Page 17 of My Fated Orc Hero

But there is a new quality in his voice. Yes, he is still stern. Probably an orc thing...but there is something else now ... a softness. And that conflicted thing ... But what was that he said?

"My world?" I frown, confused. "What do you mean, the border with my world?”

“I mean what I said. The wards and spells around Fablewood are only woven to keep youout. I still don’t understand how you got in, but that is a different concern. Now, if I am to keep you safe, I see no other way but to take you back beyond our borders.”

“Keep me out? Keep humans out? What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. What doyoumean ‘what do I mean?’ I am the one who should askyouif you speak English? I mean what I say, no more and no less tiny human. Do I have to draw you a map?”

Holy shit.

It hits me like a thunderbolt.

The map I found in the basement.

“Oh my God, I didn’t time travel at all, did I? You have been here the whole time! Right alongside us?”

“Tiny human I am beginning to worry about your mental functions. Time travel? Are all of your kind so ...um, slow? Where else would we live?”

“"This changes everything!" I exclaim, feeling a mix of relief and, strangely, some disappointment. “I could just go back to the museum?"

"Museum?" Thokk's brow furrows. "What museum?"

“I told you I was in the sub-basement – of the museum where I work!” I explain excitedly.

I launch into an explanation about my Great Aunt Charlotte's mansion-turned-museum, my job and passion for history and mythology, and then finally the map. As I talk, I notice Thokk leaning in, genuinely interested. It's kind of adorable how his tusks poke out when he's concentrating.

"And this 'boss' of yours," Thokk growls after I briefly mention his attitude toward my ideas. "He often treats you so poorly?"

"Well, yeah, but that’s just —"

"I would crush him if I ever saw such disrespect," Thokk declares, his voice rising even as I see his hands form into massive powerful fists.

I can't help but giggle at the mental image of Thokk stomping into the museum and dangling Dan by his ankle. "Ya know, I am not opposed to the idea.” Even as I say it, I can’t help the sudden heat I feel between my thighs.

Oh my, hello there.

What the hell is happening with me? What is happening period? Even though I know it has been less than twenty-four hours since I was sitting petting cats with my friend Darla, itmight have well have been twenty-four years ago. I feel so oddly comfortable with Thokk.

“You would be my hero,” I add with a little bat of my eyelashes.

Did I just say that?Anddothat!

Am I flirting with him? With an Orc?

Thokk's cheeks darken in what I'm now sure is a blush. The tingling rush of sensation in my nether regions suddenly doubles.

“Then, you have been here all along...I mean all of your kind?”

“My kind?” he says, with both a confused, and maybe a bit of a defensive tone.

“Sorry, I mean, was that insensitive?” Now I am almost stuttering. “I mean all these ... er, creatures. Beasts ... beings, we would think are myth ...”

“Oh that. Yes, you humans are astonishingly small minded,” he says matter of factly, and as if that answers my question.

“Um, I didn’t mean that...”

“All of our lands and towns are warded. That is our way. Our kinds do not mix. Some still believe it is possible, but they are few. Though some of the aliens still think you are worth trying to get to know...”

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