Page 58 of The Orc's Sweetheart
“You do too.”
Beck joins us in the doorway as we watch Tilly. “I’d like to have that someday, too.”
“What?” Ren and I ask.
“Happiness,” Beck says quietly, showing a rare hint of vulnerability.
I place a hand on Beck’s shoulder. “You’ll find someone. I’m sure of it.”
Across the clearing, a ball of orange zooms toward Tilly. Without a second thought, I charge forward to protect my female from whatever threat is approaching, the other males close on my heels.
We form a barrier in front of Tilly, the hairs on my arms standing on end as I place myself in the center, ready to defend her from whatever tries to cause her harm.
The orange ball slows down and Katie pops into her larger form. It takes a while for my mind to catch on that she isn’t an actual threat, but my hackles remain raised as I take in her flustered expression.
Something’s wrong.
“Tilly! Tilly!” Katie calls frantically and tries to peer around me, but I can’t get my feet to move. Logically, I know the monarch fairy isn’t dangerous, but the pitch of her voice keeps me from relaxing.
Tilly calms me with her touch, gliding her hand under my shirt and up my back. She keeps her hand pressed against my bare skin as she tucks herself under my arm.
“Hi, Katie,” Tilly says warmly. “Did you get my note?”
“Of course, we did. That’s how I knew where to find you, silly. I’d like all the details on you and Bodin at a later date, of course. First, we need everyone’s help to find Annamae.”
Tilly stiffens under my arm and one hand flies to her mouth. “What happened?”
Katie starts pacing, her wings fluttering, lifting her off the ground every few steps. “Richard is absolutely frantic. He came to The Bandaged Heart this morning. He says Annamae went out to commune with the trees, something about dancing withthem or hugging them because they looked a bit sad. But she didn’t specify where she was going and now it’s been two days and she hasn’t been back home. She usually stays away for one day max, unless she’s with Richard and then they can stay out together for many days, but he says he’s checked all her usual spots and he still can’t find her and asked if we can help. He’s scared something might have happened to her. Doc Calla sent me to tell you while she mobilizes everyone in town to start searching. She said she’ll wait at the clinic in case Annamae is found and needs help, but that you’d know what to do.”
Each word out of Katie’s mouth has Tilly’s shoulders more rigid. The final words have her frozen solid. I gaze down at Tilly to ask if she’s okay, but all the color is drained from her face and her eyes have a faraway look in them. With one deliberate blink, I can see the shutters closing on whatever emotions were creeping in, and Tilly’s whole demeanor shifts to nurse mode with the tilt of her chin.
Stepping forward, Tilly stands in the center and faces Katie first. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. Katie, I’d like for you to go around to all the cottages and see if you can rally anyone to help us search, especially anyone with wings who might be able to get an aerial view. Also anyone with strong senses who might smell her or hear her. The more creatures we have looking for her, the sooner we’ll find her. ”
Katie gives her a quick salute. “I’m on it.” Then, she’s off in an orange blur.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Katie utter such a short sentence. Either Richard must be really worried, or there’s some bigger issue I’m not aware of.
Pivoting on her good ankle, Tilly addresses Beck next, “Could you ready your boat and whatever goes with it in case this is an emergency and Annamae needs to be transported to Cape Easton University Hospital? I hope it’s not needed, but it’s best if we’re prepared.”
Beck nods and starts walking away, but Tilly doesn’t spare him another glance, having already moved on to Ren. “I know you don’t go into town much, but if you’re okay with it, please collect our first aid kit from Doc Calla and meet us at the dock.”
Ren gives her a solemn nod. “I can do that.” Determination burns in his eyes as he adjusts his glasses, then speeds down the cobbled path leading toward town.
The only other creature left, Tilly turns to me. “Bodin, you can—”
“—follow you. I go where you go,” I state succinctly.
Something is off about Tilly. I can understand that this could potentially be a serious situation, and I hope not, but the blank expression on her face makes me think there’s more to it. It’s not the right time to push her or ask any questions, so I’m just going to stay close and support her the best way I can.
“Okay,” she accepts, then allows herself a single deep breath as she stares around the clearing.
I want to smooth her knitted brows with my thumbs, but instead, I stick my hands in my pockets, letting her lead me in the way she needs right now.
“Bodin, you know this island better than me. Can you show me the places you think Annamae might have gone to? I think perhaps a heavily wooded area specifically if she went to commune with trees. We’d need to be on the lookout forany fresh growth or something out of the ordinary that might indicate her location. Also, do you have a saw, big shears, or a hatchet, just in case she’s trapped somewhere?”
“There’s a hatchet in my cart, but the other tools are in my workshop. I can run and get them if they’re needed once we find her. I think we should head west first. Richard and Annamae usually stick to the east of the island, and there’s a woodland beyond the paths over there that Richard might not have searched yet.”
“Great.” Tilly starts walking, and I reach for her hand before she rushes off.
