Page 14 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas

“Well, you have to come! Tonight! You have to!” Cas’s voice sounded too loud to his own ears.

Graal shook his head. “I don’t think so. Not my sort of thing. And I don’t really have anyone to go with.”

Cas jumped on the opportunity. “Come to the stall! I’ll take a break, and we can wander around together. I can show you everything I love about the markets! You’ll see how wonderful it all is.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Graal said.

“I want to do it!” Cas reached out and gripped Graal’s hand. “Please! I could use a distraction. It will be so much fun.” It would get his mind off Xavi, and Cas would introduce Graal to the wonder of the Christmas markets. It sounded like a perfect distraction.

And if he and the orc could have some fun times, it would be perfect.

Graal stared at Cas’s hand resting on his. “All right.”

Cas squeezed Graal’s hands. “You won’t regret it! We’ll have fun. I promise.” Cas leaned even closer.

I’m being too intense.

Cas pulled back and dropped Graal’s hand. He was acting unhinged.

“I’ll see you tonight, then,” Cas said. “And we’ll have a great time together!”

CHAPTER 8

The smell of freshly baked bread lingered in the air, mixing with roasted chestnuts, warm sugar, mulled wine, and hot chocolate.

“I’m the Christmas pixie,” Cas said over and over as he served the stream of those wanting Christmas treats and freshly baked bread straight from the oven. The customers laughed and stared at him in wonder as he showed off his sparkly gold outfit.

All around, the markets glistened in the light of the candles and magicked globes. The Christmas trees stood tall and proud towering over them, decorated with tinsel, baubles, and lights. The various stalls selling wares, food, and drinks glowed with warmth.

A crowd of visitors moved amongst the stalls, chatting, yelling, and laughing as they got lost in the festivities.

But the joy didn’t reach Cas as it normally would.

Today he didn’t revel in the holiday spirit even as he worked right in the middle of the Christmas markets. Even the compliments didn’t cheer him up like they normally would.

Still, Cas grinned and laughed and served. But in the back of his mind, he kept seeing Xavi walking past the bakery with the dryad.

How serious are the two? Does Xavi love the dryad? And what does the dryad have that I don’t?

Cas tried to shove the questions aside as several children approached the stall. “Hello, little ones. I’m the Christmas pixie.” He flapped his wings. “I’ll be serving you tonight. What can I get you?”

They giggled as Cas packaged up the treats they asked for. He slipped in a few extra chocolate and peppermint truffles, and they walked away buzzing with happiness.

Cas should be buzzing with happiness too. He usually did at the markets. In fact, it was the excitement of the season that usually meant he didn’t mind working such long days. Often, he volunteered to work longer hours because he loved Christmas so much. But no matter how he tried, he just felt deflated and like he wanted to curl up in bed until spring.

Why doesn’t Xavi love me? I gave him everything I had. Why wasn’t it enough?

Cas swallowed, trying to get a hold of himself. He was the fucking Christmas pixie, and he was in his fucking element. He loved Christmas! Every year, he looked forward to it. He just had to remember that.

And he’d been so doing well until he saw Xavi. He’d been able to focus on Christmas. Maybe he hadn’t been exactly happy. But he’d been doing okay. Now he couldn’t muster the holiday spirit that he so desperately needed.

A tall, broad figure moved towards their stall. His black hair and flashes of green skin were visible over the crowd.

Graal.

Cas could focus on Graal. On this meet-up. Which could also be seen as kind of a date. Not one that would lead to a relationship. Cas wasn’t ready for that. Not with his feelingsfor Xavi like an open wound, still raw, bleeding, and possibly becoming infected.

But he and Graal would spend some time together. He could help Graal see how wonderful Christmas could be, and perhaps it would cheer himself up. And maybe, if Graal was also interested, they could have some sexy, fun times together. That would be a good distraction and would help him get over the cheating incubus he still pathetically loved.