Page 89 of Tusks, Tails & Teacakes
Even without him touching her, Lira could feel the heat of his body. Instead of scooting away to give herself, or him, space, she leaned into him. “I’m glad you found me.”
His usual stiffness drained from his body, as he curled an arm around her shoulders. “And I’m glad you didn’t find your book and leave that first night.”
She tipped her head up. “You heard that?”
Korl grunted in response.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to stay in Wayside, but at that point, I was so used to moving on, it was more of a habit than a plan.”
“You don’t need to move on anymore?”
She didn’t need to think to answer that. “No. I’m home.” She pulled away so she could look him square in the eyes. “But it’s not only because thiswasmy home. I want to stay because Wayside has become mytruehome because of you and your dads and Sass and Iris and Val and Pip and Fenni and Tin and everyone who’s become a part of my life since I returned. I’ve learned firsthand that a tavern is nothing but a building without the people who fill it and the warmth that’s shared. And Wayside would be just another speck on the map without all the amazing people who live here.”
Korl nodded then cocked his head. “You won’t miss the adventure?”
“Trust me, tonight was up there in regards to adventure, and it was a good reminder that I’m fine without it.”
“Even now that you have powers?”
Lira glanced at her hands, unsure exactly what kind of powers she did possess. Had they been activated because she was so desperate to save her friends, because she was so livid with Malek, or had she finally grown into them? She shrugged. “I guess it’s nice to know they’re there, but they don’t change what I want.”
Korl was quiet for a moment. “And what do you want?”
Lira’s pulse quickened. “I want to stay in Wayside and keep baking, keep making the tavern into something special.”
He made a sound that was half hum and half growl.
“If we’re sharing desires, what do you want?”
He was quiet for so long, Lira wondered if he’d heard the question, although there was no chance he hadn’t.
“I think I want you to have another reason to stay,” he finally blurted, the words tripping over themselves. “I want to give you another reason to stay.”
Lira turned to meet his gaze, her heart stuttering at the heat in his dark eyes.
“It’s not easy for me to talk to people, but I can talk to you. Iwantto talk to you. You make me feel safe, and only my dads and Val have ever made me feel that way before.” He took a breath. “I want to make you feel safe. I want to keep you safe.”
The intensity of his words made Lira’s breath catch in her throat. She pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the beat of his heart fluttering like a trapped bird. “You do make me feel safe. You came after me tonight. You risked your own life to save me.”
He nodded, his gaze going to her lips. He cupped her face in one hand and brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “I will always come after you.”
“Then that’s definitely another reason for me to stay,” Lira whispered.
“I’d like to spend the rest of my days giving you more reasons,” he husked, as he lowered his mouth to hers.
As Korl’s lips brushed across hers, Lira’s body hummed with pleasure, her skin tingling and her hands sparking with heat.
She’d never expected the orc to be so gentle, or that his touch could set her body on fire like it did. When he pulled away, she curled one hand around the back of his neck and tugged his lips back to hers.
The handsome orc was the right blend of warmth, spice, and sweetness. Just like the perfect cup of chai.
Fifty-Five
It had beenimpossible to keep word of what had happened in the tavern cellar secret, especially when a dark mage was dragged out and carried to the castle dungeons in the middle of the Night Faire. But only those who’d been in the cellar knew about the book or that Lira had elvish powers, and they’d all sworn to take those secrets to their graves.
Lira hadn’t tried to use her powers again, but she’d noticed that her hands now fizzed with faint sparks when Korl touched her or even when she was humming with happiness in the kitchen.
The dramatic events had done nothing to dampen enthusiasm for the tavern, and some might have said having a dark magecross its threshold had increased its appeal. Whatever the reason, The Tusk & Tail was busier than it had ever been in the days following.
