Page 30 of The Orc Chief's Baker
“Hermest.” Trinia’s cold tone made Brovdir’s spine straighten. “Do you think Headman Gerald would be pleased to hear you speak this way?”
The man shut his mouth so quick it all but disappeared off his face. Apparently, keeping the peace was very important to the villagers.
Such an oddity.
“I don’t owe you an explanation for anything, Hermest, but I will tell you this, the warrior orc standing before you saved my life yesterday. For that, he has earned my respect and trust. I will not allow you to insult him without cause.”
Brovdir’s eyes were so wide he could feel the morning chill on them.
Was she defending him? Truly? He felt weightless.
“How about we take this somewhere more private?”
The question Trinia asked was directed at Brovdir specifically. She met his eyes with a quiet determination that warmed his chest and made a smile curl at his lips.
She took his smile as agreement. “Good, I just need to grab something from my cart.” She hurried over to the wooden hand cart packed with every kind of delicious looking bread one could fathom. There were things he didn’t even recognize. Items that smelled so divine it was unreal.
“Oh, and here.”
She approached so rapidly he had no chance to back off. She reached for him and gentle fingers clasped around his hand, bringing it palm up.
She plopped the round ball of bread into his hand. The weight of it surprised him. He’d thought it would be light as a feather with how soft it was. His fingers melted into its perfectly tan surface.
“Go ahead and eat. Let me know if you like it.” She turned away and suddenly it felt like every being at this trade was looking at him, watching him.
He wasn’t going to let that stop him. He brought the bread to his lips. It smelled so sweet it made his mouth water. He unhinged his jaw a little so he could pop the whole fist-sized bread roll into his mouth.
The flavor exploded on his tongue. The bread itself was light and fluffy like a cloud and melted with barely any chewing. And the center had been filled with some sort of thick sweet milk. His tastebuds danced with delight at this new experience.
He hadn’t realized he’d closed his eyes to relish it until he opened them and found that the young woman manning Trinia’s table was staring at him, aghast. A few other humans were also regarding him with wide eyes and nervous expressions.
Blast it, he’d forgotten that the Rove Wood orcs hid their teeth from the humans.
There was no going back now. He finished chewing and swallowed quickly, too unnerved by their abject discomfort to even lick his lips.
Trinia came about then, a woven basket over her arm. She blinked at him. “Did you eat it already?”
He nodded slowly, still relishing the taste even as some of the male humans at a nearby table began to whisper and point at him. One of them was the male who’d confronted him.
Trinia didn’t notice and went back to her table, picking up two more of the dough balls. “I’ll be right back, Ulia. Will you watch my cart while I’m gone?”
The blonde girl nodded. She was the only one near who didn’t seem completely aghast by his teeth. “Good luck.”
Trinia shot her a quizzical look, but didn’t take the time to question her. Instead, she turned and gestured into the woods. “Shall we?”
He nodded eagerly.
He’d follow her anywhere.
Chapter
Nine
TRINIA
She pushed down her irritation and embarrassment by guiding the warrior orc deep into the woods, far enough away that she couldn’t hear the clamoring of gossip anymore. She stopped them right next to a fallen log underneath the canopy of a bright red oak tree. The gentle autumn breeze rustled the leaves, raining them down and dappling the bright sunlight through them. The dazzling blue of the sky peeped through, and the smell of crisp, clean air and decaying foliage flooded her senses.
The beautiful scenery did little to improve her nerves.
