Page 156 of Valpar

His smile was wide, and it looked like it hurt the way his lips stretched over his two very large teeth.

“There is my little fairy.”

“Is it supposed to stand up like that?” Orgamo said from a distance. Like she got struck by lightning?

My eyes widened, and I put my hand on top of my head to feel my hair standing up. “Goddess, what happened?”

Valpar leaned his head back and laughed, then carried me to the refreshing pool. He sat me down and cupped the water in his hands. “It will calm down. I have oils in my bag.”

“A-are you sure?” I pulled my hair down to look at it, but it was all frizzy and not soft and smooth like it was before.

Valpar continued to chuckle as he leaned my head into the pool, washing it and doing his best not to get my body wet. He dragged his bag over, pulling out glass vials that held hair oils and brushed my hair.

It didn’t take long. He worked fast, and soon he had my hair braided in one long section, then put it over my shoulder. “Wewill leave it like this and let the oils work. Soon, it will be healthy and strong. Now we must hurry and return.”

Valpar stood and packed his things as I turned to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Thank you,” I said, rubbing my face into his chest. His arms wrapped around me, his cheek resting on my head. “Neither of you had to come all this way to do this—”

“It was our pleasure. You are family, part of the clan and tribe,” Orgamo said, holding onto his walking stick.

Vapar lifted my chin with his claw and petted my cheek with the other. “I know you didn’t need it, but I will do everything in my power to give you everything that you want, to make you happy. If that means turning your hair pink just to make you smile, I will cross mountains to make it so.”

I smiled and pressed a kiss to his chest. “Yes, it really made me smile. I will always find ways to make you smile, too.”

Valpar lifted me up and perched me on his arm. “As long as you listen to my rules, you will make me smile.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know you like it when I break them, though. Keeps you on your toes and then we get to play. Wink, wink.” I closed my left eye obviously several times.

Valpar’s face turned a deeper green and I swear I might’ve seen some pink on those cheeks.

Orgamo’s lips lifted into a smirk. “Hmm, maybe there is hope for the both of you.”

Chapter Fifty-One

Azuk

Rolling to my side,a soft groan escaped my lips as a familiar musk wafted through the air, instantly tickling my nose. It was a delicate scent, feminine and one that I had nearly convinced myself was Lash. With each night’s slumber, its presence lingered, almost feeling too real. I could taste it on the tip of my tongue, its sweetness danced in my mouth and when it disappeared I would be left with loneliness.

Lash had infiltrated my dreams more frequently while I’ve been staying with Valpar and Calliope. They no longer neededme, yet both of them included me in their daily lives. More so my little daughter, than my son—but that was because he wanted all of his female’s attention.

I longed for mine, and I could taste her. Every morning and night, between sleep and awake, she talked to me, telling me we would meet again soon. I longed for that day, and I waited anxiously until she would take me.

Instead of feeling the pain in my aching muscles and bones, I feel relaxed. Strange, but it could be the random teas that my little daughter has been making, trying to cure my ailments.

One time it did not fare well, and my stomach was tied up in knots for days.

I heard the flap of my tent open, and I groaned, my hand slapping on my face. “Little daughter, this old male needs to sleep. I am not young any longer. Go play with the whisps.” I shooed her away, but the musk that normally faded by now became stronger.

I took in deep breaths, trying to breathe it in.

The bed dipped and I grumbled a curse.

The sultry voice, deeper than Calliope’s, murmured, “There’s my sleepy male.” My eyes snapped open and were met with the captivating sight of a stunning orc female. Her long, flowing locks cascaded in a dark wave, while her beautiful yellow eyes held my gaze. No trace of exhaustion lingered below her vibrant green skin radiating health. A stark contrast to the worn-out Lash I last saw before she left me for the stars.

Am I dreaming?

Then, in a flash, I felt her delicate hand glide up my chest, sending a surge of electricity through me. As a bolt of lightning struck a tree, I jolted upright. There was no hint of pain in my bones, no lingering ache in my back. But those physical sensations paled compared to the overwhelming presence of my Lash sitting there before me. I could feel the warmth from herbody on me. The touch of her velvety skin against mine sent me into a frenzy of emotions.

She laughed softly at my reaction, a musical sound that filled the tent and made my drums pound inside me. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light, reflecting thefeelings swirling within me. I had missed her, and I had been so jealous that Zarfu got to her before I could.

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