. There’s no real sleep. Just bouts of unconsciousness when one of us is too exhausted to keep going. After the ritual is finally over, I sleep like the dead. I’m not sure how long I’m out for, but when my eyes open, he’s already awake, resting on the bed beside me.
The look in his dark gaze and the smile on his rough lips give me the answer before I get to ask.
“Am I…” I glance up at him and down at my stomach.
“With child?” he rumbles. “Yes, you’re pregnant.”
“You said we would both know,” I say, putting my hand on my stomach. A second later, the food and water I had last night threaten to return. “Oh god, I need the restroom.”
“That’s how you know,” he chuckles, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “I’ll help you.”
He scoops me up and carries me down the hallway to the bathroom. I remember my mom being sick when she was pregnant with Abigail. I think she was a lot further along before she started getting sick, but I’ve learned that a lot of things are different with orcs.
“You’re going to be okay, Clover,” King Lix’tuk says, holding my hair out of the way and rubbing my back soothingly. “I warned you my offspring would be strong and take a toll. The treatment protocol may have strengthened your womb, but that doesn’t mean it will be completely painless.”
“Yeah, I kind of expected that,” I groan, wiping my mouth. “Our wedding is in less than a week. I don’t want to throw up on you when we say our vows.”
“Worse things have happened during orc weddings,” he laughs. “But maybe our child will allow us to enjoy the day.”
“Just one thing missing,” I say, leaning against him. “I still don’t have a Maid of Honor.”
“Clover, I’ve searched this entire planet for Rose. I’ve reached out to the wolf shifters and the demons. I’ve offered a bounty to anyone in Concord City who can locate her,” he sighs. “It’s like she vanished without a trace.”
“That’s what it feels like,” I mourn. “But that’s impossible, right? Jasmine wasn’t able to track down all the buyers, but most of them died during the revolution. Rose has to be out there… somewhere.”
“I’m afraid that no news isn’t good news. As much as I’d like to reassure you, I fear something terrible has happened to her,” he breaks the news gently. “I’m sure Jasmine or Lady Frax’mo would be honored to stand by your side. Or your sister, Beverly.”
“They would, but… I don’t know. It just wouldn’t feel right,” I say. “When Rose and I were little, we never expected to have a wedding, but we used to daydream about them. We always said if it happened, we’d be there. I know it’s foolish, but I’m going to leave the spot open for her. Just in case.”
“You’re a good friend,” he smiles. “If we don’t locate her by our wedding day, we’ll honor her during the ceremony.”
“Thank you,” I sniff, gripping his hand. “Help me up. I need a shower.”
King Lix’tuk helps me to my feet and into the shower. I don’t ask him to, but he takes it upon himself to bathe me. His rough fingers are incredibly soothing, especially when he washes my hair. He removes all the braids and trinkets, which I’ve been meaning to do for a few days, since I’ll have a stylist on my wedding day.
“If your stomach wasn’t upset, I’d have to take you back to our bedchamber,” he hums, tracing my skin while he dries me off.
“You know, you’re quite needy for an orc who is supposed to be in his final days,” I tease, leaning into his arms.
“Once our baby is born, my days may last even longer. Carrying my child will extend your life, too. I won’t be able to rest until my son no longer needs me.”
“Oh, is that how it works?” I ask, surprised.
“With my bloodline it is,” he growls.
“Then I’m really glad I’m pregnant. It means you have to put up with me even longer,” I laugh, my stomach finally feeling settled.
“Yes, you’ll be haunting this fortress with me for a very long time,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
We spend the day together, and when we finally make it back to the bedchamber, we’re both too exhausted to do anything but sleep. After knotting me twelve times, it seems that even the mighty orc king needs rest.
The next few days pass too quickly, and when our wedding day finally arrives, I feel extremely unprepared.
Thankfully, I’ve got a great support system, even if Rose isn’t here. My mom and Lady Frax’mo make a fuss while they help me get ready. Beverly helps some, but she’s mostly busy taking care of Abigail. She’s the flower girl today and quite excited to scatter the flowers down the aisle.
My wedding dress is white and gorgeous, the kind of gown I never dared to dream about back in Troona. The bodice is fitted with delicate silver embroidery that mimics the swirling battle patterns etched into orc armor but softened with tiny pearls and threads of pale gold that catch the light. It hugs my waist before flowing into layers of silk and chiffon that move like water when I walk, modest enough for orc tradition yet feminine enough to feel likeme.
