Page 9

Olivia

MY FEET WERE SWOLLEN and my back ached, so I finally surrendered and sank into the comfort of the sofa, closing my eyes to shut out the world.

This far into my pregnancy I found myself low on energy and in desperate need of a full-body massage. But I had to settle for hot baths instead.

As per usual, the thought of taking a hot bath conjured images of sharing a large Alaran tub with the one and only warrior I desired in every way. Despite feeling uncomfortable, I couldn’t stop myself from daydreaming about sharing more than a bathtub with Orin.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t let go of the desire for something that would never come true. The attraction I had toward Orin was so strong, it felt magnetic.

It would have been nice if he would at least acknowledge my presence and have a conversation with me.

The baby kicked, and I felt a sharp jab against my spine. I cried out and sat up, reaching back to massage my aching lower back. “Hey. Relax in there. Mommy is exhausted.”

I heard a chirping sound, signaling that someone was at my door. Letting out a groan, I forced myself up from the sofa and wandered over to swipe my hand across the panel. My friend stood in the hallway with a pained expression on his face.

Something felt off. “Clor? Come in.” I stepped back to usher him inside.

He shook his head and remained in the hallway. “I’m here to tell you I won’t be able to bring you to the marketplace anymore.” Clor’s voice sounded sad. He shifted from one foot to the other. “We should no longer spend time together.” His eyes dropped to the floor.

My head jerked back in shock; mouth wide open in disbelief. “Why? What happened? Have I upset you or done something? What changed in the last few hours?” I choked up as a lump formed in my throat.

He put his hands out to his sides. “It’s not due to anything you did,” he clarified.

“Where is this coming from?” Confusion filled my voice. Clor and I had a friendship. He was one of my only Alaran friends besides Trex.

He frowned, still unable to make eye contact.

“Clor? What’s going on?” I squinted at him.

He fidgeted and his eyes darted around before settling on mine with a look that squeezed my heart. “The bullies yesterday are part of a group called purists. They are after people like me.”

While stepping forward, my hand stayed in its usual place on my baby bump. “Then you shouldn’t go alone. All the more reason I should go with you.”

He let out a soft chuckle. “No. That can’t happen. You must stay at the palace where it’s safe.”

What he was saying didn’t sound like the complete truth.

I moved my hands to my wide hips. “Then why can’t I visit you in the kitchen?

There are no bullies there. This makes no logical sense.

.. who told you to tell me this?” I was certain this didn’t come from my friend.

There was no reason for Clor to push me away like this.

He coughed to clear his throat. “A visitor advised me not to put you in danger. You should know I never intended to put you in harm’s way. I’m sorry.”

My hands fell to my sides as my eyes widened. Danger? “What? Who? Who was this visitor?” I found myself growing anxious and angry that someone would do this.

His fingers clenched the sides of his tunic as he directed his mournful gaze toward me. “It was...your K’sha...”

“What? Do you mean Orin?” I interrupted, and the sound of my own high-pitched voice startled me before I even realized I was speaking. Who else would call themselves my fated mate? I scoffed. If it were true, why didn’t he admit it to me instead of threatening Clor?

“He did not tell me his name, but I have seen him before, here at the palace. He is a strikingly handsome male, with chiseled features, and brown hair to here?” He indicated with his hand Orin’s hair length.

I would’ve laughed at Clor’s vivid description if things weren’t so serious.

My hands fisted, and I let out a groan. “Yeah. That’s him.

” I closed my eyes and sighed in frustration.

“How dare he go to you like this. He had no business...” The words died on my tongue and I swallowed as my throat dried.

I couldn’t decide which was worse. The fact that I now knew I was his mate?

Or the fact he was struggling to acknowledge the connection, and didn’t want me.

Clor continued to speak, while I stewed. “He asked me not to take you to the marketplace.” His gray eyes filled with hurt. “You did not tell me you have a mate.”

My stomach burned at the sudden realization, which he confirmed. I should have told him about Orin. Not that I knew Orin was my mate, but that I liked him.

Clor’s voice held a lot of emotion as he spoke. “What I feel for you is more than friendship, Olivia. I always knew you were not my K’sha. Though I’d hoped you might allow me to be your mate once the youngling was born.”

My eyes filled with tears at his confession. How could I have been so stupid?

“I’m so sorry for all that’s happened. Please know, I never meant to hurt you.” Unsure if any words could improve the situation, I reached out and touched his arm. It was heartbreaking to know I had lost a dear friend.

Clor’s eyes closed, and he compressed his lips.

I gulped, knowing I had royally messed things up. “You have been a great friend to me, Clor. I don’t know how I would have coped without you.”

Clor looked at me and frowned. “Your mate has genuine concern for you. His presence at the palace implies that he cares more than you may realize. I suggest you speak with him. It’s not appropriate for me to be spending time with someone else’s K’sha.”

My eyes shut, and I swallowed down the impulse to break down. The baby’s small kick seemed to mirror my distress.

“I didn’t intend to upset you. But felt you should know right away,” said Clor.

“I’ll be fine. It’s the fact I’ve hurt you. It’s this situation... I didn’t know I was his K’sha, Clor.” I insisted.

He gave me a tentative smile. “I know.”

“Where did he go? Is he still here at the palace?” I glanced behind him as if Orin might be hiding there.

“He left.” Clor’s eyes brimmed with understanding and empathy.

If Orin left the palace, it suggested he placed little importance on our connection.

Clor seemed like he was getting ready to walk away.

My stomach soured. “Please forgive me for not mentioning him to you. It's a lot to ask, but I hope we can still be friends?”

His head bobbed. “All is forgiven. I understand... I hope you will be happy.” He turned to leave, and I watched him walk away. The door slid closed, and I shook my head while tears streamed down my face.

I couldn’t help the flood of emotions inside as I paced around my living room. “If he cares so much, why does he keep ignoring me?” I grumbled, wiping at my cheeks.

Part of me wished I was attracted to Clor in the same way I was Orin. It would make things so much easier. Walking back and forth I grew more upset. “Why doesn’t he want me?” I spouted as a thought formed in my mind.

It’s clear he doesn’t want to be with me. He can’t control who I spend my time with.

FISTS CLENCHED BY MY sides I marched toward the door intending to seek help from palace security. Enough was enough. I was going to make Orin talk to me.

When the security office door opened, I was greeted by Kagin, the Captain of the palace guard. “Miss Olivia. What can I do for you?” His mouth curled into its usual cheeky grin.

Right now, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with his sense of humor.

I put my hands on my hips and thrust my chin forward before he could make a joke. “Do you have Orin's home address?”

His head snapped back and his eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Orin doesn’t work here. He’s with the city-”

With a grunt of annoyance and an eye roll, I interjected. “I’m aware he’s not at the palace. Just tell me how to get to his house. I need to speak to him.”

Kagin chuckled, then chewed the inside of his cheek. When he didn’t answer right away, I thought he wasn’t going to help me.

He studied me, then responded. “He is supposed to be staying at the city barracks, but I think we have a home address on file. The barracks are closed to females and will be locked for the night now, anyway.”

“What about the home address?” I wondered why he would stay at the barracks at all if he had a home to go to?

“It’s further away. I’ll get the address, but you’ll need to take transportation to get there. It’s not safe to wander outside the palace without an escort.”

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes again. Right now, all I cared about was confronting Orin and straightening things out once and for all. I needed to know where I stood.

Kagin scratched his head, and it seemed like he was sensing my emotions, but I wasn’t sure. “I’ll order a viko for you, but I won’t be able to come along since I’m on duty. If you like, I can have another guard-”

“I’m okay going by myself,” I said, cutting him off.

His silent look of surprise made me realize the rudeness in my words given how he’d offered to help me. With an embarrassed smile, I uttered the words, “thank you.”

Address in hand, he accompanied me to the palace gates, staying by my side until my ride came. When it did, he told the onboard AI to wait for me at my destination, and return me to the palace when I was finished.

Kagin stepped back and waved me off while the AI responded.

Thanking him again, I got in and chose one of the many empty seats as the door slid shut. The onboard AI advised me to stay seated, then hovered and glided through the air.

The only sound it made was a faint hum as we made our way through the city streets.

Struna was a gigantic city and a lively trade hub. During the day, the white stone buildings with reflective glass were attractive, but at night they had an almost eerie presence as they loomed over the streets. The cleanliness of the city was pristine.

The streets were empty. Most of the citizens were probably at home unwinding. If that was the kind of thing an Alaran did. Honestly, I had no clue how they spent their free time. After today I knew there was a lot I still didn’t understand about the Alaran people.

I had gone sightseeing with Grace and Trex twice. I’d learned there were museum-like buildings that primarily focussed on the Monarchy, its past rulers and details about a war that ended around a century ago.

While it provided valuable insight into Alaran history, I wished I could see more of the city as well as the countryside.

According to Clor, there were forested parks on the outskirts, although I had not had the chance to see them myself.

We had only walked to the market, always taking the same route.

The city center was encircled first by businesses then further out by residential streets. The homes were quite distinct from the outside and nothing like homes on Earth. I was sure they would have AI just like every other place I’d seen. But I’d never stepped inside an Alaran home.

“You have reached your destination,” the AI voice announced at the end of the journey. The transportation vehicle parked in front of a small house that was situated among a series of identical homes.

All the houses were painted white. The windows were encased in colorful frames ranging from dark-brown to pale yellow.

I stepped out of the viko and made my way toward the house number Kagin provided.

Each house had beautifully maintained gardens in front. The paths were beautifully decorated with shrubs and flowers, leading to doorways that were clearly built for beings of much greater height.

A small laugh escaped me as I struggled to imagine Orin, or any warrior, being responsible for maintaining such a lovely garden. The house didn't match the image I had of where he lived.

With my newfound calm, I wondered what I should say to him? My mind was blank, and I had no idea what words would come out of my mouth when I faced him.

I glanced over my shoulder to see the vehicle hovering in silence above the street and debated getting back into it to go home.

“I can do this,” I muttered as the front door of the house opened and I jumped back.

My stomach flipped when I saw a beautiful Alaran woman emerge. I could see her pointy ears peeking out from under her one long braid of brown hair.

Panic struck, and I dove back into the viko before she could notice me. My body trembled at the discovery. “Take me to the palace.” I said aloud to the automated vehicle. Tears streaked my cheeks as I began to sob.

So much for me being his fated mate. It was clear why he didn’t want to acknowledge me or speak to me. It seemed he already had someone.

I felt extremely embarrassed and foolish.

Orin already had a mate!

It made sense now why he’d ignored me since we arrived on Alara. Full of shame and heartbreak, I cried all the way back to the palace.

When the viko stopped outside the gate, I hurried out and rushed to my apartment, keeping my head down, hoping nobody would see me.