Page 13 of Till Orc Do Us Part
But tonight, beneath this bruised sky, a part of me wonders:
What if some things are not meant to be erased?
CHAPTER 5
ROWAN
The next morning, I drag myself intoSea & Beanbefore the sun even thinks about showing up.
Liara’s already claimed our usual back table—legs kicked up on the chair across from her, a wide-mouthed latte steaming beside a pile of sketchbooks. Her pale-blue hair is piled high today, sea-glass earrings catching the cafe’s dim light. Half a fox tail peeks from beneath her threadbare cardigan.
She’s been here since six. I know this because she texted me at six.
Coffee. Now. You’re spiraling.
I slam my bag on the floor and slide into the chair opposite her.
“Triple shot,” I say to the approaching server. “Don’t be shy.”
Liara peers over her sketchbook. “Oh good. You look like hell.”
“Thanks.” I rub my eyes. “You’re a peach.”
The server—Mira, a young selkie with silver-gray eyes and a lip ring—smiles knowingly. “Rough night?”
“You have no idea.”
She flits away. I slouch back in my chair, bones aching in ways that have nothing to do with sleep.
Liara closes her sketchbook with a snap. “Alright. Spill.”
I scrub my hands through my hair, already regretting coming. “It’s… Drokhaz.”
Liara cackles. “Of course it is. It’s always the tall, dangerous ones with you.”
I shoot her a look. “It’s not like that.”
She leans in, chin in hand. “Oh? Tell that to the way you just blushed.”
“I did not?—”
“You did. Full flush. Very poetic.” She sips her latte, eyes dancing. “So what’d the big green bastard do this time?”
I groan. “He came into the store.”
That gets her full attention. “He what?”
“Last night. Just strolled in like he owned the place.” I rake my nails lightly across the tabletop. “Claimed he was researching local color.”
Liara snorts. “Local color? Please. The man’s about as subtle as a wrecking ball.”
“I know. And then Jamie—” I stop, pulse kicking.
Liara’s eyes narrow. “What about Jamie?”
I blow out a breath. “He was there. Talked to him.Wavedat him.”
Liara’s jaw drops. “Oh my gods. You let your baby charm an orc tycoon?”
