Page 7 of One Night with Her Grumpy Orc

“Elsa’s library! Get it?”

“You need a life,” Koru grumbles at him.

“I have one. August likes my jokes,” Bjorn huffs as he heads outside to get more supplies. Koru just rolls his eyes. I head out into the bright sun to help Bjorn. It takes all my self-control not to carry Betty wherever I go, never letting her out of my sight. But since we woke up this morning to the sound of the Sheriff shouting and banging to get inside, Betty splayed against me, nice and warm. She hasn’t made eye contact with me.

Her scent is all over me; I never want to change clothes. My brothers haven’t said anything yet, so I’m hoping they chalk it up to the idea of huddling for warmth. They don’t need to know anything else.

Sheriff Draugr’s red skin shines against the snowy backdrop as he asks Betty if she is able to drive. We nail another plywood sheet across the wall missing the window. My ears perk at her name on his demonic lips. My nostrils flare when his red hand rests on her shoulder. She shakes her head no and gives half a smile at him. “I need to stay until the library is secure.” Her voice quavers. Emotion? Cold? Maybe both.

“I’m sure these guys can handle it,” he jerks a thumb over at us. I nod. Bjorn whips a hammer around like it’s a sword.

“This isn’t playtime,” I snap at him. All I get in response is a shrug. Bjorn takes forever. I want to be next to Betty, keeping her warm, comforting her, scaring Sheriff Draugr Busybody away from her. He looks way too close and cozy. Not a brilliant look for a demon.

I’m not sure what else she says, but “my job,” is part of it. Though it isn’t my place, my chest puffs with pride at Betty and her strength.

“Grev, do you think this accident counts as mass bookstruction?” Bjorn laughs at his own joke. Koru and I shake our heads and keep pounding nails to get the plywood in place. The difference is instantaneous—once the plywood covers the missing window and wall completely, the wind no longer whipping snow through the space—it’s quiet and less cold. Relief ripples through me. I hear her pleased sigh—just like the one last night.

Betty appears at my side, shivering enough that I can tell through her layers of sweaters and coat and hat. Instinctively, I put an arm around her, pull her softness into me, and gaze down into her dazzling green eyes. She stiffens for a beat, eyes darting back and forth to see if anyone is watching. They’re not, and with a sigh, she relaxes into me. The weight of her against me is the best feeling in the world.

“Th-thank y-you,” her teeth chatter as she struggles to get the words out. Setting down the hammer in my hand, I wrap my other arm around her into a big hug to warm her up.

“I didn’t realize you were so cold.” She looks up at me again, that same confused expression on her face from earlier.

“It’s not your responsibility,” she says, waving a mittened hand in the air dismissively.

Before I can argue her statement, Sheriff Draugr hustles over, big stupid smile on his red horned face. She stiffens and pulls away from me. A slight movement, but I feel it just the same—she doesn’t want the sheriff to see us. “Betty! I’ve got the power company on the way to restore power. And I got a message to the library superintendent. These orc boys have everything under control. Jake should be here any minute to take you home so you can warm up and rest.”

Sheriff Draugr puts his hand on her arm, a friendly gesture; a familiar one. It takes all my self-control not to punch his ugly, smiling face. Betty’s spine straightens even more as she pushes her glasses up her adorable nose.

“You called Jake?” Her voice is even, like when she asks if you’ve enjoyed the book you’ve checked out and are now returning to the library. But there’s a twinge of something there—panic. The sheriff must sense it, too, because our eyes meet for a flash. He pastes his sheriffy smile back on his face.

“I know he’s the closest thing you have to family here on the island. He’s been waiting rather impatiently for me to call him and give him the okay.” As if saying Jake’s name has conjured him into being, another police officer stumbles through the rubble, concern written all over his face.

Betty’s lips thin and pale, her eyebrows crease. The same studious expression she gets when she’s solving a book problem. But this isn’t a book. Her scent has changed, not quite panic. The Sheriff walks toward Jake to fill him in. Betty turns to me, one hand gently on my chest, eyes soft, almost sad, and she whispers, “I’m sorry.”

Turns her back to me and walks toward her...what? Friend? Not-family?

So many people, all working to help Betty, but they’re preventing us from talking. Koru walks up to speak to Betty while Jake hugs her, then inspects her for injuries. She waves him off while answering Koru. My body trembles. I want to rip him away from her, throw him against the broken wall. But I realize those actions will only land me in jail.

“A week? Well, that will have to be okay, won’t it? Extended due dates for all!” She laughs, but there isn’t any mirth. This is Betty’s pride and joy. Every inch of me wants to scoop her up and promise her it will be okay, but Jake is there, arm over her shoulder, escorting her out through the rubble hole to the outside world.

She doesn’t turn back to me.

I guess last night was a one-time thing—survival and necessity.

Except I’m not a one-time-type-of-orc. Not when that’s my fated mate walking out the door.

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