Page 50 of Orin

Orin tilted my face with his hand under my chin and delivered a passionate and exhilarating kiss. My heart raced as we continued to make-out for several minutes until I thought we weren’t going to get to eat our dinner.

Not that I was complaining. I loved when Orin touched me. I loved everything about him.

My life had changed so much that I often found myself stopping to reflect on how lucky I was. It seemed too good to be true. But I had found someone who loved me for me.

Orin’s gaze locked onto me, and a smile spread across his face when he saw the joy reflected on mine.

He kissed me on the nose before taking a seat at the table. “I would have brought you a gift, but I did not have time to leave the palace. King Trex was in talks all day with leaders from various Alliance planets.”

It was nice to see him without a gift box this time. His thoughtful gestures, though unnecessary, melted my heart.

“You don’t have to bring gifts and flowers every visit. Seeing you is gift enough.” I gave him a spontaneous kiss on the cheek. “You’ve got me. I’m yours. All I want is your love and affection. Not gifts.” I moved to take a seat next to him.

Orin gave me a look that matched my own happiness that we were together. But I also sensed he was worried about something.

“How was your day?” I asked as we both began to put some of the various foods on our plates. It occurred to me that we were much like a happily married couple and I grinned to myself.

“I couldn’t wait to see you...like every day.” He responded.

His words made me happy because I felt the same way.

Orin placed his hands on either side of his plate and looked at me with his lips thinned into a line.

I put the serving spoon down and tilted my head. “What? What’s wrong?”

His eyes shone with uncertainty. “There is something I want to talk about.... it concerns your safety here at the palace.”

My body tensed, but I didn’t speak. I stared at him, trying to push away the panic that threatened to settle in.

“There are some problems in the outer provinces with Krilex ships being seen. And there is news of more conflicts in our airspace. A human colony was attacked.”

His words were making me more nervous by the second. This wasn’t what I was expecting him to talk to me about. Finally, things were going well, and I wanted life to be a constant state of bliss.

“What happened at the colony?”

The corners of his lips turned down. “Some human females were taken by the enemy. Many more have been rescued and are being brought to Alara for safety.”

I shuddered hearing about the abductions.

Sensing my fear, Orin reached out and took one of my hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Perhaps I should not have told you. It is only that I promised I would always be honest with you.”

I forced a smile, concealing the turmoil brewing inside me. I was happy he was telling me the truth. I just wished it was not such bad news.

“Are we in danger here? In the city, I mean?”

He gazed at me for a moment before responding. “It’s possible...yes.” He continued to hold my hands. “And I may be called to fight.”

I gasped. “You can’t! You’re Trex’s guard...And he promised Grace he wouldn’t have to leave the planet to fight. His place is to remain here, safe, as King.”

I’d felt reassured that both Trex and Orin would not have to fight or be in danger regardless of what happened with the enemy aliens. I guess I’d been lying to myself. He was a warrior, and I had to remember that.

The corner of Orin’s mouth curved up as if he was expecting my argument. “We aren’t leaving the planet, my love. The fight may come to us. If I am helping protect Alara and our King, it means you will have to be guarded by someone else. Here at the palace.” His expression hardened. “I don’t like it. I should be the one here protecting you...but until the Krilex and the Voletti are dealt with, all Alaran warriors are expected to protect the planet.”

I swallowed unsure I could handle it if anything happened to him. “Do you really think the Krilex will attack?”

He frowned and glanced at his plate while he responded. “Right now, we have to be ready for anything.” When he made eye contact again, he smiled. “I will do whatever I must, to ensure you are safe.”

I nodded because there wasn’t much I could say. His sense of duty was strong, and I had to trust that if he left to fight, he would come home to me in one piece.

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