Page 15 of Kiss for My Kraken
“Your mate?” She blinked again, comparing the small woman to the towering orc, and Elara grinned.
“I know. He’s ridiculously large, but he’s very sweet.”
She bit her lip. Sweet wasn’t a word she would have used to describe the big orc. Posy rolled her eyes.
“Grondar isn’t sweet, Elara. In fact, I don’t think any orcs could be called sweet—and I say that as someone who is also mated to one. Possessive? Yes. Growly? Also yes. Sweet? No.”
“You left out hot,” Elara teased and Posy laughed.
“I can’t argue with that.”
“You forgot to mention that they’re big all over,” a familiar voice added, and Nina turned to find Flora at her elbow, dressed in a red and white striped tracksuit that made her look like a tiny barber pole. “There are very Others with larger co-”
“Flora!” Posy interrupted.
“What? It’s true,” Flora said with an innocent shrug.
Elara giggled, and Posy looked resigned. “I can’t argue with that either,” she admitted, then turned to Nina. “Is this your first visit to Fairhaven Falls?”
She nodded.
“Are you planning on staying long?”
“If possible.” She hesitated, wondering how much to reveal, but something about these women made her feel comfortable. “I… didn’t have the best childhood. I’ve been looking for a place where I can belong, where I can feel safe.”
“This is the place,” Elara and Posy said in unison, then grinned at each other.
“And it’s definitely possible, isn’t it Gladys?” Flora said cheerfully, turning to the woman who had accompanied her. A pleasant middle-aged woman with a witch’s hat at a jaunty angle on her silver curls, Gladys studied Nina for a moment with surprisingly sharp blue eyes.
“I think you’re right again, Flora,” the witch said finally.
“Of course I am. Which is why you should listen to me about?—”
“Look at the time,” Gladys said quickly. “We’re supposed to meet the rest of the coven soon.”
Flora rolled her eyes, but turned to follow the other woman out of the shop. Then she stopped to look back over her shoulder at Nina.
“Tell him he doesn’t need to be afraid.”
Then she was gone, leaving Nina staring after her. Did Flora know about her river prince?
“I recognize that look,” Elara said cheerfully. “Don’t ask me how, but Flora knows everything there is to know about the people in this town.”
“And isn’t afraid to say so,” Posy added dryly. “But she means well.”
“I have to run, but come by Java Joy when you have time. It’s the bakery and coffee shop Grondar and I own.” Elara picked up a tissue-wrapped package and winked at her. “But not this afternoon. I have little surprise for Grondar and I suspect we’ll be closing early.”
“Do you carry lingerie?” Nina asked as the door closed behind the other woman, then blushed. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
Posy grinned at her. “I do carry lingerie, as a matter of fact, but Elara purchased an apron. Don’t ask,” she added when Nina’s mouth dropped open. “Are you interested in lingerie? I have some very pretty vintage silk items, as well as some modern reproductions.”
“No, I’m not—that is, I don’t have anyone to wear it for,” she said, feeling her cheeks growing even warmer.
“If you say so.” Posy shot her a penetrating look but didn’t add anything as she started wrapping Nina’s purchases.
A sudden pang of longing swept through her at the thought of wearing something pretty and silky for her river prince, although she did her best to dismiss it. The Chosen considered such garments sinful, but even though she no longer believed them,she didn’t have the money to indulge.And I’m not even sure he really exists..
“Come back anytime,” Posy said as she handed Nina her carefully wrapped packages. “And welcome to Fairhaven Falls.”
