Page 31 of Orc's Mate

And when I pictured that child, it had Odik’s strong jawline and green skin.

I was getting ahead of myself. We had a ways to go before anything like that might happen, but I was going to relax and savor each moment that might bring us in that direction.

He led me along an overgrown walkway lined with wildflowers, and I couldn’t stop grinning.

Looking down at me, he frowned. “It looks horrible. I should’ve done something with it.”

“I don’t mind weeding.” Already, my mind was coming up with ideas. I’d noticed sand along the shore at the base of the cliff as we passed over it. If I could bring some up here, I could reset the stones in the walk. It would be easy to pull the grass and leave the flowers behind. “It’s going to look pretty when I’m done with it.”

He grunted, his frown remaining.

Swinging open the door, he gestured for me to enter ahead of him. “As I said, it’s not much.”

It was a home.Myhome.

I stopped inside the entry area and my grin didn’t falter when I took in the small kitchen on the right with a window overlooking the sea. On the left, a living area held chairs that were too large for me but looked soft, and a small hallway stretched beyond. A double set of windows in the living area looked out at the cute meadow where Zarran had landed.

“My mother insisted on a washroom, so you’ll find that down the hall, as well as three bedrooms. There’s a pump there as well as in the kitchen, but the water comes from the sea, so it’s as salty as everything else.”

“Threebedrooms?”

“My mother hoped for many orclings. Unfortunately, they only had me.”

“I’m sorry. You must miss her.”

“More than anything.”

He was so sad; I didn’t need to push myself to hug him. His arms splayed out as if he was surprised by the gesture, but I had a lot of affection to give. When I hugged him, Zur would pat my shoulder. He told me once he wasn’t much of a hugger, but he’d never received one until me. Because I sensed he was uncomfortable, I gave hugs sparingly. Due to the villagers scorning me, I’d starved emotionally. I could only hope Odik was more like me.

His arms went around me, and I pressed myself against him harder. So far, so good.

Curling forward, he kissed the top of my head. “You’re spoiling me.”

“With affection?” I grinned at him. “You’re spoiling me with this lovely home.”

“It’s not lovely,” he protested. “Truly. You haven’t seen its flaws yet, but you will.”

I stepped away from him and limped into the kitchen, where I twirled around, my arms lifting. “It’s pretty and perfect and it’s going to look even better.” I’d put wildflowers in a jar on the wooden table. And make curtains for the windows. Pillows for the sofa, and I could make patch quilts with the scraps for all the beds.

Odik just stared at me, his jaw slightly unhinged.

He must’ve thought I was out of my mind, but truly, I was just happy.

“Show me the bedrooms,” I said eagerly.

I followed him down the hall, poking my head into the washroom and gushing when I saw the tub.

“Salt water,” he said again. “Remember. And it’s cold except in summer.”

I wasn’t sure how it was pumped to this level, but I was going to find out.

“I can still take a bath inside my very own washroom,” I cried. “I can heat the salt water and it’ll feel wonderful. No bugs and no ice to break on the surface like the river back at the village.”

His brow ridge lifted, and he moved past the small room and down the hall, pointing to the two smaller bedrooms and the big one taking up the end.

A huge bed had been placed in the center of the last, and it was covered in thick blankets. Two windows, one on each side, looked toward the sea and the meadow. And a tall bureau stood along one wall with enough drawers for both of us.

“My room.” He coughed. “Yours now too.”

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