Page 42 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas

“If you’re going to fuck, can you at least muffle him, Graal? Cas screams like a banshee,” Jasper said.

“You’re just jealous that you don’t have someone to fuck.” Cas flew towards the bedroom.

Jasper didn’t speak immediately. “Well, you aren’t wrong.” Jasper and everyone laughed.

Graal entered the bedroom. Shaking his head, Cas closed the door. He lit the lantern. Then he faced Graal, his smile dropping.

“Graal, what’s wrong? I can tell something is wrong.”

CHAPTER 26

“Nothing’s wrong.” Graal went to the window.

Cas didn’t speak for several seconds. “You’ve just seemed a little off today.”

Graal touched his fingers to the icy glass.

“Is it something I said? Or something my family did? I know we can be a lot, and I know they—well, me—can get carried away with Christmas.” Cas laughed nervously. “So if?—”

“You were all wonderful.” Graal dropped his hand.

Cas didn’t speak for a second. “Then what?”

“It’s a lot for me.” Graal took a deep breath. “I’ve never celebrated Christmas before. And then you and your family include me in decorating, drinking hot chocolate, eating Christmas cookies, and singing carols.” Graal’s chest tightened. “It feels like that sort of stuff shouldn’t happen to me.”

Cas flew towards him. “Why not?”

Graal stared at the glass, his ugly face reflected back. He dropped his gaze, unable to stare at himself a moment longer. “My upbringing wasn’t good. I told you my father isan orc whom I’ve never met. So I lived with my mother and her husband, Jordan.”

Graal swallowed. “Honestly, I’m not sure why they didn’t dump me on the steps of a foundling home. They clearly didn’t want me.”

Cas sucked in a breath.

“Jordan despised me. He liked to get creative mixing up the insults, tusk-faced savage, green-skinned bastard, ugly half-blood monster.”

Cas gasped. His hand touched Graal’s shoulder and squeezed.

Graal turned to face Cas. “I remember Christmas. The other kids in the street talked of it. They were so excited. So I asked my mother about it.”

“And?”

Graal shrugged. “No Christmas tree. No presents. Not for me. On Christmas Day, she wasn’t even home. She’d spend the day with Jordan and his family. So I just stayed home alone doing chores. Sometimes there wasn’t even any food.”

“Why didn’t they bring you?” Cas asked.

Graal shook his head. “I never met any of Jordan’s family. They never visited. And I’m pretty sure they told everyone I was just a servant.”

“Your mother too?” Cas asked in shock.

Graal’s throat tightened painfully. “She didn’t care about me.” His tone came out harsh.

Cas made a noise. He wrapped his arms around Graal’s stomach. He gazed up into Graal’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Eyes stinging, Graal blinked, trying to get his emotions under control. “Don’t be sorry. Not you, Cas. Not when you’ve given me so much. You’re so kind and caring. No one has ever shown me any affection until you. And you included me in your family’s Christmas festivities.”

Graal gave a tight smile. “I got to experience it all becauseof you.” Graal cupped Cas’s cheek. “So thank you.” Graal stroked Cas’s skin and pressed a kiss to his pale hair. “Thank you for being so wonderful.”

Cas hugged him tightly. “What happened with your mother?”