Page 54 of Orc's Pride
“I…” my voice trails off.
Wasn’t it obvious? How could he be so calm and accepting of this? He’s only just found out about the conspiracy that some of his own species are working for the dark elves, and yet he’s calm and so… caring?
“Dana,” Pitha’s voice brings me out of my thoughts. “It’s okay.”
“You aren’t mad? Really?”
“I’m upset that some of my own have decided to walk down such a dark path. But from your bravery, we’re about to uncoverthe truth. That’s not something anyone should be taken lightly. You are a true hero. You know that, don’t you?”
My body jerks back from the shock of his words. A hero? I’d never considered myself one before, especially not now with him sitting here so hurt because I’d been stupid enough to get caught.
How he managed to find me out in the forest when he did, I’d never know. I suspect he has a supernatural instant that always leads me to him no matter where I am or what I’m doing. We always seem to find each other and gravitate in that direction. Like two forces of power that can’t help but attach to the other.
I shake my head at him, but he stills me by tightening his hold on my cheeks.
“I truly mean that. Old Malik would have nothing to solve if it wasn’t for you getting him those letters.”
My eyes widen. “You know about the letters?”
“We’ve had correspondence for a while now about them. In fact, he’s coming to visit in a few days in order to discuss more of what he’s found.”
My mouth drops open, but this time it’s more out of relief than shock.
He’s on good terms with Malik. That means he’s just as good of a person as my heart had expected him to be. My body sags suddenly, overwhelmed with how happy I am that he’s not a threat in disguise that my mind has dressed up into a pretty package.
“Oh,” I breathe out.
He laughs softly. “Did you think we didn’t talk?”
“I wasn’t sure. He never tells me about his contacts.”
“I see.” His lips brush over my forehead. “Not to worry, we are on good terms.”
“I’m glad, Pitha. I didn’t know who to trust after seeing that list. I’m sorry that I was so weird that first night you found me.”
“I understand. You didn’t know who I was.”
Even if that’s true, I still feel incredibly guilty. He’d done nothing but keep me safe inside of these walls, even as the outside threats continued to grow more hostile, and had given me no reason to suspect him of anything.
Then again… neither did Ishta apparently.
I sigh.
Pitha’s finger runs along my jaw to tuck under my chin, pulling it back up again. “Thank you for protecting me.”
I smiled softly. “I always will. Even when a giant axe is coming down to chop us both in half.”
He laughs. “A very romantic sentiment.”
My heart flutters at the mention of it. “It is, isn’t it.”
His gaze drops down to my lips. “Dana…”
“Yes.” I tell him before he even needs to say the words.
Cupping my face again, he pulls me into a kiss that’s as heated and passionate as the first time we’d done this. Back then, I’d regretted ending this so soon after they’d begun. I’d wanted him ever since, my body craving his hands on me, touching me in the same way he had up on that bluff.
Pitha runs his fingers along my outer thigh, dragging them in a lazy way that has heat pooling into my belly. He comes to rest it on my hip, squeezing me there gently in an unhurried way that has my brain short-circuiting.