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“Actions matter more than words. Keep showing up. Keep proving you're there, no matter what.”

“Showing up where?” This sounded complicated.

“It means being there for them, not only when they’re in trouble but sometimes just to sit beside them and listen. Or say nothing at all, sharing space. There’s something honest and comforting about silence. It can speak louder than words.”

I could be quiet. Unless my mouth got ahead of my mind, which happened when I was inside the tent.

This made sense, though. But was it enough? Surely there was more, something solid I could do. I needed action, not vague things like showing her I care or sitting beside her and saying absolutely nothing. “What else? Like, should I challenge them to a sword fight?”

Pete stared. Carol choked on a laugh.

“You're joking, right?” Pete asked carefully.

My ears overheated. “No.” I curled my fingers aroundmy knees. “An orc proves his worth in battle. If I fight them and win, they would know I was strong enough to protect them. That’s how it works in the orc kingdom.”

Carol's eyes widened. “Do orcs battle women as well as other men to prove their worth in mating rituals?”

“Of course. Orc females are quite fierce. Many males lose.”

“Then how do they prove they can protect her?”

I shrugged. “I guess they don’t have to if she has just proven she can protect herself.”

Carol grinned, nudging Pete with her elbow. “See? Not all women need someone to defend them. Many women can defend themselves.”

So it was like this for humans too? That was good to know. If only I’d brought swords, but I’d never suspected I might need to challenge Beth to a battle. She wouldn’t be able to fight until her arm had healed, but when we got back?—

I cut off the thought. When we got back, she might say she was ready to leave. The thought made my shoulders sag.

Pete scratched his jaw. “Okay,” he said slowly, like he was processing his words. “The thing is, humans don’t usually decide relationships in battle. Actually, I don’t think they ever do.” His lips twitched. “Carol, if I’d come at you with a sword, would you have seen that as attractive?”

She smirked. “What kind of sword are we talking about?”

I sensed there was a hidden meaning in her words, but I couldn’t figure out what it might be.

“Steel,” I offered. “We use steel swords. They’re stronger than other metals.”

“I do enjoy a steel sword.” Her face had darkened, and she wiggled her brows at Pete whenever he looked her way.

I had a feeling I wasn’t learning proper courtship rituals yet. “I know human customs are different. This person is too small to battle with a sword.” I’d leave out her injury for now. “That’s why I need your help.” My voice dropped, roughened with the feelings I could barely restrain. “I long for this person. I think about them constantly. But I don't know how to tell them. Or if I should. What if I ruin everything? What if they don't feel the same?”

Pete’s gaze softened. “Romance is always about risk. And knowing is better than wondering forever.”

My chest tightened. It would be worse if Beth outright told me she didn’t want to have anything to do with me. How could anyone see that as better?

Carol leaned forward. “You want to win someone's heart? It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about understanding what makes them feel valued. Then proving you see them for who they are and all they want to be.”

“I see.”

She ticked ideas off on her fingers. “Do small, personal things. Bring them something they love. Pay attention to their favorite activities, food, and drinks,and remember them. Like…Pete loves a good whiskey, so when I booked our trip here, I made sure you stocked what he enjoyed.” She nodded to the bottle on the ground nearby. “If this person likes only cream in their coffee, well, you get it for them in the morning before they even realize they want it. It’s sweet when Pete does that for me. It shows he cares. He doesn’t need to tell me he loves me if he does things like that. You can also find ways to share their interests, even if it’s something you’d never do otherwise.”

I listened, every part of me focused, trying to think of ways I could apply these suggestions. The ground beneath me might as well be shifting. Nothing I'd prepared for seemed to matter here. If this was a battle, I was entering it with my eyes covered and completely unarmed. I hated not knowing what moves to make. Feeling uncertain. But for Beth? I would learn. I’d make mistakes, I’d stumble, but I could not walk away.

“And most importantly,” she said. “Make them laugh. If you can make someone smile, really smile, then you're already winning a place in their heart. Think of things you can do for them that’ll make them happy. I wasn’t always super-confident, but Pete did things that boosted that. I mean, he didn’t do things for me. He showed me how to do something then stood back and let me do it for myself. When I was successful, I felt better and that built me up and made me feel confident.”

“That easy, huh?” I asked.

Her smile bloomed. “That easy.”