He’s supposed to run… but he wants to be caught. In a world of orcs and men, Eben of Clan Ka-esh is shy, awkward, and desperately lonely. No one notices the sickroom’s quietest scholar, not even when he’s saving lives, or offering up decadent pleasures in Orc Mountain’s darkest depths. Until Tryggr, of Clan Skai. A tall, shameless, laughing orc warrior, who can have anyone he wants... And Tryggr keeps looking at Eben. Seeing Eben. But Skai are risky, reckless, dangerous — and all his life, Eben’s been taught to run from them. To hide safe and quiet and alone. Or else he’ll be forever crushed and conquered beneath a deadly Skai’s claws and teeth… But maybe Eben wants to be conquered. And maybe Tryggr is just the conqueror he needs… _____________________ A dark, angsty MM fantasy romance novella. Best read after The Maid and the Orcs, but also reads as a standalone. Happily ever after guaranteed.