Page 68 of The Orc Chief's Baker
It took no time for him to write the messages and call the birds to deliver them. Karthoc’s warriors had no fewer than a hundred trained robins and sparrows that followed them during their travels. And the messenger birds in the Rove Woods were all enchanted, so all one had to do was murmur the name of the recipient and it was as good as delivered.
He’d just sent out the final bird and closed the window when a crash sounded from the bathroom. A tremendous splash as water gushed under the door.
Trinia let out a cry.
Panic seized him and he bolted for the door. Had a sinkhole opened under his tree? Was she drowning? He slammed his whole weight into the door.
He really should have anticipated how flimsy the wood was compared to his brute strength. Itshatteredon impact, splintering into a million tiny pieces and he landed on the sopping wet floor.
“Trinia!” He tried to rise as he searched for her, but the ground was slick from spilled soap bottles.
“W-what are you doing?”
Ah, fuck.
Trinia was huddled in the tub, perfectly fine.
And very naked.
His blood ran so hot he could feel it pulsing behind his eyes.
“B-Brovdir, what— Biscuits and jam! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—I can’t get the water to stop.”
He shakily tried to rise to his feet. He reckoned that nearly all the soap tinctures he’d had lined up on the edge of the tub had fallen. The floor was as slick as ice.
The water was still spewing and flowing over the edge. He managed to his feet and went to the tub.
His eyes simplywould notobey him and kept sliding over to catch a glimpse of Trinia. She was huddled in a little ball, bare legs crossed, knees to chest, arms covering as much of her as she could.
Fuck, he was an absolutewretchfor peeping in on her. He went back and snatched up the towel from the counter and handed it to her, even as every part of him was longing for a better look.
“Th-thank you.” Her voice was still warbly and panicked. He quickly reached up and snapped the spout closed. She began wrapping herself up and he wondered if she would think him odd for weeping at the loss.
“I’m so sorry!” Trinia said. “Savili said her spout stops on its own, and when yours didn’t, I panicked. I thought I’d be able to reach if I got on the edge of the tub, but I lost my balance and fell and?—”
“You fell?” He searched what little of her he could see. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. I just fell into the water and made it slosh over the edge and it took the soap with it. I’m so sorry. I’ll find a way to replace them!” She looked far too concerned for his liking.
“It’s fine.” He didn’t give a shit about the soap. “They aren’t mine.”
“The . . . soap in your bathroom isn’tyours?”
“Belongs to the warriors. Still in tents. I let them bathe here.” He started to step back, but the floor was incredibly slick and he went still to keep from sliding.
She nodded. “Oh, that makes more sense then. I wondered why you had so many. For a moment, I thought you might have a very specific routine, but none of the soap smelled half as good as you do so?—”
She stopped talking as his brows rose. She liked how he smelled?
Her cheeks went a delightful pink and her gaze fell away from him. “N-never mind. Thank you for helping. I’m so sorry about the floor. I’ll get it cleaned up... somehow.”
“I will.” He turned to go to his trunk for another towel.
And his feet slipped right out from under him.
He hit the floor hard, but it paled in comparison to hearing Trinia yelp with shock.
“A-are you all right?” There was more splashing as she started to get out.
