Page 18 of Charming the Troll's Heart

I doubt you can get me home if it’s as far as we think it is,she says, leaning into me.But it’s sweet that you want to try.

I just hold her like that while she sniffles and wipes her face. Eventually I say,Maybe it’s not that outrageous. Maybe we can figure out where Yusala is. If they brought you here, we can get you back.

I don’t see my own optimism reflected in her eyes. She’s given up hope of returning home, just like I have. But I chose this for myself. She’s surrendering.

I only want to get out of this alive, she says.Then maybe we can figure that part out.

Right. We are at the bottom of a pyramid, hoping hunters won’t find us and kill us and then maybe eat us. But at this moment, I don’t want to let her go.

Who are we running from?Rimi asks.Who were those guys after us? They weren’t the same two we left behind.

They’re hunters, I answer.Wild trolls. You saw that glow in their eyes?She nods.They’re mad. I don’t know what causes it, but those hunters we saw are the worst of them.

I think of those bright purple eyes, and my gaze is drawn to the worms tunneling their way through the stone at the center of the room.

They definitely wanted to kill us.Rimi tilts her head up at me.Thank you for saving me. Twice now.

I had no choice, I say.I can’t let anything happen to you.I lean down and breathe in her hair. I like the scent of her—it’s tangy and sweet, like one of those pieces of jeruba fruit. At my words, I feel her relax into my chest, and she brings up one hand to my collar. It feels so good and so intimate that my heart stops beating for a moment.

I want her to touch me even more. And that is, of course, when I start to get hard. It’s not obvious at first under my tight breeches, but as Rimi strokes her hand up and down, it grows more and more prominent. I cough a little, trying to distract her, but it’s too late.

Oh,is all she says when she notices the significant lump in my pants.

Sorry. It just... For some reason this, um, happens a lot around you. I turn my head, rubbing a hand down my face in humiliation.

It’s okay, she says.It’s a nice compliment.

She thinks it’s a compliment? That she makes me get thick and warm and swollen for her?

But you’re a human, I say. I don’t know why I’m reminding her. I would much rather not argue with her about how much she appreciates my boner.

So? You’re not unattractive.Rimi arches an eyebrow at me.And clearly I’m not, either.

Her forwardness doesn’t surprise me. Even though we couldn’t communicate before, I still feel that I know who she is.

Not bad at all,I agree.I like looking at you. I mean... I tried not to, though, that other time.

Her face turns red remembering our little bath in the river.Right. You did try. I appreciate that.

Suddenly, she yawns, and I’m pleased that she feels secure enough under my arm to be tired after we’ve been chased and almost murdered.

Do you want to sleep for a while?I ask her.I’ll keep watch for the hunters. We should hear them coming if they decide to pursue us down here.

Please, she says, yawning again.I’m so exhausted. Even though you were the one doing most of the hard work.

I grin down at her, and flex my arm.No problem. I’m a strong troll.

You are.She starts to drift to one side.

You shouldn’t sleep like that,I say, tightening my grip on her.I’ve got you. All right?

She gives me an inquisitive look. I gently pick her up by her hips and slide her over my thigh so she’s in my lap. Rimi lets out a squeak as her butt slides across my cock, and I try to will it to go down. Then I slip an arm under her neck to hold her up.

Just lie back and go to sleep,I say, supporting her in my lap with her legs hanging off my thighs. Without question, she does as she’s told, drifting into the space between my elbow and my chest. I pull her closer to make it more comfortable, and she turns her face into me as she relaxes.

Thank you, Lo’zar, she says, her voice fading already.

You’re welcome, Rimi.

---