Page 53 of Orc's Mate

“Good catch. They also grow on the island. I dry them and add a few to each pot.”

“And . . . weelen leaves?”

“Yes, that’s the main leaf in the mix.”

I took a sip, moaning at how delicious it tasted. “It’s perfect.”

“I was hoping you’d like it. I made a big pot, and we can share it while we enjoy our breakfast.” He placed a heaping plate in front of me, the other on the opposite side of the table. Sitting, he waved his eating implement my way. “I might’ve overcooked.”

“We worked up an appetite.”

His smile joined in with mine. “That we did.”

“What’s on the agenda today?” I asked as I bit into the thick slice of bread he’d toasted and covered with mellabar jam. My belly roared its approval.

“Lots of clean-up. I want to check on everyone first, however.”

“Why don’t I stay here and start collecting brush and whatever else the storm has left behind? You can travel faster without me.”

“Alright.” He ate a slice of brugel meat, and I did the same, savoring the crispy, salty treat. “I should only need the morning. That’s where it pays to make sure everyone’s ready for a tempest. Madine will need the most help. She’s the oldest—and savviest—person on the island. I’ll clean up her yard, and if I know her, she’ll invite me for lunch, so don’t wait for me for that. I should be back by mid-afternoon.”

“If I run out of things to do around the house, I’ll go down to the beach and collect driftwood. I’ll stack it near the cliffs like you suggested.”

“Don’t go close to the water. The sea’s often turbulent for a while after a storm and an unexpected wave could grab you.”

I nodded and placed a piece of brugel meat between a folded slice of toast, making a small sandwich.

I couldn’t finish my meal, but when I shoved the plate closer to Odik, he had no problem cleaning my plate after doing the same with his own. At nearly twice my size, he needed more food than me.

“I wonder how the garden fared,” I said. “I’ll check on that too.”

“At least it’s been watered.”

“I’ll cover the barrels to keep out bugs.”

“Thank you.” He took my hand across the table and squeezed it. “You’re amazing, mate. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“Same, Odik. Same.”

“In a few days, once the sea has calmed, let’s go to the city. We can pick up sewing supplies and fabric for you, and you can sew till your heart’s content.”

“That would be wonderful. Thanks.”

“While we’re there, we’ll have lunch. There are nice restaurants in the city.”

“Are there any on the island?”

“Not any longer. The chef who ran one left over a year ago. She runs a new establishment in the city now, and we can stop by to introduce you.” His smile held a hint of sadness. “I keep hoping I can talk her into returning to the island, but at this point, there’d be almost no customers. I don’t blame her for leaving. I don’t blameanyone, for that matter.”

“We’ll find a way to bring people here, even if we have to kidnap them to show them the beauty of this way of life.”

He chuckled. “No kidnapping allowed. But I love that you enjoy it here as much as me.”

“It’s our home, and it always will be. We’ll raise our orclings here.” When his eyes lit up, I laughed. “I don’t know if I’m pregnant yet, but it’s not for a lack of trying.”

“There’s nothing I’d love more than to see you holding our child.”

The love in his voice gutted me. “I can’t wait.”

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