Page 13 of The Orc Chief’s Baker (Orc Mates Of Faeda #4)

Chapter

Eight

brOVDIR

F ades help him. She was a beauty.

The vanilla scent of her was tinged with something warm and sweet. It wafted across the open space and curled in his nose like a vice, yanking him toward her unbidden. He knew he was moving too fast, the storming of his feet was too hard, but he couldn’t stop himself.

And the woman’s expression didn’t flicker at his rapid approach. In fact, she seemed eager. An actual smile played at her lips.

When was the last time a woman had smiled at him?

Had one ever done so?

He was nearly at her cart when a man loudly proclaimed to his left. A human man with beady eyes, a scruffy chin, and a table of milk-based goods that smelled nearly sour.

“What are you doing?”

Brovdir paused, examining the human male. His muscles tensed under the scrutiny of the man’s gaze. What did it look like he was doing?

“Hermest, he’s obviously here to trade. As they all are. I suggest you calm your nerves, or do you want to be on bad terms with these males?”

Fades breath, her voice was lovely. His eyes slid back to the woman, with her soft, round body and crossed arms. Her eyes were shooting daggers at the man who had spoken, and they were far sharper than any one of Brovdir’s claws.

“An apology for Hermest. He’s not so bad, just stubborn and opinionated.” She shot the human a harsh look as she said this and he bowed his head, appearing almost sheepish. The other men who had started to walk over also turned away.

Such power wielded with such ease.

“Here.” She waved him over with one hand and picked up a round ball of dough with another. It was a little larger than her fist and was so soft it gave slightly around her fingertips.

Brovdir would have snatched it and gobbled down the offering in an instant had Trinia not leaned over the table just so.

Her breasts were pushed up and together and threatened to burst from her bodice.

Her neck elongated as she tipped her head and her curly dark hair fell down to drape over her cleavage.

Were they as soft as the food she was offering him? Maybe if he was quick, he could touch and no one would notice.

Save Trinia, of course.

“Trinia.”

His woman snapped to attention and looked toward the woman who’d called her.

The blonde woman who approached was younger and had somewhat pointed features. She glanced between him and the woman, eyes lingering on his bare chest.

“Trinia, I’ve come to help with your table,” the woman said, eyes still on him but not in a malicious or antagonistic way like the man’s had been. This young woman was more curious than anything.

“I don’t really need any help, Ulia,” his woman said with a light frown marring her perfect features. “But thank you.”

“Who’s your friend?” the blonde asked and Trinia’s scowl deepened.

“He’s an orc I’m going to trade with.”

“But you’ve met him before? How? When?” The girl was almost bouncing with eager interest.

“We can talk about that later.”

Yes, after I am done with her. Will I ever be done with her?

“I want you to talk about it now,” said Hermest, who was back to listening in. His beady eyes were narrowed into a suspicious squint and his fists were balled.

Brovdir rose an eyebrow in amusement. The male was about as threatening as a mace made of wool.

“Go back to your trading, Hermest.”

“How come you knew about the warriors, but we didn’t until this morning? Have you been keeping secrets?”

“No,” Trinia said flatly.

“Then explain how you know him?”

Trinia crossed her arms over her chest and it pushed up her breasts delightfully. He needed to look away. Look away! “I’ve told Headman Gerald everything already. He’s the only one who needs details on this matter.”

“I think you’ve got a duty to your community as well. You should be telling us if there’s a band of dangerous?—”

“Hermest.” Trinia’s cold tone made Brovdir’s spine straighten. “Do you think Headman Gerald would be pleased to hear you speak this way?”

The man shut his mouth so quick it all but disappeared off his face. Apparently, keeping the peace was very important to the villagers.

Such an oddity.

“I don’t owe you an explanation for anything, Hermest, but I will tell you this, the warrior orc standing before you saved my life yesterday. For that, he has earned my respect and trust. I will not allow you to insult him without cause.”

Brovdir’s eyes were so wide he could feel the morning chill on them.

Was she defending him? Truly? He felt weightless.

“How about we take this somewhere more private?”

The question Trinia asked was directed at Brovdir specifically. She met his eyes with a quiet determination that warmed his chest and made a smile curl at his lips.

She took his smile as agreement. “Good, I just need to grab something from my cart.” She hurried over to the wooden hand cart packed with every kind of delicious looking bread one could fathom. There were things he didn’t even recognize. Items that smelled so divine it was unreal.

“Oh, and here.”

She approached so rapidly he had no chance to back off. She reached for him and gentle fingers clasped around his hand, bringing it palm up.

She plopped the round ball of bread into his hand. The weight of it surprised him. He’d thought it would be light as a feather with how soft it was. His fingers melted into its perfectly tan surface.

“Go ahead and eat. Let me know if you like it.” She turned away and suddenly it felt like every being at this trade was looking at him, watching him.

He wasn’t going to let that stop him. He brought the bread to his lips. It smelled so sweet it made his mouth water. He unhinged his jaw a little so he could pop the whole fist-sized bread roll into his mouth.

The flavor exploded on his tongue. The bread itself was light and fluffy like a cloud and melted with barely any chewing. And the center had been filled with some sort of thick sweet milk. His tastebuds danced with delight at this new experience.

He hadn’t realized he’d closed his eyes to relish it until he opened them and found that the young woman manning Trinia’s table was staring at him, aghast. A few other humans were also regarding him with wide eyes and nervous expressions.

Blast it, he’d forgotten that the Rove Wood orcs hid their teeth from the humans.

There was no going back now. He finished chewing and swallowed quickly, too unnerved by their abject discomfort to even lick his lips.

Trinia came about then, a woven basket over her arm. She blinked at him. “Did you eat it already?”

He nodded slowly, still relishing the taste even as some of the male humans at a nearby table began to whisper and point at him. One of them was the male who’d confronted him.

Trinia didn’t notice and went back to her table, picking up two more of the dough balls. “I’ll be right back, Ulia. Will you watch my cart while I’m gone?”

The blonde girl nodded. She was the only one near who didn’t seem completely aghast by his teeth. “Good luck.”

Trinia shot her a quizzical look, but didn’t take the time to question her. Instead, she turned and gestured into the woods. “Shall we?”

He nodded eagerly.

He’d follow her anywhere.