“We should go to the Mobile Command Center,” I say, shuddering a little at the sight of President Highton in my peripheral vision. “I can do another broadcast to make sure the wounded know it’s safe to come to us for help.”
“Let’s go,” King Lix’tuk says, walking toward his ship. He pauses and turns back. “I meant all three of you, if that wasn’t clear.”
My heart skips a beat. I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye to my parents again yet, so I’m grateful they’re coming with us. Eventually, I will return to Uzrirgard. I’m sure that won’t be easy for any of us, but this is no longer where I belong.
Once we get to the Mobile Command Center, King Lix’tuk goes to meet with his war council. My parents don’t have any injuries, so I take them to the makeshift barracks. Larger structures are already being built nearby. King Lix’tuk has several floors reserved for himself and the Lords and Ladies. Hopefully theywon’t be too upset if there are some humans staying on one of those floors.
“Nobody is staying in this room yet,” I say, opening a door.
I walk in first, followed by my parents. It’s not as impressive as my suite at The Grand Hotel, but it’s still better than what we had back in Troona.
“Hopefully this is okay,” I say, turning to face them. “I’m sure you’ve gotten a much better place by now. Or at least I hope you have.”
“We made sure Beverly and Abigail had everything they needed first, but yes, we’re renting a place downtown. If it’s still standing after the protests,” my father says.
“I just… I can’t believe you’re standing in front of us again!” my mother says, so overcome with emotion she hugs the breath out of me again. “We’re so proud of you, Clover, but you can be honest now. Has that orc hurt you in any way? We don’t have to stay here.”
“Considering what is going on out there,” my father says, gesturing to a window that overlooks the Mobile Command Center. “I don’t think anyone will come looking for us if we go.”
Hurt is a complicated word when it comes to King Lix’tuk. He scared me. Punished me. Owned me, at least in the beginning. But he also protected me when no one else would. He championed my cause and that of my people. And now? Now he loves me.
“King Lix’tuk is complicated,” I say hesitantly. “But he hasn’t hurt me. Not really. He hasn’t even…”
I lean back from my mother’s embrace and she catches my drift. She immediately looks at my father.
“Honey, why don’t you make a drink and relax. I think Clover and I need to speak in private for a few minutes,” my mother says.
“I could definitely use a drink,” he sighs, walking over to the bar area. “Doesn’t look like they have Agave Wine.”
“I’m sure whatever they have is better than that swill,” my mother sighs.
She grabs me by the arm and pulls me toward the bedroom. I’m not sure I’m ready to discuss the intimate details with my mother, but if I can’t talk to her, who can I talk to? I have no idea what happened to Rose. She’s usually the one I can talk to about things like this. Once the door is closed, my mother sits on the bed and pats the spot beside her, so I sit down next to her.
“I’m glad to hear he hasn’t hurt you,” she says hesitantly. “Especially like that. If there’s something you don’t want to say in front of your father, I understand. You can be honest with me.”
“Well, if you want me to be honest, I am in love with him. I love King Lix’tuk,” I sigh. “And he loves me. I’m more than ready to… do that. We just can’t.”
To say my mother is stunned would be an understatement of immense proportions. Eyes huge, brows in her hairline and jaw opening and closing comically, she stutters for a moment, unable to decide which part of my revelations to respond to
“Wha—Wh—How—” She finally settles on one: “Why? Does he have some kind of medical issue or something?” she asks. “Oris he just old? He’s been around since The Great War. I wasn’t expecting him to look as good as he does. My goodness, he isbig, isn’t he? And that mane of black hair… And…just… Wow!”
Her overwhelm makes me laugh harder than I can ever remember and my mom joins in, dissolving in giggles and gasping for air. After a few delirious minutes, we wipe the happy/traumatized tears from our eyes and sober up.
“The problem is that if we do, there’s a chance it could kill me,” I explain. “If I get pregnant, I may not survive.”
“Humans who give birth to orcs don’t survive?” she asks, her eyes widening.
“No, no, most women are fine. It’s not that. King Lix’tuk is different. He’s lived as long as he has because his bloodline is blessed by the Twelve Gods. That’s what the orcs believe, at least. He’s not so sure. Regardless, babies from his bloodline take a heavy toll on the mother,” I take a breath, wincing a little. “King Lix’tuk and his wife were never able to have children. The ones his wife was able to carry to term were stillborn. And the last one took so much out of her, she didn’t survive.”
“I know we didn’t do the best job of talking to you about this stuff, but contraceptives exist, Clover. There are still ways.” She pauses and glances at the door like she’s unsure if she should continue, but she does so anyway. “Your father and I started using them after Abigail was born.”
“They don’t work so well for orcs. They’re too virile,” I reply hesitantly. “Extremely virile. I know I could have surgery, but… I don’t know. He doesn’t like that idea. He says he doesn’t want a doctor tomutilateme, just so we can be intimate.”
Saying it to my mother makes my face burn. Not because I’m ashamed of wanting him, but because even this part of my life has rules I didn’t get to make.
“That’s definitely a big sacrifice,” she sighs. “Especially if you think you may want children one day.”
“Honestly, I never gave it much thought. After Abigail was born, for a while I thought I’d never want children because of how much she cried.” I laugh at the fond memory. “But after she got older, I thought about it more. I just never expected to have a say in it.”
