Page 20 of Promised To the Orc
“Not that. How did you know about the wedding?”
“The banner, sire.” He gestures to the end of the street where a banner has been erected announcing the marriage of Prince Tor to the human swordsmith. “A crier is spreading the news, telling all the clans to come join the festivities. A wedding and the Great Feast! What an honor, Prince Tor!”
Alta looks at me in disbelief. “He’s not going to forget about it.”
Giving her a reassuring squeeze, I pay the vendor for a length of ribbon and place it in Alta’s palm. “You can wear this one. It doesn’t matter who sees.”
I hoped to make her smile, but she didn’t. We continue down the street and I realize people are looking at us, not just because Alta is human, but because she’s also to be my wife. We browse a few more stalls and I buy some meat pies for later, and a jar of fermented cider. She’s on edge and it’s time to leave.
“Let’s go somewhere you might enjoy more. There is someone I’d like you to meet.”
We fall into a comfortable silence as we leave the market and head outside of the village. The first mountain range isn’t far from the palace. A deep grove of trees creates a divide between the village in the mountains and it’s my favorite place in all this land. Clouds gather overhead and the sky darkens. A rumble of thunder burst through the air as we enter the forest. A few minutes later, the slight patter of rain hitting the leaves follows us down the path that leads to my hut.
She runs her fingers along the trees and leaves, stops to look at flowers and picks up various objects from the forest floor as we go. Her expression is lighter, and she’s almost smiling by the time we reach my hut.
“Who lives here?” She pulls up short.
“Me.”
“I thought you lived in the palace?”
“I do when I’m needed there. Otherwise, I’m here.”
Opening the door, I turn on the lights and move aside to welcome her in. She stays outside.
“You said you wanted me to meet someone. Who?”
“She’ll only come if I offer her meat pie. I bought three. One for you, one for me, and one for her.”
Beckoning her inside, my heart flutters with joy as she comes in and softly closes the door behind her. The furnishings inside my hut are sparse. Two chairs, a table, and a large bed in the bedroom. There’s nothing unnecessary in the space and I prefer it that way.
Rain pounds on the roof. Kneeling before the fireplace, I make quick work of bringing a flame to life and feed it with wood from the small stack by the hearth. Alta watches me with her arms crossed. The flame reflects in her eyes, the same color as her hair. She steps closer and turns her palms towards the warmth. I add more wood.
“Stay here. I’ll see if she’s around.”
Alta leans over to watch me leave the room as I enter the back kitchen and open the large window facing the base of the mountain. I crack a meat pie open and set it on the sill. Whistling twice, I step back to wait. Ultimate moves next to me, watching curiously.
“What are you waiting for? What is it?”
“Nothing that will harm you, I promise. She’s a friend.”
The soft rustle of wings cutting through the air sounds from the distance. It gets closer and closer. Alta steps back and moves behind the table. A small, fluffy body alights on the windowsill, tucks her wings, and makes a delighted squeak to find a meat pie waiting.
“What is that?”
“Lilygrin. She’s a dessin. Haven’t you seen one before?”
Alta shakes her head.
Lilygrin is a ball of fluff with four furry paws, a long tail, and a flat, round head. Two pointy ears have black tips, and black fur over her face makes her appear to be wearing a mask. Bright blue eyes shine with intelligence, and somehow, her stubby wings carry her round body in flight.
“She won’t harm you, Alta. Come. She’s soft, and she likes to be petted.”
Proving my point, I lightly stroke the dessin until a happy purring sound rumbles from her throat. She eats her pie with relish. Pieces of her meal fling around and she tries to snap them from the air. Alta moves slowly to my side, her arms crossed, while eyeing the animal cautiously.
“My father drew the image of an Earth cat once. But they don’t have wings.”
Taking her hand, I urge her to reach out and pet Lilygrin.
