Alien Orc’s Prize (Starlight Brides)

4. Luna

CHAPTER 4

LUNA

B efore I was medically knocked out to go through the wormhole that would get us to Orhalla, Padreth gave me hope about my future husband. I guess not really my future husband, actually, since we were now officially married despite never having met. But my wedding-buddy-cum-chaperone was friendly despite the intimidating nature of his size and hard-boned face. He was conscientious and kind and generally seemed to want to make sure I was happy and comfortable.

It made me a little easier in my mind, thinking that Prince Gal might be similar. I figured, if Padreth was his advisor, they probably at least got along a little bit. I couldn’t see the advisor to a tyrant being as smiley and happy as someone like Padreth was. He was just too nice.

So nice that he actually looked like he felt a bit bad for my sake when he had to tell me that Prince Gal, aka my new husband, wasn’t there to greet me when I woke up upon landing on Orhalla.

“He’s… He’s not here?” I asked, voice cracking. I coughed a little and sat up slowly as Padreth watched me with what appeared to be a mixture of anxiety, pity, and maybe even some irritation.

“No. I am sorry. He was detained by im… other matters.”

It was like he’d barely stopped himself from saying “important matters,” because he must have realized how that would have sounded. What could be more important than greeting your new wife and welcoming her to your world? A world she’d never even stepped foot on before now!

OK. So he’s a busy guy. Well, that’s alright , I told myself as I attempted to shake off the effects of the trip here. Maybe we won’t actually see each other all that much. Maybe I’ll just be like some interesting, novel decoration he wants around the background of the place. Unobtrusive and vaguely pleasant. Like a nice little fern. Or potpourri.

I was honestly too tired and dazed from travel to feel stung about the fact Prince Gal hadn’t come to collect me or meet me upon landing.

And then, when the shuttle doors opened, I was too overwhelmed by what I saw to feel anything besides total and obliterating awe.

Orhalla was beautiful. Literally breath-taking. I realized after a few frantic heartbeats I’d forgotten to exhale.

The landing pad was a huge, natural stretch of pale stone perched atop a dizzying array of white cliffs curving around exquisitely clear, bright water. The sun was so warm and bright I found myself squinting against it, dragging a heavy arm upwards to shade my eyes as it glanced merrily off the white stone and turned the rolling sea below into an undulating blue carpet inlaid with gems. The air smelled – tasted – of salt, and a cawing sound, combined with the swooping and spearing of wings in the air, told me seabirds thrived here.

I’d never seen a seabird before.

I’d never seen a sea, either.

Most of my life had been spent breathing in the sharp metal tang of decrepit old ships. This – the sun and the sea and the salt and the sounds – was a revelation. In that moment, I decided I didn’t care one bit what my husband was like. I didn’t care if he didn’t have time for me. Didn’t care if he didn’t even want me.

If I got to live in a place this beautiful, it would all be worth it.

Padreth hovered anxiously near my side, his arm subtly angled towards me for me to grab onto if I needed it. But I was able to make it out of the shuttle on my own. An exhausted, delighted laugh burbled up and out of my throat when the warmth of the sun touched my face and my feet hit the stone.

I would probably have stood there for ages, completely stunned and shuttle-scrambled, if it hadn’t been for the sudden cry of, “There she is! Hello!” catching my attention and making me turn.

Two orcs – females, I was fairly certain, though they were nearly as massive as Padreth – stared down at me with bright, curious eyes. I instantly felt like an asshole, because they looked absolutely identical to me. I sternly and silently promised that I would not be some dopey human who thought all orcs looked alike. I was so focused on staring intently at them and trying to find differentiating features between their faces that I realized too late that I hadn’t made any effort to greet either one of them, or even smile.

“Maybe her translator doesn’t work,” the one on the left said, cocking her dark-haired head. The one on the right’s head followed suit, but in the other direction, creating an eerily perfect mirror image.

“No! Sorry,” I said, clearing my throat and plastering on a smile. “I understand you just fine.”

“She is recovering from the journey. Lesser species require medication to make the trip,” Padreth cut in from beside us.

Lesser… Lesser species?

Before I could parse that lovely little sentence, the two women had launched into rapid conversation, cutting each other off and finishing each other’s sentences in voices so similar I could barely keep track of who was speaking.

“I’m Neena!”

“I’m Noona!”

“We’re the prince’s-”

“-sisters!”

Sisters. Alright. Maybe they really do just look alike because of that. I felt a little better about my trouble telling them apart. Interestingly, their tusks, unlike Padreth’s bone-coloured ones, were red. Maybe all orc women had red tusks. I hoped my own white teeth wouldn’t be too off-putting.

“I’m Luna. I’m so happy to meet you.” Though I was on slightly uneven footing here, it didn’t feel like a lie. Neena and Noona really did seem friendly enough and excited to meet me, despite the whole “lesser species” thing I’d just caught wind of, whatever the hell that meant.

“Luna! It rhymes with Noona!” chirped Noona, the one on the right.

“A good omen!” Neena said with satisfaction, giving a broad smile that showed me only her large bottom tusks were red. The rest of her teeth were similar in colour to Padreth’s and my own.

A good omen? I thought as each sister took me by the hand and started leading me away from the shuttle. Dear God, I hope so.