Page 5 of How the Orc Stole Christmas
I pointed a finger at them while keeping my other arm around the trembling female. “You both are banned from spending time with Jules for the next week. Report for extra duty tomorrow morning.”
They opened their mouths to protest, but Kharag grabbed them and dragged them away, glaring at the other young orcs, who followed, grumbling. I finally turned my attention to the young female clinging to me side. Her hand rested on my stomach, the soft skin like a burning brand against me, a faint tremble barely noticeable.
“Are you okay, lass?”
She nodded, her eyes wide. “Thank you for saving me. I couldn’t catch myself in time.”
“You shouldn’t have had to. They were careless. Come, I’ll take you home.”
The tension in her body eased, and she nodded. We walked quietly, though she didn’t let go of me and I kept my arm around her. It felt oddly right, as if she belonged there. A feeling that I could not get accustomed to. She was meant for someone else.
“Olivia wants me to create Christmas for your village,” Jules said just before we got to the hut she had been given as her own. It was next door to Olivia’s, but she had privacy, which I’m sure she appreciated.
“Christmas?” I didn’t know what this was.
Jules smiled. “It’s a holiday on earth where Santa Claus brings presents for the good children.”
I frowned and glanced around the village. “We don’t have many orclings running around right now.”
She laughed, the sound musical in the cold night. “It’s not just about the presents. It’s about getting together with family and friends, enjoying a nice meal, and celebrating family.”
Now I was really confused. Didn’t we do that every night at the communal fire? But her excitement was palpable, and I didn’t want to upset her. So I settled for a nod, hoping it would satisfy her. Only she looked disappointed.
“I was hoping you would help me,” she continued.
“Help you? How can I do that?” Oh, I was going to regret the offer.
A brilliant smile crossed her face. “I need a Christmas tree, a special meal, and some ideas for presents for the kids. Olivia is close to her delivery date, so I don’t want to ask her for help and she needs her mates nearby. So, will you help me?”
“Why don’t you ask your new friends? They seem willing to do anything for you.” I wasn’t the type for celebrations, usually leaving the village whenever matings were feted or births. The younger orcs would be better suited to this task, after a thorough talking to about how to care for the delicate human female.
She drew back and tilted her head. “Are you jealous?”
“Of course not. They’re better suited to help you with this. I’m busy hunting for our winter stores and scouting to ensure no one attacks us. I don’t have time for a silly female.”
Her smile faded, and her gaze narrowed. She pulled her arm back and hugged herself; her hurt was evident. “I’m sorry to inconvenience you. I can manage from here. I won’t bother you again.”
She stalked the few yards to her hut, slamming the door for effect, leaving me in the cold, cursing myself for hurting her. But it was for the best. She was hoping for too much from me. Better she look elsewhere. I would ensure one of those orcs treated her well, after I kicked their asses in training in the morning.
CHAPTER FOUR
JULES
Klas avoided me for the next several days, but I had no shortage of helpers. Sadly, they weren’t the ones I wanted. Story of my life. I always chased after the men who didn’t want me. If I spoke to a shrink, he’d probably say that was because I was always seeking attention from my parents who had replaced me with a new family. Only, Klas hadn’t replaced me. He never wanted me in the first place.
Though, I had often wondered through the years if my parents had ever really wanted me, too. Was there something about me that was unloveable?
The orcs in the village didn’t think so, and even some of the minotaurs in the neighboring herd were joining in on the fun, trying to attract my attention. But none of them were the grumpy orc I wanted. Olivia told me to keep my options open and to be patient, but even I could see tempers flaring the longer my decision dragged on. But none of the orcs interested me like Klas did.
I had hoped he was changing his mind when he rescued me from the fire and the hotheads who lost their tempers, but he left me hanging yet again. A girl could only take so much rejection. Itwas time I moved on. I mean, how attached could I have become after only a day or so with Klas?
Olivia had a great idea to occupy my suitors. Use them to help us prepare for the Christmas celebrations. We started at the communal dinner fire, explaining what Christmas is and our plans to celebrate it. Predictably, the human females were excited while the orcs were skeptical. I caught Klas’s expression as he scoffed at our plans, though he said little.
One of the orcs, Bakh I think he was, raised his hand, which was cute. “You bring trees inside your hut? Intentionally? Why?”
I exchanged glances with Olivia, and she stepped forward. “Specific types of trees. We call them pine trees. They have needles, not leaves, and keep their needles all year long. We decorate them and put presents under them.”
The orcs murmured among themselves, clearly confused by the entire process. “The tree, or even other greenery like wreaths and boughs, represent hope and life during the winter when everything is sleeping and is dark. It brightens the winter season. There are some religious aspects, too, but we’ll focus on the other stuff.”
