Page 27

Chapter 27

Eleri

I woke during the night to complete silence. No drumming of rain on the roof, and no wind gusting against the shutters barring our windows, trying to find a way in. The storm was over. With a grin, I snuggled into my husband’s side. He murmured something, kissing the top of my head as his arms wrapped around me. I drifted back to sleep.

When I woke again, morning sunlight streamed in through the window on my left. Odik must’ve gotten up sometime and removed the shutters.

“We made it,” I said. Reaching out, I found Odik gone. But the smell of food cooking and his low whistled tune tugged me from our bed and down the hall—with a quick stop in the bathroom and to tug on a nightie. I entered our tiny kitchen where he prepared breakfast at the stove. He continued whistling the same song he’d sang last night, shifting his hips along with the tune.

“Have a seat, lovely one,” he called over his shoulder, adding a grin. “I’m going to serve you a meal unlike any other.”

“It smells wonderful.” I dropped into the chair, smiling at how my feet dangled. Everything in the house was orc-sized, which meant it was much too big for me. I felt a bit like I lived in a doll’s house, though no dollhouse ever held Odik. He told me he was going to make me some smaller furniture, and I loved that he’d do that for me.

“Tea,” he said, lowering a mug in front of me. “I collect the herbs on the island, and this is my special blend.”

“I didn’t know you were a tea connoisseur.” Lifting the cup, I closed my eyes and took a sniff. “I smell hints of vanilla.”

“I pick the beans, preserve them, and grate some into the mix.”

“And aspest berries.”

“Good catch. They also grow on the island. I dry them and add a few to each pot.”

“And . . . weelen leaves?”

“Yes, that’s the main leaf in the mix.”

I took a sip, moaning at how delicious it tasted. “It’s perfect.”

“I was hoping you’d like it. I made a big pot, and we can share it while we enjoy our breakfast.” He placed a heaping plate in front of me, the other on the opposite side of the table. Sitting, he waved his eating implement my way. “I might’ve overcooked.”

“We worked up an appetite.”

His smile joined in with mine. “That we did.”

“What’s on the agenda today?” I asked as I bit into the thick slice of bread he’d toasted and covered with mellabar jam. My belly roared its approval.

“Lots of clean-up. I want to check on everyone first, however.”

“Why don’t I stay here and start collecting brush and whatever else the storm has left behind? You can travel faster without me.”

“Alright.” He ate a slice of brugel meat, and I did the same, savoring the crispy, salty treat. “I should only need the morning. That’s where it pays to make sure everyone’s ready for a tempest. Madine will need the most help. She’s the oldest—and savviest—person on the island. I’ll clean up her yard, and if I know her, she’ll invite me for lunch, so don’t wait for me for that. I should be back by mid-afternoon.”

“If I run out of things to do around the house, I’ll go down to the beach and collect driftwood. I’ll stack it near the cliffs like you suggested.”

“Don’t go close to the water. The sea’s often turbulent for a while after a storm and an unexpected wave could grab you.”

I nodded and placed a piece of brugel meat between a folded slice of toast, making a small sandwich.

I couldn’t finish my meal, but when I shoved the plate closer to Odik, he had no problem cleaning my plate after doing the same with his own. At nearly twice my size, he needed more food than me.

“I wonder how the garden fared,” I said. “I’ll check on that too.”

“At least it’s been watered.”

“I’ll cover the barrels to keep out bugs.”

“Thank you.” He took my hand across the table and squeezed it. “You’re amazing, mate. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“Same, Odik. Same.”

“In a few days, once the sea has calmed, let’s go to the city. We can pick up sewing supplies and fabric for you, and you can sew till your heart’s content.”

“That would be wonderful. Thanks.”

“While we’re there, we’ll have lunch. There are nice restaurants in the city.”

“Are there any on the island?”

“Not any longer. The chef who ran one left over a year ago. She runs a new establishment in the city now, and we can stop by to introduce you.” His smile held a hint of sadness. “I keep hoping I can talk her into returning to the island, but at this point, there’d be almost no customers. I don’t blame her for leaving. I don’t blame anyone , for that matter.”

“We’ll find a way to bring people here, even if we have to kidnap them to show them the beauty of this way of life.”

He chuckled. “No kidnapping allowed. But I love that you enjoy it here as much as me.”

“It’s our home, and it always will be. We’ll raise our orclings here.” When his eyes lit up, I laughed. “I don’t know if I’m pregnant yet, but it’s not for a lack of trying.”

“There’s nothing I’d love more than to see you holding our child.”

The love in his voice gutted me. “I can’t wait.”

“May the fates bless us.”

* * *

After he left, I went outside and tackled the downed branches, dragging them into a pile near the shed where he stored our wood for winter beneath the overhang. The sticks and branches would make great kindling. It didn’t get horribly cold in this part of the world, but we were far from shore. I was sure the dampness set into your bones and made you shiver. A fire would be welcome, and I’d noted the small stove in the living area. We could sit on the sofa and enjoy it.

Maybe while snuggling our child.

“That’s far in the future and only if the fates gift us,” I said to myself as I dragged another branch over to the growing pile.

I was lifting the last branch when someone came up behind me. Thinking Odik had forgotten something, I turned.

My smile fell immediately. “Drabass.”

“Eleri.” His grin came out more like a leer.

“Odik’s in the house. Let me get him for you.”

“I saw him on the path leading to the village. Nice of you to offer, however.” He stepped closer to me. “I don’t believe we need him, do we?”

I spun and bolted for the house, but he leaped and dragged us both to the ground, rolling until I was beneath him.

When he tried to kiss me, I snapped my head to the side, smacking his shoulders.

He growled and pinned my hands over my head. I shrieked and grabbed a nearby rock, smacking him with it.

He was wrenched off me.

Odik snarled and punched Drabass in the nose. Green blood gushed, and Drabass howled, cupping his face.

I scrambled to my feet and backed away, holding the rock so tight in my hand, it made my fingers sting.

Odik’s punch in Drabass’s belly was followed by him slamming his clenched fists down on top of Drabass’s head. The orc slumped to the ground and didn’t move.

I dropped the rock and it thudded on the ground beside my foot.

Odik rushed over to me and lifted me gently. “Are you alright?”

“I am. He . . . He just got here.”

“I’m glad I decided to turn back. I forgot to bring more fish for Madine.”

I didn’t want to think about what might’ve happened if he hadn’t returned. Would he have stopped if I hit him hard enough with the rock? I would’ve tried.

“I’ll take you inside.”

I clung to his shoulders. “I can stay here.”

“I’d feel better if you were locked inside the house.”

“But I can’t stay there forever. It’s no better than hiding behind the fortress walls back at the village.” And I’d already seen nowhere was safe. “I want to keep working.”

He cupped my face and stared into my eyes. “You’re sure?”

“I am.” My voice might tremble, but my will did not.

“I need to take care of Drabass.”

My breath caught. “What will you do with him?”

“What all orcs do with someone who harms a female.” His grim gaze met mine. “All you need to know is that he won’t bother you again.”

“Will you send him to the city?”

“We can’t take the chance he’ll do this to someone else.”

I had no sympathy for Drabass, but this sounded like a harsh punishment.

If I was going to fit in with this life, I had to accept orc ways. Odik was right. It would be better if I didn’t ask any more questions.

“You’re sure?” he asked.

I looked around at all that needed to be done and stiffened my spine, nodding.

He left, returning half an hour later. “I took him to his father and explained. Crickin will handle it now.”

“What will he do?”

His gaze met mine. “You don’t want to know.”

Drabass didn’t deserve my sympathy, so I grunted.

“Come with me into town,” Orik said, taking my hands and squeezing them.

I wanted to cling so much, but I also wanted to stand strong. “There’s a lot left to do still, and I’m going to keep working.”

If I was going to be an orc’s mate, that also meant I needed to bravely face whatever this life handed me. Not being accosted by one of the orcs but doing my share as the caedos’s wife.

“I’ll stay here and finish.”

“I feel bad that it happened.”

“You didn’t do it. You saved me, Odik.”

He tugged me into his arms. “I’ll always be here for you, mate.”

We sat together for a bit before he left, telling me to lock the door and remain inside.

I couldn’t do it. My life was here, and I was going to grab onto it fully. So I faced my fear and went back outside.

Once I’d finished cleaning up the yard, I walked through the woods to the garden, finding the plants flatter than I’d like but still green. The rain would serve them well; the ground was very parched before the storm.

My hands no longer shook, and I was proud of myself for facing this head on, of making something good come from what was almost a shitty day.

I picked vegetables and brought them to the house, then went back out to cover all the full rain barrels. I also re-mulched the garden to hold the moisture.

After, I sat in the kitchen and ate, surprised I had an appetite after what happened. Hard work and sunshine would do that to you.

That and knowing Odik would always be here for me.

I put everything away and washed the dishes I’d neglected after breakfast. Then I went out to look down over the rail.

“Tons of driftwood.” The beach was littered with it, dry gray bones from long-dead trees.

I drank a glass of water and took the stairs to the beach, proud of all I’d accomplished so far. Odik was going to be pleased when he returned to our tidy home and saw there wasn’t anything left for him to do.

Throughout the afternoon, I collected driftwood, piling it near the cliff.

“Where did you come from?” I asked one of the pieces. “And how far did you travel?” For all I knew, it had made its way to the island from the mainland. Or maybe from one of the other uninhabited islands.

Finished, I surveyed the wood I’d stacked in big piles. We had enough for many fires on the shore. Perhaps we could cook fish on the flames one night. On sticks? I wasn’t sure how it might be done. I’d only had fish a few times while living in the village. It was much too rare and costly for someone like me.

I was wiping my hands on my skirt when something glinting at the point drew my attention. Assuming it must be a shiny rock or piece of random metal like the other refuse I’d collected in a separate pile near the driftwood, I strode in that direction.

Just like I’d thought. I lifted the hunk of metal, wondering where it might’ve come from. The mainland for sure, or perhaps a ship lost at sea if anyone plied ships in this area.

Turning to head back with the plan of scaling the stairs and getting cleaned up before Odik returned, I frowned. I stopped and stared toward the small, recessed area I’d remarked on the other day.

The surge of water had washed away at the cliff, scooping sand and rocks out of the depression. In fact, from where I stood, it looked like there was a cave there now.

“Huh,” I mumbled, walking toward it, passing the pool where I’d started to learn to swim.

When I reached the area, my eyes widened.

The storm had changed things. Now, it was a cave, and it went in farther than I could see.

I’d find Odik and tell him.

We could return together later and explore it.