Page 115 of That’s My Orc, Tusk Off

Fred floated up from a table where he’d perched and flew over to hover above the blanket before gently settling. Amanda slid off his back and snuggled into his side, her stick lying on the blanket beside her.

Fred’s soft grumble rang out while the color of her crown faded to a soft pink.

I caught Traig looking toward the kitchen, a small smile pulling at his mouth.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I bought two chairs three years ago,” he said. “The seller asked if I wanted both or just one. I said both, but I never had anyone to sit in the second one.” He paused. “Until now.”

Loving someone left you with no shield against pain, but if you didn’t love, you never discovered who you truly were.

“I’m using that chair,” I croaked, smiling despite everything.

“It’s yours. Always,” he said.

We got ready for bed, easing around each other in the bathroom, undressing in the bedroom.

Nothing had changed in the physical space, but everything had changed in what it meant.

Before I turned out the light, I felt his gaze on me.

I didn’t ask why he was staring. I already knew. He was counting this moment the same way I counted good things. Watching me in his space because he wanted to remember. Because even if we only got a month, he wanted to hold on to every piece of it for as long as he could.

My wrist caught the light. The mark had settled into muted silver.

“Let’s go to bed,” I said.

His expression softened. “Yes.”

In the living room, Fred grumbled softly.

I’d bet anything Amanda’s crown still glowed pink.

Traig caught my hand, lifting it so our marks aligned. His thumb traced the mountain and wave on my skin.

“Kavresh,” he said softly. “The person whose happiness determines your own.”

I traced his mark in return. “We’re together now.”

“We are.”

His arms came around me, pulling me against his chest.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

TRAIG

Iwoke before dawn with Willa curled against my chest, her breath warm on my skin.

Outside, the first hints of gray crept into the sky.

I needed to get up. Make coffee for my mate and tea for myself. Start the day like I always did. But moving meant leaving this woman. Her hair tickled my jaw, and she made a soft sound when she shifted closer, still asleep.

We hadn’t been intimate since that one time, but that didn’t matter. We were still getting to know each other. There was no rush.

I extracted myself slowly, lifting her head with one hand while sliding my arm free with the other. She mumbled, her fingers skating across my chest.

I froze.