Page 44 of My Fated Orc Hero

I feel my face heat up. "I, uh..."

Thokk's face flushes darker, but there's a twitch at the corner of his mouth and a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Watch it witch.”

Elowen cackles. "Oh, come on, can’t a witch have a little fun. After all, I think I’ve earned the right. Pretty sure my spell somehow brought you two together, didn’t it?"

“Seems that way, I thought it only fitting you should meet Zoe properly.”

“A pleasure dear. I am Elowen. Welcome to Fablewood.” The witch does a little formal bow.

I bow in response. “Thank you.” I feel a little embarrassed, but then suddenly what she said hits me. "Wait, a spell?”

“Zoe, are you okay?” Concern returns to Thokk’s face. And that adorable furrow.

“What about a spell,” The witch peers into my eyes.

“Are you saying Thokk and I – that I am under some sort of spell?”

“Oh no dearie!” Elowen chuckles softly. “That’s not how a mate summoning spell works, not really. I just gave fate a helping hand.”

“Wait what? How can you give fate a helping hand?”

She winks. "Magic works in mysterious ways, dearie. Just remember all things are connected. Now we just need to talk about your binding-"

Just as she says that a small gaggle old fairy looking ladies interrupt her.

“Yes, yes,” She addresses the ladies. “Please excuse me.” Elowen drifts off to attend to her patrons.

And not a moment goes by before Thokk and I surrounded by a whole new gaggle of curious monsters. They pepper us with questions.

"Is it true you're from the human world?"

"How did you get here?"

"Are there really no monsters where you're from?"

I do my best to answer, feeling a bit like a zoo exhibit. But as I talk, almost holding court in the middle of the street, I see the last vestiges of fear and suspicion in their eyes slowly give way to genuine and pure interest.

"You know," I say, warming to my audience, "where I'm from, most people think monsters are just stories to tell kids at bedtime. I always suspected there was more to it. And now here I am!"

A young fairy type creature pipes up. "You are not half as terrifying as I was told either!”

“Thank you? I think?”

As the last curious creatures finally move on, Thokk and I are alone once again.

“Can we just go home?” I put my hands on his chest. “I feel like I could sleep for days! It’s been a lot!”

“Of course, my Zoe.”

As we make our way through the streets, the events of the day swirl in my mind. The statue, the elders' acceptance, the claiming – it's almost too much to process.

"Thokk," I say, breaking the comfortable silence, "I almost can’t believe all this. It’s like a dream. And it has all happened so fast."

He grunts softly, a sound I'm learning means agreement. "That’s an understatement. But it is a wonderful beautiful dream. And I wouldn’t change a thing."

“A perfect dream.” I look around again at the magical setting.

As we walk, I notice how different the town feels now. The air of suspicion is gone, replaced by curiosity and, in many cases, genuine warmth. A group of young monsters wave enthusiastically as we pass.

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