Page 51 of When the Merchant Met the Orc

Rom comes over, the gargoyle talking quietly to Laini about a magical storm.

“I think that’s the one Rychell and I got caught in on our way home,” I say.

Cyrus’s eyes widen. “I didn’t realize you were out in that mess. I guess it does make sense time-wise.”

Kaya runs up behind him and wraps her arms around his middle. He turns inside the ring of her hold and kisses her lightly.

“Halvard?”

I turn toward Laini and Rom. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

They trade a look that I can’t read.

“Aye,” Rom says, “how did you keep from being injured? Is Rychell’s horse and wagon all right?”

“We found a cave just in time.”

Cyrus has his hands in Kaya’s hair, but he freezes. “Wait, wait, wait. You had cave time with Rychell?”

“Cave time?” Kaya frowns at Cyrus.

“Oh yes. Get an orc male in a cave with his love interest and there will definitely be sparks.”

Kaya looks to me. “Were there sparks, Halvard?”

I can feel my face burning. “With all respect, will you lot please mind your own business?”

Cyrus scrunches his face, the scales on his cheekbones reflecting the bonfire’s and the dusk hollows’ flickering light. “You’re no fun.”

“I bet he was plenty fun for Rychell in that cave,” Laini says. She gives my arm a gentle pinch.

“Tully is rubbing off on you,” I say, chuckling.

We get fresh mugs and toast to the night. I try not to notice that whatever Osric has said to Rychell has her staring into the distance, deep in thought. The light dances over her graceful nose and full lips. I long to take her away from him and smooth the worried lines of her lovely face.

Chapter 27

Rychell

“Rychell, I don’t want you to enter into a contract with me when your heart is on the line. It leads to unbalanced decisions.”

“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“If you leave things as they are, your son will receive an education at Ivydowns, and you can now choose whether to live with me or without. You can decide freely. I am not much for emotions, as you’ve probably already guessed, but I respect the love you have for Nate. I don’t want to be a part of any deal that would take advantage of that in any way. I want you to choose to marry me because you want to for you, for your business, for our unromantic companionship. I don’t want to be the rich man who only gets the girl because she is trying to help her son. Does that make sense?”

I feel my lips part, and I try to think of what to say, but my mind is whirling.

Osric takes my hand. “I will only say this once. You also appear to have feelings for that bodyguard of yours, and I don’t want to stand in the way of love if you aren’t actually like me and you want a relationship in the way most folks do.”

My mind churns like storm clouds. I feel lighter, but also, I am also incredibly confused. Words jumble on my tongue, but I can’t come up with anything to say.

“I need time to think,” I say finally.

Osric's hand slips from mine and smiles. “I’ll be at the Acorn Inn until two days from now. I have a meeting with Master Grumlin about arranging ocean passage for some of his regular tourists.”

“I didn’t realize you were in that business.”

“I have several lines of income that branch from the shipping industry.”