Page 35 of Orc's Mate

“You don’t like kissing?”

I’d enjoyed his kiss even if it had been brief. “Perhaps we need to do it a few more times before I decide.”

He grinned. “I’ll be glad to accommodate you, mate.”

My smile joined with his, and once again, I was grateful I’d taken the other woman’s place in the hunt.

No one believed something good could come from the hunt, but they were wrong. The fates had given me the best life had to offer and it was Odik. Already, I was falling for this solemn, kind male, and I could easily love him. He was like the warmth of a snuggly blanket.

And the heat I’d find beneath it.

I gestured to my haul from the garden, and he nodded, his gaze full of pride when he looked back at me.

I loved feeling needed.

“You’ve been busy,” he said, speaking around another bite. “I appreciate the help.”

Being a good mate to him mattered a lot to me. He appeared to carry all the clan’s burdens, and I wanted him to know he could share them with me. Life here wouldn’t be easy, that was clear already, but if we shared the work, surely we could find joy in what we did because we’d be together.

I told him what I’d done in the garden and mentioned the pile of wood.

“It can stay where it is. I’ll make sure the ties I fixed to the ground a year or so ago are secure, but we don’t need to carry any of it into the shed.”

“Look around in the morning to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”

He nodded.

“I’m going fishing and then for a swim,” he announced after he’d swallowed his last bite. Rising, he took his plate to the sink and carefully washed it.

“Fishing in the dark?” Let alone swimming. I’d splashed along the shore of the river but only during daylight hours.

“The fish come close to shore at night to feed. With a hook and some bait, I can bring in a good catch.” Turning, he leaned against the counter. “We’ll clean them and store them in the cool box, so we have plenty to eat during the storm. I’ll try to catch enough for those who can’t fish.”

“I’ve cleaned many fish,” I said. “Zur was a good hunter and fisherman. He sold most of it, and we used that income, plus mine from my work as a seamstress, to buy or barter for everything else we needed. As I said, I made all our clothing.”

“There’s a need for a seamstress here. We purchase our clothing in the city.”

“Maybe once things are settled, I can open a small shop.” That would benefit us both and the community.

“Or you could set up a shop in the city.”

“And travel there each day?” I wondered how that would work.

“Zarran could take us. Or . . .” He looked down at his boots. “We could stay there most of the time.”

Was he shoving me out the door already? No, he couldn’t be. He seemed to be happy having me here with him. Perhaps he meant we’d remain in the city together.

“Are you thinking of leaving the island?” I asked carefully.

“I love it here. It’s been my clan’s home for many generations, longer than anyone can remember, but each time a few leave, then a few more, it makes it harder for the rest of us to survive.” When he lifted his gaze, a profound sadness filled his eyes.

My chest ached in sympathy. “What would you do if we lived in the city?”

“I could sign with the army. My friend Jaus is the commander of the entire fleet.”

“Army.” I pondered what that could mean. “I assume they defend the city.”

“Yes,” he said grimly. “From both shaydes and the dresalods.”

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