Page 123 of The Orc Chief's Baker
He was so stable.
And she was so lucky to have him for support.
“You always call it your mother’s bakery.”
She blinked, her thoughts derailed instantly.
“Oh... uh. Yes, because it is hers.” Or at least itwas. It was Ronhold’s now.
“Shouldn’t it be yours?”
What?
“It was your grandmother’s. Then your mother’s. Now yours.”
Oh. That’s what he meant. “Well, that’s only because . . . because . . .”
Because why?
Her throat tightened with confusion. Her heart quailed against a truth that she did not want to name. She wasn’t ready. She’d lost so much already. She didn’t want to give up yet.
Brovdir came back and settled back down at her feet. He had a healing tincture in one hand and held it out to her. “Found this. Drink.”
His voice sounded rough. She reached out and gently touched the scar at his throat. “Is it hurting?”
His lips quirked in a half smile. “Too much groaning.”
Her cheeks heated. They had been loud. She wondered if everyone in the hall heard them. “You should drink it then.”
He shook his head. “Won’t help.”
“Why?”
“Too old. Nothing left to heal.” He pushed the tincture into her hand. “Drink, and the bite will be gone. Like it never happened.”
Like it never happened. Her heart squeezed in her chest. “No.”
He tipped his head, eyes wide. “No?”
Biscuits, he was so cute. “I want to keep it. I don’t want to forget this. Being with you. Not that I everwould, I just... I’ve lost so much in the last few days but gained much too. This included.”
His face lit up with delight, so vibrant it lit up the whole room. It bloomed her own happiness so high she felt like she was floating. She leaned forward to kiss him.
“BROVDIR!”
The rage-laced shout cracked like a whip around them, and Trinia jumped. Brovdir gripped her shoulder and looked toward the door with narrowed eyes.
“What was that?” Trinia asked.
“Sythcol,” Brovdir said.
“Where thefuckis he? I can scent him here!”
Footsteps stormed toward the storeroom and the door would have burst off its hinges had the barrel not been in the way.
“Brovdir! I can scent you in there! Come out now!”
Brovdir flinched but said, “One moment.” He began to dress while she straightened her clothes.
