Page 57 of Orc's Mate

She nodded pertly. “What were you up to while you were gone?”

“I cleaned up Madine’s yard, stacking the wood near her shed like you did here. There wasn’t as much in the center of the island where she lives, but she was grateful for the help.”

“Let’s have her over at our place soon. We can bring her down to the beach and build a big fire with the driftwood I collected. We’ll cook fish and listen to the waves.”

One of my favorite things to do. “That’s a great idea. I doubt Madine gets to the beach often. I can carry her down and back, and I bet if we asked, she’ll tell us stories about those who lived here long ago while we sit by the fire after our meal.”

“Tales of your past. That would be amazing.”

“We can learn so much from those who came before us.” I tapped my temple. “And Madine remembers them all.”

“Who’ll learn the stories from her to carry them forward?”

“I’ve done what I can to memorize some, but it’s one of many tasks I feel I can’t complete as well as I’d like.” It made me sad to think some stories would be lost when she passed, but hopefully, if I could lure people to the island, one of them would sit and listen to her tales until they knew them by heart. Then, the tales would continue on as they should.

“I found something exciting,” Eleri said, taking my hand and urging me down the stairs. She led me across the beach, and I marveled at what she’d gotten done. All I’d accomplished was stacking some wood, eating with Madine, and pretty much begging my clansmales not to leave the island. They reluctantly said they’d wait two days before giving me their final answer, but they’d continued packing. The sea was too rough for them to travel—for now.

“What is it?” I asked, as she led me across the beach to the point. “Is the swimming hole still there?”

She frowned at me. “It’s surrounded by rock. I doubt even the strongest storm could destroy it.”

“We can swim tomorrow if you’d like.”

She nodded. “Let’s. But for today . . .”

We walked around the point and toward the pool.

“Look.” She stopped; her arm lifted.

I stared toward the cliff. “Wow.”

“The storm must’ve eaten into the cliff. I wonder if there was a cave there long ago, and maybe a different tempest filled it in with sand and rock.”

I squeezed her hand. “Did you go inside?”

“I wanted to do that with you.” She grinned but a tiny shiver shot through her. “There could be beasts hiding inside.”

She wasn’t far off with her suggestion. The dresalods wouldn’t leave the water as long as it churned, but within days, we’d have to watch for their next attack. Since they hated the sun, they rarely attacked during the day and only then when the water was calm. One good thing about tempests.

For now, we were safe on the beach. One day, we’d have to find a permanent solution to them, but I couldn’t imagine what that might be.

We walked closer to the cave.

“Should I wait out here?” she asked.

I scanned the sea but saw nothing of concern.

“Come with me,” I said. “I doubt there’s anything to be worried about inside the cave, and we can explore it together.”

“Maybe there’s a long-lost treasure inside.”

I grinned and tugged her against my side as we walked in that direction. “I doubt it. I’m sure you’re about to be disappointed.”

“If it’s nothing but a shallow cave, we’ll return to our home.” She shot me a sultry look. “I missed you today. We need to make up for the time we were apart.”

I loved that she craved me as much as I did her. As with all true matings like ours, it would only get better as we aged.

It was dark inside the cave, so dark, we stumbled over something lying across the sandy floor.

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