Page 16 of Orin

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.

---