Page 23 of The Orc's Sweetheart
I wonder if she would like a similar proposal. No, I don’t. That is none of my business.
Aurelius leaves our table after his second drink to search for a creature more receptive of his advances, clearly not making any headway with Tilly despite all his antennae combing and wing fluffing. I find immense satisfaction in watching him saunter off.
The conversation remains light while Starry Hill tries their best to entertain the crowd. As usual, Beck’s performance outshines everyone else’s—including Calixta’s. Calixta’s felt more like a private serenade to Beryl than a song meant to entertain the pub. The way Beryl fell to her knees in front of the stage in worship to her wife… I can’t imagine that kind of passion where you don’t even care where you are—your only concern is the object of your affection.
“Hi, Bodin,” Peregrine says, stopping by our table. I nod back my greeting but his attention turns to Tilly before my chin has fully dipped down.
Tone exponentially brighter, he says brightly, “Tilly! So glad to see you here! Are you performing tonight?” The satyr eyes the arm I have slung behind Tilly with keen interest and I force my face into a neutral expression. No need to give the gossip mill any new ammunition.
There’s nothing happening between me and Tilly anyway. I’m only sitting like this because it’s comfortable. That’s my story and I’ll stick to it if anyone ventures to ask.
Tilly shakes her head and chuckles lightly. “Oh, no. I’m not much of a singer, unfortunately. As a medical professional I want to refrain from damaging your eardrums with my inability to stay on key.”
Peregrine puts his beer down on the table and tilts his head at Tilly. “I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
Tilly grimaces and her shoulders climb up to her ears. “I’d rather not prove it tonight. I’m still new in town and want you guys to like me, not scare you off with an offensive rendition of your favorite songs.”
Why do I want to massage her shoulders and tell her it’s okay and that she doesn’t have to do anything she’s not comfortable with? If Peregrine doesn’t ease off soon I’ll simply have to step in. Though, watching Tilly give him a piece of her mind like she did to me earlier this week might be entertaining.
Pouting playfully, Peregrine folds his arms over his chest. “We like you enough to accept any renditions.” He leans forward to add in a whisper, “And, news has been swirling around town about how you helped Viggo with a certain ink-leaking problem, and that basically gives you a free pass. I’ve even unbanned him from my shop now that I don’t have to worry about him staining any of the fabric.”
Tilly stiffens next to me. “I was just doing my job,” she says kindly. “But I’ll keep performing in mind for next time. Maybe one of these days I’ll surprise you.”
Lucky for Peregrine, he takes that as the dismissal it is, and smiles at her once before moving off to join Katie and Caoimhín at their table.
Throughout the night, this scene repeats itself. Different creatures stop by our table to say hi, mostly to see Tilly or to offer her a drink, which she graciously denies each time. She’s clearly become a quick favorite in town with everyone, and I’m starting to feel like the odd one out.
Perhaps I was a bit quick to judge her on her first day, my prejudice exacerbated by a few misunderstandings on both our sides. Seeing her interact with everyone, being relaxed and funny and kind, makes me realize my reservations about Tilly might be due to what happened inmypast, rather than a reflection of her character.
Tilly has no reason to like me after how I’ve treated her, so I thought she’d move away from me at the first moment possible, but except for a quick visit to the bathroom, she has stayed next to me in the booth the entire time.
“Have you seen Calixta or Beryl?” Tilly asks, one hand on the stem of the single glass of wine she’s had all night as she squints at the mingling crowd. Beside her, the booth is empty, still keeping space for the newlyweds. Perhaps I should’ve told her they left a while ago and they’re definitely not coming back.
I take a gulp of my beer before answering, “Uhm, I think they may have snuck out early.”
“Really? When?” Tilly frowns and I resist another unwelcome urge to comfort her, to cradle her face between my hands and smooth the worry away with my thumbs.
Instead, the corner of my mouth lifts into a smirk. “Judging from the looks they gave each other while Calixta was on stage? I’m thinking they left right after that performance and went straight home. If they even made it that far.”
“That far? Oh. Oh!” Her tone changes as understanding dawns and the cutest blush blooms across her cheeks. “I thought they were coming back. Sorry, I’ve been in your space all evening. Let me scooch over and give you some room to breathe.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind having you close.”
Tilly pauses to stare at me, lips parted and eyes blinking slowly as she tries to make sense of my words. Compared to how I’ve acted toward her until now, that confession might come as a bit of a shock to her. I’m not taking the words back, though, even if it seems as if she’s expecting me to.
With a sharp intake of breath and the widening of her eyes, Tilly seems to understand that. “I think I should head home. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”
Before I can reply, Tilly scoots out of the booth and hurries toward the exit. Hand on the door, she looks back at me and exits before I even have a chance to wave goodbye.
“Ah!” The sound of Tilly’s yelp has me out of my seat and rushing to the door faster than my brain can process.
I burst outside and almost stumble over Tilly as she leans against the wall, one hand cradling her ankle.
“Are you okay?”Stupid question, Bodin. Of course she’s not okay. She’s hurt. See if she needs help.
Behind me, a few creatures pop their heads out the door to see what the commotion is about. When they see it’s Tilly, they try to crowd closer but I do my best to block them without making it too obvious.
Tilly scrunches her eyes closed, and says through gritted teeth, “I’m okay. Just forgot there was a step there and twisted my ankle. I’m more embarrassed than anything else. Thank you for your concern, though.”
