Page 44 of The Rake OR The Orca Who Met His Match in a Selkie Desiring Revenge

After a minute, Torsten opened the door, the large orc smiling broadly when he recognized Aegir. Though he was no small fellow, Aegir was still shorter than his friend, who, like most orcs, surpassed most with the exception of ogres and giants.3 When Torsten smiled, the tusks on either side of his mouth pulled his lips around them, showing off the bands of metal that encircled them.

"Kitten, come see what the cat dragged in!” His friend called out before pulling him inside for a hug. It had been months, but their friendship had always been one of easy camaraderie. They clapped each other on the back, immediately resuming their old game, each trying to smack the other harder, until Aegir tapped his lunula and strengthened his blows. His last clap earned an “oof” from his larger friend, signaling the end of their game.

“Fairly sure you cheated that time, ya damned guppy.”

"I might’ve—" Aegir cut off as he was attacked by three small half orcs, which was to say, notvery small at all. Halsten and Ursule were eight now, and were of a height with Elspeth. Behind them, little Bjorn toddled on bare feet, his chubby fingers already reaching for Aegir.

“Gir, Gir, Gir,” the little one chanted.

“Aegir, look, I’ve my first hunting trophy!” Halsten called, pointing to a hooked claw piercing his left lobe.

Aegir leaned down to scoop up Bjorn. “Looks quite smart! What did you get?”

"Mountain lion!" Halsten said, his hands flying about as he spoke. "He’d been injured and Papa said he’d die a slow death otherwise.”

"Papa?” Aegir mouthed to Torsten as he clapped Halsten on the back. His friend beamed and nodded. If Aegir wasn’t mistaken, his friend’s chest also puffed up.

“You did the right thing then, good on you. Now, where’s that troublesome sister of yours?” Aegir asked, feigning looking around for Ursule.

"I’m right here!” She giggled, tugging on his jacket.

"Surely not! You’re halfway to being a young lady, Ursule is a wee hellion of a girl.”

"I’ve got you tricked then!” She said, a shy smile on her cheeks. The twins wrapped his legs in a hug and Bjorn toyed with his earrings.

“Didn’t expect to see you so soon,” Torsten said, his eyes tracing to Elspethand raising a brow in question.

"Yes, well, we ran into a spot of trouble and needed more up to date information. This is Elspeth.” He waved her forward and Torsten held out his hand to shake hers. "It seems I’ve accidentally mated her, so unless she can find a way out of it, she’s stuck with me.”

Torsten nodded and dipped his head low over Elspeth’s hand, a gesture she seemed confused by, but Aegir knew to be a dwarven sign of respect for a female in one’s family. Aegir pressed his lips together as emotion surged in his chest.

“Elspeth, it’s my honor,” Torsten said. “Please accept both my congratulations and my condolences.”

Elspeth giggled. “Thank you. Perhaps I am lucky, so I’ll take your congratulations.”

Giddiness suffused Aegir and he was hard pressed to hide an elated smile.

"Oh, give it time and you may want my condolences too,” Torsten quipped. "And these are my children, Halsten, Ursule, and wee Bjorn, there.”

"It’s so lovely to meet you all,” Elspeth said, squatting as if to get on their level momentarily beforeapparently realizing the elder two nearly matched her height. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

The twins released his legs to make their introductions to her.

“I hope he’s said good things about us!” Ursule said, curtsying prettily as Halsten cut a smart bow. Apparently time as a dignitary’s children had taught them some social niceties.

“Only the loveliest!”

"I’m so happy Aegir brought you," Ursule said, blushing.

Warm arms pulled Aegir from watching Elspeth with the children.

"You’ve never brought anyone here,” Catrin whispered in his ear as she pulled him down to her height and into a hug.

"Indeed I have not,” he replied. He knew the evasive answer would annoy her. Cat’s hugs always felt like home and he couldn’t help it; it immediately put him into sibling teasing mode.

“Well, it feels like a big deal.” She let go of him, smiling wide at Elspeth. “Welcome! I’m Catrin, so nice to meet you! Get out of the way you two, it’s my turn.”

Catrin’s arms wrapped around Elspeth, clearly enjoying being slightly taller than someone for once. Elspeth looked at himover Cat’s shoulder, her eyes were wide and a little watery.