Page 112 of Bound to the Orc King

“How about big potato pancakes cooked until they have a crispy crust, but the middle’s still soft?” I say.

“Got it.” She pulls away and gestures.

Several large potato pancakes wink into existence on the witches’ table. The sprites and pixies descend on them en masse. While my group eats in place, the other tiny fae make coordinated teams and fly the food off behind the heart trees, the sprites heading right, the pixies left. The female pixie leader flies above her flock, making hand gestures and whistling instructions like a conductor leading an orchestra.

The leader of my troupe notices, pausing in his eating with a chunk of potato poised in front of his too-large mouth as his eyes track the flight of the others. Then he tosses the food in, where it disappears, chopped up by too-large teeth. When his people have eaten, he launches into the air and gives us a courtly little bow. “Thank you, Pizza and Almost Pizza.”

Then he flies close and clings to a lock of my hair so he can whisper in my ear. “You have proven yourself a true friend of the pixies, and I offer you my name. It is Blue.” He pulls a glowing blue flower fromsomewhereand holds it out to me. “If you ever need our help again, ring this, and we will come.”

“Thank you.” I cup the flower in my palm.

He flies off, following the route of the other pixies.

“It’s a great honor to be given one of their magical bluebells,” Olivia says. “You should keep it safe.”

Aldronn calls for someone to bring me a small wooden box. When a kid runs up with one, my husband takes time to thank him, and the little boy skips away with a huge smile on his face. Aldronn places the bluebell in the tiny box, slides the cover closed, and slips it into my pocket as I thank him.

“May, over here!” Naomi pats the bench beside her.

Aldronn and I take our seats, and Dravarr stands. “You know I hate making speeches, so I’ll keep this short.”

“Thank goodness,” his brother Rovann calls out.

Everyone laughs.

Dravarr mock scowls, but can’t hold it, his lips twitching. “We gather this evening to welcome our newest members to Moon Blade Village, Queen May and King Aldronn.”

The green erupts into clapping and cheers, the orcs stomping the ground as well.

Emotion wells in my chest, tightening my throat. I thought this evening was going to be about the quest and what I did for their goddess, but instead it’s to welcome Aldronn and me as neighbors, which is even more special.

My husband half rises and waves a hand in greeting. “Here in the village, it’s just Aldronn, please.”

“Same for me!” I call out. “I’m just May.”

Another round of clapping, and he smiles, looking so handsome, my heart skips.

“You need to do that more,” I murmur.

“What?”

“Smile.” I bump him with my shoulder. “You can be too grumpy.”

“That was pre-May Aldronn,” he says. “I have you now, and I know you’ll give me several reasons to smile every day.”

Wranth pours us ale, and Olivia makes pizzas for everyone. A two-foot tall brownie named Tumbletoad delivers plates full of chocolate brownies, which all the witches dive for as soon as they appear.

I grab one of my own, biting into the treat with a moan. “Oh, my god, Tumbletoad! This is the best brownie I’ve ever tasted.” I hate to think it since my Mom’s had been my favorite before this. But the bashful, pleased grin the little fae gives me makes me glad I told him.

When the food’s gone, the kids of the village come over and beg Grace to give them a ride on the Whirling Swings, and the pixies come back out and join them, several clinging to each child as they fly around and around in a chorus of shrieked laughter and whistles.

“Even with the sluagh gone, I’m never getting rid of that contraption, am I?” Dravarr grumps.

“Nope.” Ashley pulls his hand to her stomach. “And this little one is going to love it.”

His expression immediately softens, his hand cupping her abdomen as if she’s the most precious thing in the world.

I share a look with Aldronn, my telepathy flaring to life.“We’ll have that.”

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