Page 40 of The Demon of the Wood

Melina nodded, the pain of the day easing a bit from the female’s company. When she finished eating, she was bone tired from all the walking, but she made a fire and sat up by it, sewing away. The dress was almost complete. Lights from the city burned in the windows she could see from her loft, and she watched them curiously as she stitched. She wished Kaemon was next to her, seeing all this, so they could experience it together.

twenty-one

Kaemon

Kaemonwasdeterminedtostay away and gain some distance from Melina, so no one would link them together. He thought it best for her as well, letting her rest and not feel any attachment to him. It had torn him apart to leave her in Orc Haven, and he could see it had done the same to her. He told himself he shouldn’t go back at all. That he should fly to another town to get supplies and never speak to her again.

That lasted two weeks.

He paced and paced in front of the cabin, his mind wild with wondering how she was, desperate to see her face again. He groaned. His body, his nature, his heart, all wanted him to secure the mate bond with her, even as his mind rebelled against it. Being his mate was the absolute worst thing for her now. He stopped pacing and shot into the air, telling himself he would keep his distance and just ask Aife how she was.

Upon landing, he stalked to the market, his mind so bent on thoughts of her, the bond driving him mad with a need to see she was safe, that he barely saw anything as he passed by. He walked into the bustling tavern, full of patrons for dinner.

Melina carried a tray of food and walked to a table full of orc males. Kaemon stood stupidly in the doorway, staring. She wore a beautiful dress, the one she had been working on, with an apron over it, and her hair piled on her head in an elegant bun. The males all flirted with her, and she laughed, shaking her head.

His nature roared in indignation at it, but he just stood there, dumbstruck by her presence. He should turn and leave. She was thriving here. He should have brought her here to begin with. It had been his own selfish loneliness that made him keep her at the cabin. This was what he’d needed to see, the proof that she was better off without him.

She turned and saw him, letting out a little cry of “Oh!” and almost dropped her tray. Patrons turned, and since it would make no difference to hide it now anyway, he strode to her.

“You’re here,” she said with an adoration that made his throat tight and blood hum.

“I’m here.”

They stared for a long moment until they heard a loud cough and startled to see Aife grinning. “Kaemon, come sit and eat. Melina needs to serve that food before it cools.”

Kaemon followed Aife to the bar, glancing back at Melina and seeing her smiling softly at him, then turning and hastily serving the customers. Jorah gave him a pint of beer and Aife brought him bread while his meal cooked. He settled in, his body calmer than it had been in the last fortnight.

He kept stealing glances at her, often catching her looking at him as she worked. He nodded in her direction when Aife came up with his food. “She seems to be doing well.”

“She is. She’s also gained customers to make clothing items for and a few others lined up.” Aife smiled. “She misses you terribly, though.”

Aife’s shrewd eyes bored into him, drawing out every thought he’d ever had. “I’ve missed her, too. But it seems for the best.”

“Can’t she have both? Her freedom while thriving here and you?”

He took a long drink of his beer, holding off answering. “I don’t see how. She will never be safe with me.”

Aife waved her hand. “She will be here. You know the Hunters won’t try their hand on anyone in Orc Haven.”

Kaemon didn’t know that, though. He remembered too well his family being attacked; him being dragged away, and seeing his parents and his sister bleeding out. They had been on a peacekeeping mission at the capitol, amongst allies. Kaemon was certain Melina could never be truly safe with him, not unless he went back home. And even then, he wasn’t certain he knew how to navigate that. Did his family want him? That didn’t seem likely. Without their protection, he was better off alone, in the forest with the woods as his companion, the river his friend.

Kaemon ran his errands while Melina finished up her shift at the tavern. When he returned, Aife told him to go to the loft. He did, standing on the landing, hand poised to knock, his heart racing. Maybe he should leave, go back, not bother her. He thought of her face when she’d seen him, and he rapped on the door.

He heard hasty shuffling, then the door flung open. Melina wrapped her arms around him tightly and he returned the gesture, walking in with her still clinging to him. Gods, it felt amazing to hold her, to be near her again. She led him to the couch by the fireplace, one that looked out over the city with its torch lights and lanterns bright against the inky blackness of night, the candles in home windows like fallen stars. It reminded him of the Darkened City, and he felt a pang of nostalgia.

He tugged on the sleeve of her dress. “This is beautiful.”

She beamed, twirling in front of him to show it off. He noticed she had new boots as well and a thick ribbon in her hair. “A female in the market saw me wearing it and when I told her I made it myself, she asked if she could pay me to make one. I’m almost done with it. We had the last fitting for it earlier today.”

She walked to a trunk in the corner and took it out. It was a fine dress of emerald green, the short, puffed sleeves just like her own that fell jauntily off her shoulder, the bust ruffled above the line of her floral bustier. The emerald dress was much larger than hers, clearly made for an orc female or another of that size.

“It’s excellent, Melina. You’re doing so well here.”

A stab radiated through his chest. He was so happy for her, so glad he’d had the self-control to bring her here. He hated missing so much of her life now. She carried herself with more confidence. He supposed from spending so much time with others, learning that not every being wanted to harm her. She came back over and sat next to him, their knees touching, and he clenched his fist at his side to restrain himself from kissing her, taking her to her bed and showing her how much he’d missed her.

He cleared his throat. “Silenus came by the other day. He’s sad you’re no longer in the woods.”

She laughed. “Tell him I miss him, too.” She placed her hand over his. “I’ve missed you the most, though. Every day. It doesn’t feel right to sit here by the fire without you.”

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