“Yeah,” she mutters, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Clover. We should have never let you get on that train. I’ve regretted it every single day.”
“You didn’t have a choice. You had two other daughters to think about. If I didn’t get on that train, all of you would have been in danger,” I soothe, reaching over and squeezing her hand. “I’ve never once been upset with you or Dad. I’ve always understood it was bigger than you.”
“But not bigger thanyou,” she says, smiling faintly. “My daughter just led an army of orcs into battle!”
“Iwasn’t leading them,” I laugh, shaking my head. “Most of them wanted to conquer and destroy Concord City during the chaos of the protests. But King Lix’tuk listened to me and put an immediate stop to that line of thinking. He was able to look past his hatred, and I’d like to believe I had something to do with that.”
“I’m sure you did,” she says confidently. “You changed the world, Clover. I don’t know what happens from here, but I know things will be better because of what you did.”
“I hope so, Mom,” I sigh, looking down. “I really do.”
“Are you going to stay in Concord City, or will you be returning to Uzrirgard with King Lix’tuk after this is all over?” she asks. “I’m not saying you should stay. If your heart is with him, then I understand. I’m just curious.”
“He wants to free me. I want to go back with him,” I admit. “I’m honestly not sure what will happen.”
“Well, if you really want to go back, I’m sure you’ll find a way to convince him,” she says. “You’re a lot moreconvincingthan I ever realized.”
I lean over and hug her. I’ve missed her. I’ve missed all of them, so much. For so long, home meant Troona, my parents, my sisters, Rose, and the life I was supposed to lose quietly.
The reality is, I’m not the girl who got on that train anymore.
My family is still my family, but my home is somewhere else now.
CHAPTER 31
Clover
The months after the revolution are more exhausting than starting one to begin with.
Most of the orcs aren’t excited about serving as emissaries of peace instead of conquerors, but they follow orders. With their help, almost all of the senators are brought to justice, and the last of the military resistance is dispersed.
I’m not in the thick of things, but from the Mobile Command Center, I go live every day. I become the voice of peace, instead of revolution. That’s what I’m doing right now.
“Remember, the New Constitution will be voted on tomorrow. Every vote counts. It doesn’t matter if you live in Concord City or not. If you’re a citizen of this country, your voice matters now,” I say. “So please use it. Go to the polls tomorrow and make sure no one ever gets to decide your future without you ever again.”
I end the broadcast and lean back in my chair, reflecting on everything I said. I’d like to believe that my voice matters, butI’m mostly continuing these broadcasts because I’m the one everyone is familiar with.
“Have you figured out yet that you’re their leader?” King Lix’tuk asks and I nearly jump out of my chair because I didn’t realize he was in the room.
“Warnings, remember!” I admonish, spinning my chair around, putting my hand on my heart dramatically. “You can’t sneak up on me like that.”
“I didn’t sneak in here. I walked in the room, and you were live on the air, so I took a seat to wait for you to finish,” he growls, but his tone is playful. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
I sigh and shake my head. “I’m not their leader. I’m just the voice they’re used to hearing. They’ll have a leader soon.”
“Yes, voting on the New Constitution first is wise. Make sure there are laws in place that the next president has to follow. Then they can decide who should lead them. Question is, are you going to be on the ballot?”
“For president?” one eyebrow shoots up. “No, that’s way more responsibility than I want. I just… I just want to be with you.”
“I can’t give you the things you deserve,” he says quietly.
“No, but you can give me what I want,” I sigh, frustrated. “I really don’t want to talk about that right now. I’m tired.”
“Then let’s get some rest,” he says, offering me his hand. I take it, even though resting isn’t what I really want to do.
His enormous hand is warm around mine, the roughness of his fingers brushing against my knuckles as he leads me out of the broadcast room. The halls of the Mobile Command Center arequieter than they were in the beginning. There are still orcs moving through them, still voices carrying from distant rooms, still reports being delivered and orders being given. But it no longer feels like the whole world is screaming at once.
Maybe I’m just too tired to hear it. But being tired doesn’t mean I’m not eager to spend time with the orc I love. By the time we reach the suite he’s using, I’m not sure if my heart is racing because I’m exhausted or because every step has brought us closer to being alone.