I get dressed, carry my shoes into the hallway, and slip them on. He never seems to sleep long after I leave, so I hurry to the kitchen to get started on breakfast. He’s had some of the meals adjusted so that they’re more to my liking. I didn’t even ask him to do that, but mine now have extra eggs and no fire bread.
I’m not as thin as I used to be. I don’t feel permanently dehydrated. I’m noticing my breasts are a little bigger and my bottom is more rounded. The daily showers and healthy food have made both my skin and my hair glow. I’m not sure if his seed is a contributing factor or not. The clothes Lady Frax’mo sent fit better than ever, like she saw my potential when she bought them. I still don’t feel very pretty, but at least I no longer look like a starved girl from Troona.
I have the coffee waiting and the food in the Reviver when I hear him walk into the dining hall. I bring our breakfast in with a smile on my face. I’m smiling a lot more lately. Probably more than I ever did in Troona.
“Good morning,” I say softly, putting his breakfast down beside his coffee.
“Morning,” he rasps, his voice still rough with sleep.
We don’t say much once we start eating. King Lix’tuk is still an orc of few words, and I don’t try to press for conversation most of the time. I know he’s got a lot on his mind. More than usual, it seems. He’s met with quite a few Lords and Ladies who have made the trip to Zrogmul. I even got to see Lady Frax’mo a few days ago, but she didn’t have time to talk. Her meeting with the king seemed rather serious.
“I’ll have more meetings today,” King Lix’tuk lets me know his schedule. “Trying to sort some shit out.”
“More Lords and Ladies?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he confirms with distaste. “I’m dealing with orcs who seem to care more about prophecies than common sense.”
“What prophecy has them so worried?” I ask curiously.
He glances at me and sips his blackroot coffee. “Long before I was born, a soothsayer prophesied that Uzrirgard will fall when my bloodline ends. It’s nonsense. There have been plenty of prophecies that never came true. Uzrirgard will be fine after I’m gone, unless the Lords and Ladies tear it apart fighting for my throne.”
I’ve heard bits and pieces, but not everything. I knew it had something to do with his bloodline, but I didn’t realize how serious the prophecy was.
“And your heir…” I say hesitantly, not wanting to upset him. “He was stillborn.”
“None of my heirs lived long enough to draw their first breath,” he explains quietly. “It wasn’t just one, Clover. My wife and I tried for centuries, but if my bloodline was blessed by the Twelve Gods, then the blessing has finally run its course.”
“Oh, my goodness,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know there were others. One was awful enough. I can’t imagine what you and your wife went through.” My heart goes out to him. He doesn’t look at me. After a moment, another piece of what he said settles into place. “Your wife lived for centuries? Was she like you?”
“Yes, she lived for centuries, but it wasn’t because she was like me,” he growls, and I see a hint of sadness in his dark stare. “Carrying my child extended her life, but every baby we lost tooka toll. I didn’t want to keep trying after we’d buried so many. That fucking prophecy haunted me then, and it’s still haunting me to this day. My wife believed in it, and… I blame it for her death. If we’d stopped, she’d probably still be here with me today.”
“And you weren’t even able to be here when she died because of The Great War,” I say, looking down at my plate with a feeling of shame. It seems we’ve both lost our appetites. “No wonder you hate humans so much.”
“One of many reasons,” he grumbles. “I thought with all our advances, orcs would turn away from foolishness like prophecies, but they just won’t let go of it. They’re arguing over who is closest to my bloodline now, trying to find an orc who will make a suitable king. That won’t end peacefully. Some of them are ready to start a war as soon as I draw my last breath.”
I listen and take it all in, sipping some of my coffee as I consider what he said.
“Is that why Lady Frax’mo sent me here as a gift?” I ask hesitantly. “She wanted you to…”
“Put a baby in your belly?” he snarls with anger. “Yes, that’sexactlywhat she wants. The Lords and Ladies have finally given up on trying to get me to wed one of their daughters. Now, they’re so desperate they’ve sent you.”
“Surely they know how you feel about humans,” I am flabbergasted by their behavior and not sure how I feel about being his gift now that I realize the reason why.
“Clearly, I don’t know howIfeel about humans. Not since I let one start sleeping in my bed,” he complains, glaring at me. “I’msure they assumed I wouldn’t be able to resist. I’m in my final days, but I’m not dead. I still have needs, as you’ve seen.”
“Yes,” I say, swallowing hard, still tasting him on my tongue from last night. “But for what it’s worth, I’m glad you allowed it. I enjoy spending time with you.”
“I will never risk getting you pregnant,” he speaks the words seriously, still glaring at me. “Humans are a lot more fertile than orcs.”
“But wouldn’t that solve the problem? If I got pregnant, you would have an heir. If it’s a boy, I guess,” I say, some uncertainty swirling inside me.
“My bloodline only produces male children,” he corrects. “Strongmale children that get stronger with every generation and are more difficult for their mothers to carry them. My mother lost three children before I was born. My wife…”
“I’m sorry,” I say, seeing the grief in his eyes. “I can understand not wanting to go through that again. I’m sure it was hard on you, too.”
“It was,” he admits. “I never want to feel that kind of pain again, and I would never subject anyone else to it. Even a human.”
“That means we’ll never go further,” I say, looking down again.
