Page 83 of Bound to the Orc Guardian

I follow her out into the main room of my heart tree cottage.

The honey-colored room gleams in the last of the evening sunlight pouring through the windows, the walls, ceiling, and floor formed out of the living wood of the tree. Cushioned couches bracket the stone fireplace on my left, and a full kitchen waits on my right, the cupboards shaped from living wood. The door to the bathing room stands opposite the bedroom.

It looks a lot like the heart tree cottage I grew up in, only there aren’t any decorations yet or family mementos. I’ve lived a simple life for so long I haven’t acquired many personal items beyond my guitars.

Or at least that’s how I left it weeks ago. Now I see touches of Selena everywhere. One of the human paper cups that holds their favorite bitter beverage waits on the kitchen counter—Olivia conjures the drink for the women every morning, since they seem unable to function without it. A vase holding a spray of meadowsweet flowers sits on the dining table. A colorful blue blanket drapes the back of acouch. The leather jacket I made her hangs on a peg by the front door. They’re little things, but they already speak of my bride making this her home.

She’s already brought her warmth and light into this cottage I left bare just as she’s brought it into my life.

I need to do everything I can to make sure she never regrets it.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Selena

Excitement skitters through me as I pull Sturrm along, taking two steps for every one of his.

As much as my magic told me he was fine, to have him awake fills me with joy. He’s done so much for me, taken care of me every step of our journey, that the thought of doing something special for him hastens my steps.

We circle the wide trunk of another heart tree cottage, the magical homes yet one more amazing thing to love about the village. Sturrm told me all about them during our travels, but it didn’t do justice to how lovely and cozy they are orto the feeling of life and magic they wrap you in like a big blanket hug.

It’s that perfect time of evening that Sturrm told me he likes best. Everyone in the village has stopped work for the day, and the fading light of evening is just enough to let you see your way around easily. I always thought I was a big city girl, but no longer. In only two days, I feel more at home here than I have in years. Part of it’s the magic, the way it speaks to the power that runs through me. The other part is the people.

We round the last cottage, and the village green opens before us with a crowd waiting. Dash stands with a few other unicorns, most of them a bright white with silver manes, tails, and horns. Bella waits with her brother, Drake, who’s green like their mother and already far larger than Bella’s six-feet, even if he is younger. He teases her about her small size constantly, but she gives as good as she gets, making it clear she has much better control over her dragon fire.

In addition to our animal friends, orcs cover the open area, the entire village turning out to welcome us. A group of human women stand near the front, their husbands towering behind them.

Wooden tables and chairs dot the large, open area, brought outside from the pub. Glow stones hang all around like party lights, and more of them dangle from the chains of the Whirling Swings ride Grace conjured into being. It stands right in the center of the open space, and she told me all about how it offers protection from sluagh attacks coming from the sky. But most of the time, it gets used forits original purpose—a ride that makes the children shriek in delight.

Sturrm comes to an abrupt halt, his eyes darting around. “What is this?”

“It’s a welcome home party.”

“For me?”

I hate the disbelief in his voice, his inability to believe anyone would value him. That’s not the feeling I get from the people here at all. Those who knew him from years ago are glad to have him home, a son of the village who honorably served their king. Others are happy for his strong arm, so good in a fight. And everyone agrees his singing is the best in the village. I got all the gossip when I went to Reta, the head weaver, to get new clothes. My healing magic took care of a touch of ligament strain she suffered in her wrists, and she told me everything I could ever want to know.

Including that Sturrm needs to reestablish a relationship with his parents. They stand to the side, an older pair of orcs, still tall and strong with muscle. A touch of old pain pinches the skin around his mother’s eyes, but his father looks at him with pride.

I place my hand on his lower back and give him a little shove in their direction. “Go say hi.”

He leaves right as Ashley and the other human witches reach me.

“Hiii!” The pretty redhead throws her arms around me in a tight hug, her plumpness making it comfy and soft and so, so good. Ashley gives the best hugs. “Do you think he likes it? I thought I was an expert on reading grumps, but I think I’m only an expert on Dravarr.” She throws a fondglance toward her husband, the clan’s warlord, her light face suffused with happiness.

“He better,” Taylor says, coming in for a hug. Tiny and full of energy, the brunette gives me an infectious grin, a smile lighting her tan face. “Or I’ll lift him into one of the swings, and Grace can start the ride.”

I laugh, picturing her using her telekinesis power to get Sturrm on the carnival ride.

“Just say the word, and I’ll start up the old girl,” Grace says, hooking a thumb toward the Whirling Swings. The tall, pale blonde offers me a quick hug, a bit shier than the other women.

“Nope!” Olivia says, pulling me in for a hug. She’s taller than me, her tan skin a little more olive, but we have really similar hair. “First, we eat!”

“Yes!” As much as I love being a healer—my magic is a lifelong dream come true—Olivia’s ability to conjure food is really amazing. Ay! I’ve already had far too many Cuban espressos than is probably good for me, but they fueled me through putting this party together. No regrets.

In only a couple of days, these women are already friends. They welcomed me so completely it made my head spin. “We’re the only humans in Alarria, but it’s more than that,” Ashley said when we first met. “We’re witches. We share a bond. Can’t you feel it?”

I closed my eyes and felt for her and the others, and something tingled at the edge of my awareness. The goddess’s lullaby filled my mind, and I hummed it.

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