Page 59 of The Orc's Sweetheart
“Could I convince you to get on the cart? It’s a long walk and your ankle—”
She cuts me off with a shake of her head. “My ankle will be fine. If it’s not, it’s a concern for later.” Closing her eyes, Tilly takes a shaky breath. When she opens them again, there’s a deep worry there that speaks of more than this current situation. She gentles her voice, sounding like my normal Tilly for the first time since Katie flew into the clearing. “I’m sorry. I know you’re just looking out for me, and I appreciate that a lot, but I can’t think about anything else right now. My sole focus is Annamae and making sure she’s safe.”
“Okay.” I squeeze her hand once, then let go.
I’ll follow Tilly anywhere, support her however she needs, and right now, all she needs from me is showing her where we could possibly find Annamae.
We fall into step next to each other as we head west, silent as we keep our eyes peeled for any indication of Annamae. I strainmy ears too, listening to the island teeming with activity as a full-scale search takes place.
Overhead, Pierre flies, his gargoyle wings dark against the sky as he circles above a thicket of trees. In the distance, Aurelius flits from thicket to thicket, peering inside. The same scene multiplies as more winged creatures join the search from above.
When we pass the school, Caoimhín is outside with a few teachers, searching the grounds while kids’ faces press to windows.
Water ripples as Viggo travels along the coast, Marisol’s head popping up every now and then too as she searches along the crevices between the rocks.
Seeing all of Starry Hill come together for one creature, makes my heart swell with pride.
This is what community is all about.
Tilly and I continue on in silence, determined to reach our destination as fast as we can. Her anxiety is almost a palpable force driving her forward, and I wish I could alleviate it somehow, but it seems that my presence is the only thing she wants right now. If she needs anything else, I’ll make it happen.
A few minutes later, the thumping of feet running toward us reaches my ears half a second before the speeding creature comes into view, but it’s just long enough to place myself in front of Tilly.
Why am I so ridiculously protective of her today? I know she’s safe on the island and not one creature would dare harm her. Will I be this overprotective until I’ve officially claimed her, or will this be my nature from here on out?
In front of us, stands Arran, his face, hair, and entire body covered in a thick layer of sunscreen. If the situation wasn’t so tense today, I would be laughing. He must’ve used the entire bottle Tilly sent him.
Suppressing my smile, I say, “Arran, it’s nice seeing you out during the day.”
“Good morning, Bodin. And you, I assume, must be Nurse Tilly,” Arran says as Tilly steps out from behind me.
“That’s me,” Tilly says with a half smile. Her body is turned toward Arran but her eyes still dart around as she searches for Annamae.
Arran inclines his head. “Thank you for the sunscreen. Katie woke me and told me to apply it so I can assist with the search. That faerie is truly terrifying.”
I bite down on my lip to keep my grin from forming, Tilly’s own smile looking more genuine at the mention of tiny Katie waking a grumpy vampire from his sleep.
Tilly accepts his thanks. “You’re very welcome. I was still planning to come by the castle to introduce myself. Maybe I can stop by after we’ve found Annamae? Then I’ll teach you how much to apply so the bottle lasts longer.”
“I do not need to apply it all?”
Tilly shakes her head. “Not all at once.”
Arran takes Tilly’s hand, his eyes filling with emotion he’s never shown in all the years I’ve known him. “Thank you,” he rasps. “I’ve not been outside during the day in over four hundred years. I forgot what it felt like to have the sun on my skin.”
Tilly places her other hand on top of his. “I can’t imagine what today must feel like to you.”
A silent understanding of sorts passes between Tilly and Arran, a new friendship already forming. It will be good for them to get along. He’s her closest neighbor, after all.Ourclosest neighbor.
I place a hand around Tilly’s waist, knowing she’ll want to get back to the search soon. “We best be off now. We’re heading west on our search.”
Arran takes a step back. “I am also. I shall run ahead and see if anything odd calls my attention.”
“Thank—”
Before Tilly can finish her sentence, Arran is off, a gust of wind and the faint scent of sunscreen the only evidence he was even here.
Chapter 26
