Page 67 of My Orc Billionaire
But my Mate was in my arms, and I had to trust that she wouldn’t reject me. “I am,” I finally said. “And you are my Mate.” I blew out a breath, suddenly worried about saying the wrong thing. “Riven, you don’t have to accept me yet, I know our ways aren’t what you’re used to. But weareMates—myKteerknows it, my heart knows it. And I will wait as long as you need until you’re ready…but I’m going to do everything in my power to convince you I’m worthy of being calledyours.” My arms tightened around her. “Gifts, treats, trips to fun places, you name it?—”
She pressed her fingers against my lips to stop my embarrassing flood of words, and I trailed off.
“Does it hurt?”
Does it hurt? She was asking about my tusk at a time like this? When I’d announced my intentions? She moved her fingers, and my tongue flicked out against my capped tusk.
“No,” I admitted. “Not at all.”
Her smile was gentle. Soft. “You did that for me, didn’t you? This was the only gift I needed, Abydos. Not paying off my debt, not jewelry.” Her arms snaked around my middle, and she pressed her cheek to my chest. “I’m so glad you’re not torturing yourself anymore, Abydos.”
“Today I’m setting everything right,” I admitted.
“I’m proud of you.”
I realized I was holding my breath. Her acceptance was wonderful, but she hadn’t responded at all to the wholeMatething. When she exhaled, I felt her melt against me.
“And I’m proud to be your Mate,” she finally said in a small voice.
My eyes fluttered shut on a prayer. “Gods below,” I croaked, and crushed her to me. She was smiling as I lowered my lips to hers, but she tasted of tears and desperation and fear.
This wasn’t over yet.
The sound of a throat clearing reminded me we weren’t alone. I turned Riven toward Garrak.
“Garrak, this is my Mate, Riven Starr.Dkaar, this ugly male is my trusted friend and the soon-to-be-jobless Director of Mine Operations for Vengeance.”
He was grinning as he limped over and held out his hand to Riven. “Ms. Starr, it’s truly an honor to meet you.”
At the last moment, I snatched Riven’s hand out of the path of his and plastered it against my chest. “You can be honored to meet her without touching her.”
Garrak threw his head back and laughed as Riven frowned up at me.
I wanted to explain that this was part of the Mating Heat. MyKteerwould be unsettled and possessive until I claimed her fully.Soon.
But there was no time now. Sylvik stuck his head inside the room. “We’re ready for you out here, Abydos. Everything is set up, and the guys are all here. Even some of the protestors, but we’re keeping everyone separate.”
“Okay.” I took a deep breath, then nodded to everyone. “Let’s go make some history.”
I followed Sylvik outside to the platform we used to use for the picnic tables. Today we were using it as a dais so I could speak to everyone. Gods of the ancestors, I was going to speak to a crowd?Me?
My stomach was in knots, my pulse pounding too hard, as I looked out at everyone. There were the protestors at the back, waving signs and chanting slogans, and in the front were a small contingent of reporters grouped around cameras. And in betweenstood my men, the males who had trusted me to protect them since that disastrous landslide eight years ago.
I wouldn’t let them down.
Garrak settled to my left, his hands behind his back, his expression supremely unruffled. Well, that was the thing about him—he had seven hells of a poker face. It’s why he won so often.
Sylvik fussed with the microphone, then stepped aside so I could move forward.
And at my side, Riven slid her small hand into mine. When I glanced down at her, she didn’t speak, but merely grinned proudly.
And the knowledge I was doing this for her—forus,for our future—gave me strength.
Taking a deep breath, I faced the crowd.
“My name is Abydos. The government gave me the last name Smith, but like many of my brothers, I don’t bother using it, because last names aren’t important to my people.” I glanced around the faces of the miners, some of whom were nodding along. “This is my first press conference, which seems surreal.” Two of the reporters exchanged glances, likely thinking of my reputation as a recluse. “I will not be taking questions, because I can barely stand to be in the spotlight this long…but Iwillaccept interviews, if you’d like to reach out.”
When I closed my eyes, it was easier to say what needed to be said, to pretend I was alone in a room, or talking just to someone I cared about, like Riven.
