Page 122 of Halfling
“Your father didn’t sleep for a week,” Aoife said. “He was beside himself.”
Her breakfast sat heavy in her stomach. She wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that. Of course she loved her father and wasn’t surprised to hear of his distress at her disappearance—as any father would react. But she couldn’t help a stinging doubt, wondering if his hurt was more from her loss or his wounded pride.
After all he’d done to combat it, Sir Ciaran’s own daughter was snatched by slavers close to home.
Her mind gnawed on the thought, not paying much attention to the conversation, until she heard Maeve ask, “What do you mean to do with the orc, Sorcha?”
She looked up to find three pairs of eyes watching her closely.
“What do you mean, do with him?”
“Are you going to marry him?”
A blush stole across her face. “I’m not sure. Orcs don’t quite have marriages like we do. But they do form a mate-bond, like the dragons and manticores.”
The answer hung heavy in the kitchen, her family staring at her—her aunt in surprise, her mother in shock, and her sister in poorly concealed disgust.
“You’re hismate?” Maeve sputtered, as if it were an insult.
“Yes.”
Aoife groaned, setting down her mug. “Sorcha, sweetheart, he seems like a strong, kind young…man. But marrying—matinghim?”
“It’s already been done,” Sorcha said, careful to keep her words calm even as her insides twisted with growing offense. “For him, I’m his mate. The bond is set.”
“Well, for him, perhaps. What about what you want? You can’t let yourself be trapped by—”
“I wanthim,mama. He’s the best man I’ve ever met.”
“Can’t blame you, I’ve seen those shoulders,” muttered Sofie into her mug.
“But he’s not a man, he’s anorc!” Maeve screeched.
“It’s just that we don’tknowhim, sweetheart,” her mother said.
“Then get to know him. He’s been quite good at answering all your questions so far.”
The women all blinked at her, and Sorcha used the reprieve to wipe her mouth and hands on a napkin before standing. She closed the distance to her mother and took Aoife’s hands in her own.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. But you have to trust me about this.”
“You’ve just never shown a real interest in anyone that way before. Not for keeping, anyway.”
“I know. I hadn’t found the right one.”
“And he’s the right one?” asked Sofie.
Sorcha smiled. “Yes. He’s right in every way.”
Maeve made a choking sound and their mother’s face went nearly puce.
“But Sorcha—”
“No, mama. I know you don’t like that you and papa didn’t have a hand in finding and choosing him. But grandmother didn’t exactly find papa for you.”
Sofie snorted a laugh. “Would’ve sent him packing if she could!”
Her mother squeezed her hands. “I just don’t see how he fits into your life, sweetheart. Everything here…it must be so different from what his life is.”
