Page 30 of Summoning the Orc

He relayed this to Rok, whose smile got huge and he rumbled out a quick laugh before he took me into his arms and spun me in a circle. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him and he stilled, deepening it before Penelope cleared her throat behind me.

“You still don’t know anything about him,” she called with a mischievous tone, pushing the mug of coffee toward him.

“We’ll get to know each other,” I told her, not looking away from the male who I’d just accepted as mine—while he took a sip of the strong brew and then spat it out, his face contorting with disgust. “It’ll be our own little trial by fire.”

Chapter Nineteen

Becca

“No,” I insisted to Rok and he grumbled out a few words in Orcish, stomping his foot, shaking one of the nearby tables. I folded my arms under my breasts, and shook my head. “I don’t care whatever your argument is. I don’t understand it anyway. The answer isno.”

He growled, a low sound of annoyance, but something instinctual inside me knew that when it came to me, this male was all bark, zero bite. I tipped my chin back, my stubbornness available in spades.

“No,” I repeated and his lip curled, so I knew he was recognizing the word and it was one he didn’t like.

Too bad.

Our trial by fire had started as soon as we made our way back to our apartment. I needed to go to work, and I asked Dristan to convey the fact that Rok would have to stay at home until I returned. He hadn’t liked it when Dristan had said it and he certainly was showing his disdain for the idea now.

“No,” he sounded out, the word a grated sound.

A startled laugh left me, but I couldn’t give in. There was aknock on the door and I watched as Rok moved toward it, using his body to block me from the entrance. I bit my lip to stop my smile from the protective move.

A few words were exchanged before Rok opened the door, slamming his fist on his chest at Rudgar. I winced at how hard he had hit himself, the sound resonating in the room. Rudgar repeated the greeting, before calling,

“Hi Becca.”

“Hi Rud,” I told him. “Can you explain to Rok that he can’t come with me to work?”

“That’s why I’m here,” he grinned, “I heard that he might be looking for a Common teacher and a job.”

“Oh,” I called, my hands fluttering with excitement. “You could teach him some Common?”

Rok was looking between us with suspicion.

“Yes, of course. Orcs are aces at language. It’s how we adapt so well when other species die off,” Rudgar said with a proud smirk and I rolled my eyes as he continued. “Although there’s a shortcut I have one of my guys looking into. If we can get that, we won’t have to be worried about any more lessons.”

“Thank you!” I cried, grabbing my purse and hurrying to the door. Rok had an expression of sheer panic on his face, his hands out to block me, but I slipped under his arm and sidled past Rudgar. “Bye, Rok,” I sent a kiss his way and hurried out the door. “I’ll call you once I get there, Rud.”

Rudgar grunted, and I knew he was holding Rok back from hurrying after me.

“Well, look who it is,” Jun called, his red-feathered arms crossed over his thin chest. “The troublemaker.”

I had an apologetic smile already prepared on my face when I’d seen security swarming all over the front of the library. Afterstepping onto the floor where I would be working, I couldn’t believe there were so many people there.

“Becca,” Gideon called from next to Jun, a worried look on his face as he strode over to me. He shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when the orc came out of the book—”

“An orc thatshesummoned,” Jun squawked, moving closer as well.

Gideon waved him off. “Be that as it may,” he said, rolling his eyes at me so I could see that he was frustrated with the male, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you.”

“Oh,” I said, giving him my best, most reassuring smile. “I was totally fine.”

Gideon’s brow was furrowed. “Totally fine?”

I nodded, looking around at where all types of beings were hurrying around. “Yes. I’m safe. Can I ask what’s going on?”

“They’re looking for clues as to where thatbrutewent,” Jun huffed. “You can’t imagine that they’d just let him stay here, finding more kinnaras to accost.” The last words were said with a gentle stroke to his rear end where I could see thatdozensof his feathers had been plucked.

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