Page 5 of Obeying the Orc
“Apologies for almost knocking you over, Miss…”
“Missus,” said a severe looking elderly human woman who immediately joined us. “Mrs.Oakbees, though the poor thing was widowed several months ago. AndIam Mrs. Angus Foxthorne. I must say, I don’t believe I’ve made your acquaintance yet, sir. You don’t look like the typical miner who travels through these parts.” She openly scrutinized my outfit, which consisted of dusty black trousers, fine leather boots, and a relatively clean white tunic.
“I’m Knot Thazurok, and I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.” I took turns shaking each woman’s hand, but firmed my grip when I shook Mrs. Oakbees’s hand and found it difficult to let go. As our eyes remained locked, an unmistakable spark of attraction ignited between us, a zing of pleasure that traveled up my inner thighs and caused my pants to become tight. When Mrs. Oakbee’s lips parted on a faint gasp and her pretty eyes widened, I knew she felt it too, and I couldn’t help but notice her nipples had grown taut within the confines of her bodice.
“Well, Mr. Thazurok, that explains why I’ve never met you before,” the elderly woman said with a judgmental sneer. “You’ve been too busy chasing your fortune in the mountains rather than tending to your gods-destined flock. Perhaps a certainestablishmentacross the street wouldn’t have males pouring in and out at all hours of the day if proper temple services were held weekly and the townsfolk were reprimanded for their waywardness. Have you seen the temple the town built? What about the rectory? A right shame it stands empty.”
The old woman’s scolding made the tips of my pointed ears burn, and I reluctantly released Mrs. Oakbee’s hand. I had half a mind to tell Mrs. Foxthorne of my intention to visit The Sweet Siren Tavern later today. But a glance at the younger female caused me to swallow the retort that hovered on my lips. While I might have no qualms about scandalizing the older woman, I had no wish to make the auburn-haired female uncomfortable.
“Mrs. Foxthorne, it’s not very gods-blessed of you to judge this male, especially since you don’t know him.” The young female’s cheeks reddened as she spoke to her older companion. Clearly, Mrs. Oakbees was mortified by Mrs. Foxthorne’s little speech.
“Thank you for your kind words, Mrs. Oakbees.”
“Please, call me Natalee. I insist.”
Natalee. A lovely name for a lovely female. After a moment, I realized I was staring at her like a lovestruck fool. Was I drooling? Gods, I hoped not.
“Well then, Natalee, I insist you call me Knot,” I finally said.
She blushed again, more deeply this time. Then she glanced at the lower half of my face and a contemplative look came over her. Tusks, I realized. She was likely wondering why I didn’t possess tusks.
“I’m only half-orc. My father was a full-blooded orc, and my mother was half-fae, half-human. My brothers were born with tusks, but alas, I was not.” I placed a hand upon my heart and sighed in an overly dramatic fashion, as though I mourned the loss of something I’d never had. A second later, I displayed a lopsided grin.
Natalee’s eyes widened and she appeared embarrassed. She stammered for a moment, then said, “I-I didn’t mean to stare. Forgive me.”
I grinned, revealing my sharp fae-teeth. “You may stare at me all you like, Natalee.”
Mrs. Foxthorne made a choking noise in her throat and tugged on Natalee’s arm. “We’d best leave the former priest to go about his business.”
After exchanging a quick goodbye, during which Mrs. Foxthorne shot me a scornful and suspicious look, I began to make my way out of the mercantile.
But my curiosity about the pretty female slowed my steps.
I turned and peered at her from over a rack of canned goods. Natalee stood alone, her elderly companion having wandered off. When she smiled warmly at me, my heart stuttered, and all the air left my chest.
What would it be like to hold her hand? To kiss her?
I found myself entertaining the sort of romantic thoughts I hadn’t experienced since I’d met Emalise all those years ago.
My feet carried me to the other side of the aisle. Natalee held my gaze with a sweet questioning look. My pulse quickened.Say something. My throat went dry, and I swallowed hard. A quick glance toward the counter showed Mrs. Foxthorne was speaking with the owner of the mercantile.
“Did you forget something, Knot?” Natalee asked, her voice soft and musical. Soothing. There was something about her that calmed my restless spirit.
Gods help me, she had the most beautiful soulful eyes. I couldn’t look away. I could hardly breathe. “Natalee,” I eventually said, “I was hoping you would do me the honor of joining me for a picnic lunch tomorrow.”
Her face lit up. “I would be delighted, Knot.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you at noon, then? How about near the bridge, on the bank overlooking Winding Dragon River?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
We exchanged one last goodbye, then I finally walked outside, though my steps felt heavy, as if walking away from her pained me somehow. Once I was outside, the sun warmed my face as I strolled down the street. Excitement swirled within me, as well as confusion.
Had I really just asked a young female to spend time with me?
Well, I couldn’t help myself. Those eyes of hers… Gods above, I could have stood in the mercantile and stared at her all day and basked in her sweet presence.
I reminded myself that I wasn’t looking for a wife, and then I felt guilty for the false hope I might be bringing Natalee. What if the pretty female was searching for a husband? She was widowed and still quite young.
