Loving an Orc (A new beginning series)

Chapter nine

          Zorg lay still staring up at the ceiling with Elise curled up against him fast asleep, except for the occasional hiccups that interrupted her quiet breathing. His chest clenched at the sound, she had refused to let him go clinging to him as tears continued pouring down her cheeks and so he'd stayed, stroking her hair as she drifted off into a fitful sleep. This was his fault, and he had no idea how to make it better, the door opened and an older female orc walked in holding a tray of food with one hand and a bowel with water in the other.

          "You need to go now" Nina moved to place her load on the table, dipping the towel she had tucked in her waist band in the water.

          "But... she needs me"

          "No, she needs to eat and freshen up and think, away from you, I know what you did Zorg, Arga told me" Nina hissed waving him off the bed and in another part of the house. Zorg winced, gently peeling himself away from Elis and following Nina out. He hung his head, preparing himself for the scolding he deserved.

          "What happened out there, what came over you?" Nina had her hand on her waist glaring at him.

          "She hates me, Nina. I forced her to do this and now she despises me. "

          "She said all this to you" Nina prodded.

          "Well not in those words... and not to me but..." Zorg stopped when Nina rolled her eyes.

          "Please don't tell me you heard a private conversation and decided you knew all she felt?" Nina asked hoping he did not do that.

          "I...I" Zorg began stumbling over his words.

          "Oh Zorg, do you think you have some all knowing radar that tells you what she's feeling and thinking without talking to her?"

          Zorg stared at her, his face blank like he could not comprehend what she meant.

          "Sit down Zorg, let me tell you something, something I managed to hammer into Arga" Nina motioned to a seat by the window as she took one across from it "I hope you understand this even sooner than he did"

          "You cannot always know what goes on in your mate's mind, you speak to her when you are unsure of things"

          "But I am her mate, I should be able to protect her and ..."

          Nina sighed, "And when she does not need protection, when she needs you to just listen and hear? You will not know that if you do not speak to her, and you will hurt her again if you continue to think you know everything"

          "I hurt her?" Zorg's voice cracked. "I did not mean to, I feel like I gave her no choice with this marriage, I heard her tell her sister she did not want to do this and yet I was too afraid to ask her what she wanted, I was a coward Nina."

          "Oh dear, I..."

          "That was not what I meant, I thought you didn't want this marriage" Nina and Zorg turned to find Elis standing at the door clutching her dress.

          "Why would I not want this my love, I feel so honored that you are here in my home and that you are married to me." Zorg stood moving to hold Elis, then his hand stopped short falling back to his side.

          "Then why did you not...last night you didn't...you know" Elis flushed, the words refusing to come out.

          "Ahem...I believe I'll wait outside until you're all done" Nina turned to Elis and beamed are her. "I'm Nina, Arga's mate, I'm so happy to have you here my dear." She took Elis's hand and squeezed. "Call me if he gives you any trouble." She gave a meaningful look to Zorg before leaving, closing the door gently behind her.

          "You said you heard me talking to my sister, is that why you wouldn't even look at me on the way there?" Elis asked, she was fighting back tears but she wanted to talk about all that had happened the past two days, needed to. She had promised to make this marriage work and if it was something she said that put it at risk, she had to do something.

          "I don't know what you heard but I'm sorry, I..."

          "No, my Elis. You did nothing, I'm the one at fault" Zorg gulped searching for the right words to use.

          "I should have asked whether you wanted to marry me or not, I did not do right by you. I made this about myself and I understand why you do not find me attractive so I..."

           "Wait, what? Who told you that ?" Elis interrupted shocked that someone would find Zorg unattractive, he was such a handsome man...orc and she found herself furious that someone would tell him such a lie...

          "Well, you told your sister that I was ugly" Zorg answered .

           "I never said that, where did you..." Elis stopped. "You heard my conversation that day." It was a question.

          "I did not mean to, I wanted to speak with you and I promise I left immediately"

          "Of course you did or you would have realized I don't find you unattractive at all, I thought YOU didn't like me." She blinked up at him.

          "Elis, I adore you. You are truly the most beautiful" Zorg was over the moon. His lovely Elis considered him a handsome male. "Why would you think I didn't like you?"

          "Well, you wouldn't consummate the marriage and I thought, you considered me ugly by orc standards. You're really handsome and I don't know what orc women look like so I..." Zorg's loud boisterous laugh stopped her, he doubled over clutching his stomach as he struggled to collect himself. Soon, Elis was laughing too bewildered by how happy she was to see him so joyous.

          "Why, what's so funny?" Elis asked finally pulling herself together.

          "You are incredibly beautiful Elis, why would you believe otherwise? Nothing happened that night because I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable. We are fated Elis, my heart called for you the moment I saw you so I was afraid you would reject me. I should have done this earlier but if you'll allow me I promise to care for you for the rest of our lives. I'll devote myself to you," Zorg swallowed, taking Elis's hand in his and pulling her closer to him.

           "I'm sorry for the way I treated you on the way here, for hurting you. Forgive me. I'll do better so please My Elis, give me the honor of being your mate. If ever you do not find me worthy of you then you can leave...Ahem...allow me to redeem myself then return home if I am still unworthy" Zorg grimaced looking like he'd eaten something bitter.

          Elis hid a smirk as she watched him fight through the last sentence not that she thought it would ever get to that but she admitted to herself that it felt good to have choices.

          "I want to try and make this work. You're right, I didn't have much of a choice about this. It was sudden and I was so afraid." A sad smile crossed Elis's face. "You gave me a choice Zorg, then and now and it made me so happy, so hopeful made me feel like this wouldn't be so bad."

          Elis looked up at Zorg's hopeful face, the way his hands grasped her gently, the acts of kindness she prayed would never run out, and whatever reservations she felt came crashing down. She would not be the only one putting an effort in their relationship. She was going to be happy.

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Hello gentle readers, I'm back. Sorry for the absence. Please leave comments and tell me you enjoyed it.

Authorlisalawrence I hope you're still here.

Good night.