Page 25 of The Orc’s Sweetheart (Creatures & Cottages)

Chapter 25

Bodin

O nce the generator is installed and Ren has confirmed everything is working, I head to the door, ready to return to Tilly. The sight of her in the center of the clearing, perched on my cart as she patiently waits for me, makes my breath catch in my throat.

Tilly looks like a dream come to life as she swings her leg back and forth, the peels of a tangerine stacked neatly next to her, and her hair swept into a ponytail to put her marked neck on proud display.

I’m so in love with her that I might just propose right here, right now. And the funny thing is, I think she might even say yes. Am I really moving in with her tonight? Not sleeping with her in my arms is certainly not an option anymore, and having fresh clothes to change into would be a good idea. But to make love all night, to wake up with her warm cunt wrapped around my cock…

“Uhm, Bodin,” Ren says from somewhere behind me, waking me from my reverie.

“Yeah?” I angle my head toward him to show I’m listening, but I’m unable to take my eyes off Tilly.

The cringe becomes more apparent in Ren’s tone as he says, “I know you and Tilly are in love and stuff, but the vibes you’re giving off are really intense right now.”

Wide-eyed, I turn to him. “Oh, fuck. Sorry. But also not really that sorry. Does that make it a half sorry? I mean, look at her.” I gesture to my female in her lilac scrubs, looking like a flower blooming in the middle of his garden like she’s its centerpiece. She’s my centerpiece. “She’s so beautiful. Sexy. And she’s really smart too. And kind. And funny. And she has a wonderfully filthy mind.”

Ren’s face softens. “It’s cool. I’m glad you found someone. You deserve to have someone that makes you happy.”

“You do too.”

Beck joins us in the doorway as we watch Tilly. “I’d like to have that someday, too.”

“What?” Ren and I ask.

“Happiness,” Beck says quietly, showing a rare hint of vulnerability.

I place a hand on Beck’s shoulder. “You’ll find someone. I’m sure of it. ”

Across the clearing, a ball of orange zooms toward Tilly. Without a second thought, I charge forward to protect my female from whatever threat is approaching, the other males close on my heels.

We form a barrier in front of Tilly, the hairs on my arms standing on end as I place myself in the center, ready to defend her from whatever tries to cause her harm.

The orange ball slows down and Katie pops into her larger form. It takes a while for my mind to catch on that she isn’t an actual threat, but my hackles remain raised as I take in her flustered expression.

Something’s wrong.

“Tilly! Tilly!” Katie calls frantically and tries to peer around me, but I can’t get my feet to move. Logically, I know the monarch fairy isn’t dangerous, but the pitch of her voice keeps me from relaxing.

Tilly calms me with her touch, gliding her hand under my shirt and up my back. She keeps her hand pressed against my bare skin as she tucks herself under my arm.

“Hi, Katie,” Tilly says warmly. “Did you get my note?”

“Of course, we did. That’s how I knew where to find you, silly. I’d like all the details on you and Bodin at a later date, of course. First, we need everyone’s help to find Annamae.”

Tilly stiffens under my arm and one hand flies to her mouth. “What happened?”

Katie starts pacing, her wings fluttering, lifting her off the ground every few steps. “Richard is absolutely frantic. He came to The Bandaged Heart this morning. He says Annamae went out to commune with the trees, something about dancing with them or hugging them because they looked a bit sad. But she didn’t specify where she was going and now it’s been two days and she hasn’t been back home. She usually stays away for one day max, unless she’s with Richard and then they can stay out together for many days, but he says he’s checked all her usual spots and he still can’t find her and asked if we can help. He’s scared something might have happened to her. Doc Calla sent me to tell you while she mobilizes everyone in town to start searching. She said she’ll wait at the clinic in case Annamae is found and needs help, but that you’d know what to do.”

Each word out of Katie’s mouth has Tilly’s shoulders more rigid. The final words have her frozen solid. I gaze down at Tilly to ask if she’s okay, but all the color is drained from her face and her eyes have a faraway look in them. With one deliberate blink, I can see the shutters closing on whatever emotions were creeping in, and Tilly’s whole demeanor shifts to nurse mode with the tilt of her chin.

Stepping forward, Tilly stands in the center and faces Katie first. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. Katie, I’d like for you to go around to all the cottages and see if you can rally anyone to help us search, especially anyone with wings who might be able to get an aerial view. Also anyone with strong senses who might smell her or hear her. The more creatures we have looking for her, the sooner we’ll find her. ”

Katie gives her a quick salute. “I’m on it.” Then, she’s off in an orange blur.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Katie utter such a short sentence. Either Richard must be really worried, or there’s some bigger issue I’m not aware of .

Pivoting on her good ankle, Tilly addresses Beck next, “Could you ready your boat and whatever goes with it in case this is an emergency and Annamae needs to be transported to Cape Easton University Hospital? I hope it’s not needed, but it’s best if we’re prepared.”

Beck nods and starts walking away, but Tilly doesn’t spare him another glance, having already moved on to Ren. “I know you don’t go into town much, but if you’re okay with it, please collect our first aid kit from Doc Calla and meet us at the dock.”

Ren gives her a solemn nod. “I can do that.” Determination burns in his eyes as he adjusts his glasses, then speeds down the cobbled path leading toward town.

The only other creature left, Tilly turns to me. “Bodin, you can—”

“—follow you. I go where you go,” I state succinctly.

Something is off about Tilly. I can understand that this could potentially be a serious situation, and I hope not, but the blank expression on her face makes me think there’s more to it. It’s not the right time to push her or ask any questions, so I’m just going to stay close and support her the best way I can.

“Okay,” she accepts, then allows herself a single deep breath as she stares around the clearing.

I want to smooth her knitted brows with my thumbs, but instead, I stick my hands in my pockets, letting her lead me in the way she needs right now.

“Bodin, you know this island better than me. Can you show me the places you think Annamae might have gone to? I think perhaps a heavily wooded area specifically if she went to commune with trees. We’d need to be on the lookout for any fresh growth or something out of the ordinary that might indicate her location. Also, do you have a saw, big shears, or a hatchet, just in case she’s trapped somewhere?”

“There’s a hatchet in my cart, but the other tools are in my workshop. I can run and get them if they’re needed once we find her. I think we should head west first. Richard and Annamae usually stick to the east of the island, and there’s a woodland beyond the paths over there that Richard might not have searched yet.”

“Great.” Tilly starts walking, and I reach for her hand before she rushes off.

“Could I convince you to get on the cart? It’s a long walk and your ankle—”

She cuts me off with a shake of her head. “My ankle will be fine. If it’s not, it’s a concern for later.” Closing her eyes, Tilly takes a shaky breath. When she opens them again, there’s a deep worry there that speaks of more than this current situation. She gentles her voice, sounding like my normal Tilly for the first time since Katie flew into the clearing. “I’m sorry. I know you’re just looking out for me, and I appreciate that a lot, but I can’t think about anything else right now. My sole focus is Annamae and making sure she’s safe.”

“Okay.” I squeeze her hand once, then let go.

I’ll follow Tilly anywhere, support her however she needs, and right now, all she needs from me is showing her where we could possibly find Annamae.

We fall into step next to each other as we head west, silent as we keep our eyes peeled for any indication of Annamae. I strain my ears too, listening to the island teeming with activity as a full-scale search takes place.

Overhead, Pierre flies, his gargoyle wings dark against the sky as he circles above a thicket of trees. In the distance, Aurelius flits from thicket to thicket, peering inside. The same scene multiplies as more winged creatures join the search from above.

When we pass the school, Caoimhín is outside with a few teachers, searching the grounds while kids’ faces press to windows.

Water ripples as Viggo travels along the coast, Marisol’s head popping up every now and then too as she searches along the crevices between the rocks.

Seeing all of Starry Hill come together for one creature, makes my heart swell with pride.

This is what community is all about.

Tilly and I continue on in silence, determined to reach our destination as fast as we can. Her anxiety is almost a palpable force driving her forward, and I wish I could alleviate it somehow, but it seems that my presence is the only thing she wants right now. If she needs anything else, I’ll make it happen.

A few minutes later, the thumping of feet running toward us reaches my ears half a second before the speeding creature comes into view, but it’s just long enough to place myself in front of Tilly.

Why am I so ridiculously protective of her today? I know she’s safe on the island and not one creature would dare harm her. Will I be this overprotective until I’ve officially claimed her, or will this be my nature from here on out?

In front of us, stands Arran, his face, hair, and entire body covered in a thick layer of sunscreen. If the situation wasn’t so tense today, I would be laughing. He must’ve used the entire bottle Tilly sent him.

Suppressing my smile, I say, “Arran, it’s nice seeing you out during the day.”

“Good morning, Bodin. And you, I assume, must be Nurse Tilly,” Arran says as Tilly steps out from behind me.

“That’s me,” Tilly says with a half smile. Her body is turned toward Arran but her eyes still dart around as she searches for Annamae.

Arran inclines his head. “Thank you for the sunscreen. Katie woke me and told me to apply it so I can assist with the search. That faerie is truly terrifying.”

I bite down on my lip to keep my grin from forming, Tilly’s own smile looking more genuine at the mention of tiny Katie waking a grumpy vampire from his sleep.

Tilly accepts his thanks. “You’re very welcome. I was still planning to come by the castle to introduce myself. Maybe I can stop by after we’ve found Annamae? Then I’ll teach you how much to apply so the bottle lasts longer.”

“I do not need to apply it all?”

Tilly shakes her head. “Not all at once.”

Arran takes Tilly’s hand, his eyes filling with emotion he’s never shown in all the years I’ve known him. “Thank you,” he rasps. “I’ve not been outside during the day in over four hundred years. I forgot what it felt like to have the sun on my skin. ”

Tilly places her other hand on top of his. “I can’t imagine what today must feel like to you.”

A silent understanding of sorts passes between Tilly and Arran, a new friendship already forming. It will be good for them to get along. He’s her closest neighbor, after all. Our closest neighbor.

I place a hand around Tilly’s waist, knowing she’ll want to get back to the search soon. “We best be off now. We’re heading west on our search.”

Arran takes a step back. “I am also. I shall run ahead and see if anything odd calls my attention.”

“Thank—”

Before Tilly can finish her sentence, Arran is off, a gust of wind and the faint scent of sunscreen the only evidence he was even here.