Page 95 of The Orc Chief's Baker
“Good,” Sythcol said. “Now I’ll go sleep first, I think.”
With that, they both exited back out into the hall. Sythcol did not pause and headed right out the intricately carved double doors. Brovdir headed for the fruit table and began to fill a bowl for Trinia.
“Chief.”
Ogvick stood behind him, his bushy brows were furrowed with worry and his square jaw was clenched tight. “I need to speak with you.”
Brovdir had already spent far too long away from Trinia, but could see this was important. “About Sythcol?”
Ogvick nodded. “About . . . last night.”
His stomach twisted. “Are things not well?”
“I... I can’t really say. He’s just acting... odd.” Ogvick looked around the room and Brovdir took note that most werepaying them little mind. “Caivid and Hendr think so, too. Perhaps if we discussed as a group, we could figure him out.”
Brovdir sighed heavily. He did not want to make Trinia wait for her food another moment. “Sythcol is resting. He’ll be gone a while. Can this wait until the eve?”
Ogvick’s brow furrowed up even more, but he said, “I... suppose.”
“Work the soup,” Brovdir said with a nod toward the bubbling pot that smelled more like a bathtub than a stew. “When done, go find Caivid and Hendr. I’ll be back shortly.”
The warrior’s expression shifted to one of dismay as he looked toward the cauldrons, but he nodded and said, “Yes, Chief.”
Brovdir exhaled with relief and walked toward the exit. As he did so, his eyes scanned the room, focusing on one particular area.
The table where the families sat together.
Govek was seated nearest, with his arm around Miranda and the three boys they’d adopted, chattering happily as they scarfed down their meal. Next to them sat Iytier who bounced his infant son on his lap while his mate laughed at something Miranda said.
They looked happy. Full.
He wanted that.
His chest tightened around the sharp truth. He’d always wanted that, hadn’t he? Maybe that was why he’d only ever taken women who he knew would refuse to play conquest.
He didn’t want Trinia as his conquest. He wanted her as his mate.
He wantedher.
And he’d thought of the perfect way to win her.
He quickly carried the bowls of fruit out of the hall and pretended not to hear whenever any of the orcs called after him, demanding his attention.
His mind was centered on convincing Trinia to meet with him regularly and advise him about the clan.
That was how he would get her to see him often.
She’d been born and raised here. She knew every orc and male personally. She could give him valuable information. Perhaps every day. In return, he’d build her a home. Slowly.Veryslowly. So slowly that she would have to stay with him here in the meantime.
And if he was lucky, perhaps, by the end, she might decide that the home he’d built for her at Oakwall wasn’t as good as the one they shared here in Rove Wood Clan.
Fades, please, let her choose to stay.
He all but kicked down the door when he finally arrived home.
Only to find she was standing at his desk. A cold chill raced over him.
He’d forgotten to close the roll top.
