Page 35 of Enchanted with the Orc
“Can I ask you something?” he murmured in his deep voice, and a shiver ran down my spine at the deep tone.
“Of course,” I said, trying to send a careless smile in his direction, but I wasn’t fooling anyone.
“Are you running from her father?” The words were a whisper, but I heard every one and it was like I’d been dunked in freezing water.
I tried to pull my fingers free, but he didn’t let me, keeping his warm palm around mine, running a dulled claw against the back of my hand in a gentle caress that made me melt.
“I’m sorry if I’m being pushy,” he added. “I just wanted to make sure I was protecting you both properly.”
I looked up at him, and didn’t see the judgement I’d expected. I couldn’t read what I saw there, but it was soft and accepting. I looked over at where Gabbi was giggling madly while rolling around in the ball pit with a dozen little children, the centaur at her side.
“Yes,” I admitted, the word forced out of my throat, but I found words leaving after that. “He… hurt me.”
His expression grew thunderous but where I would usually find that as a red flag in a male, his expression made me feel… comforted. He was angry on my behalf.
“Howdid he hurt you?” he asked, and while his brow was low with anger, his words were gentle.
I took a deep breath, digging deep for a story that wouldn’t traumatize him. But also, I wanted him to know what he’d been like. How I’d had to live when I was with David.
“When I was seven months pregnant,” I told him in a low flow of words that I’d never said before, “my neighbor, Mrs. Davidia invited me over for an herbal tea that she said helped with her pregnancy.”
I clutched at his fingers with mine, needing some of his strength to keep going. “I was just getting the mail. That was when she saw me.” I swallowed hard. “It was still early and I knew David—” I paused on the name, not having said it out loud for so long it felt like a curse that would call him upon us.
I glanced around, but of course, he didn’t appear out of nowhere the way I expected him to. I focused on Enka’s hand instead. Big, steady and warm. “I knew he would still be asleep. So I went over and we had breakfast.” The memories were pouring into me and it was as if I was back there again.
“When I got back, he was so angry,” I whispered, my voice low and hoarse, tears clogging my throat, but I refused to let them fall. “He slapped me across my face and called me a whore,” I gasped, struggling to keep myself together.
“He said I was hiding someone from him,” I played with the lines on his fingers, struggling to stay present. To stayhereinstead of there. “That I was carrying his child and I wasstillsleeping with men on the side, eating with them instead of him.”
I lifted my gaze to Enka’s not able to see him beyond the tears in my gaze. “I wish I’d left then. I wish I’d told Mrs. D. She would have helped me leave. I think she wanted me to. That was why she invited me over all the time. Sheknewhe was hurting me,” I admitted for the first time ever.
His fingers tightened on mine for a moment and I felt a shudder run through his big body, but I still wasn’t able to see his expression. Still, he didn’t say anything, just stroking my fingers with his own and keeping me with him.
“I don’t know why I told you that,” I choked out a laugh, blinkingpast my tears. “That wasn’t what you asked. But yes, we’re running from him. He’s… not a nice male.”
He lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles and the tears were threatening again when he said, “That’s his fault. Not yours. You didn’t ask for any of that, Tasia.None of itwas your fault.”
“I stayed,” I gasped, squeezing my eyes shut, shame smothering me until I couldn’t breathe. “I stayed when I should have left.”
I was in his arms before I knew what was happening, snuggled against a solid chest, my face pressed to the steady beat of his heart. I shook against him, but with a few harsh breaths, I was able to control myself.
“You did your best,” he whispered against my hair, his lips pressed to the top of my head. “You did what you had to do. But it wasn’t your fault.”
The words were like a balm to an open wound. It was still festering, but not as bad as before. I’d never explained what happened to me to anyone—not even my coven. I was sure they’d come to their own conclusions, but I hadn’t said a word.
Talking to him was a relief that I’d never thought I would be able to get. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, shaking my head and pulling away from him. He released me, but he kept our fingers twined. “I didn’t mean to say all of that. This is a happy day and—” I was cut off by his fingers on my chin, tilting my head up.
Heat suffused the space he was touching. He was just so… warm. And it made me feel so safe. So different from when I’d been touched before.
“Don’t ever apologize for talking to me about something that matters to you, Tasia,” he murmured, his brow furrowed as he met my gaze. “I’m here for you however you need me.”
I gave him a tremulous smile, looking away as heat flooded my face.
However I need him?
Illicit images filled my brain before I could stop them.
No! Get it together! You’re just friends!
