Page 26 of When the Merchant Met the Orc

Aila is going on about velvet blindfolds. She gets up and rifles through a drawer in a chest by another door. “They're in here somewhere. Can’t let you go without one. Martha would tease me relentlessly about not being the best hostess to family.”

“Martha is my sister in law. An orc,” Magnus says. “She isn’t as kind to Aila as I’d like. I need to give her a piece of my mind.”

Aila is back and holding two strips of sage green velvet. “I’ll give Martha that mind piece if I choose, Magnus.”

I cover a snorting laugh by lifting my tea cup and pretending to sip. Despite all the fuss, I like Aila very much.

“Take these.” Aila hands each of us one of the velvet strips. “Now you’ll have fine blindfolds for the dance.”

“Is there any meaning to us matching?” Halvard asks.

A warm glow fills my chest because I am certain he is asking, so I won’t be pushed into dancing with him. I do want to dance with him—as friends—but it’s nice to have him backing me up instead of pushing at me.

“No, most will have the same two or three colors,” Aila says.

After a few nearly painful hugs, we leave with our blindfolds and very full stomachs.

“Thanks for introducing me,” I say to Halvard as we walk toward the inn. “Their house is delightful. And they’re both very kind.”

He blows out a breath. “Very obnoxious too.”

“Maybe a little.”

“Maybe a lot.”

I laugh. “Thanks for not pushing me to be your date at the party.”

“Well, I was acting obnoxious like my cousin, and I’ve decided that’s not my style. I won’t bother you about romance again unless you ask me to. But I’ll be waiting for you in the shadows, quiet and steady, if you ever decide to open your heart.”

I swallow and fiddle with the blindfold Aila gave me. “Thank you, Halvard.”

“Of course. I apologize if I was being an arse.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “You aren’t an arse. I promise.”

“I nearly choked Osric to death at the inn.”

“But you didn’t,” I say with a wry laugh. “You took it out on your spoon. That’s not so bad.”

“Isn’t it?”

We both laugh. It feels good to be with Halvard like this. Free and easy, with him expecting nothing. I hope Nate grows up to be a good male like Halvard. Brave, wise, humble, selfless when life requires it.

Chapter 14

Halvard

The Mast and Sail pub is larger than The Gold Coin, the one where I work. Large candle holders hang from the angled ceiling, six long tables fill the floor, and the bar extends from the door to the very back of the pub.

Rychell is taking it all in with those intoxicating blue eyes of hers. I would love to be the one to make those eyes flutter and to make that sweet mouth of hers part in ecstasy, but alas, I’ve promised to behave. I still think there’s a chance she’ll give in.

We’re sharing a plate of dark purple grapes, autumn-style seeded bread, and bright orange cheese. The ale is crisp and rather strong. It’s all exactly how I want it.

Popping another grape between her lips, Rychell examines the crowd. They’re getting louder as the evening goes on, and the ale, mead, and cider strip them of their inhibitions. The ale is making my head pleasantly light; it’s going to be tough not to flirt too much with Rychell.

A piper and a bodhrán begin a quick reel.

“Is that the Ghostly Shadows reel?” I ask her.