Page 15 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas
He thought from the way Graal looked at Cas that the orc might be attracted to him.
“Look who is here!” Lacy whispered loudly in his ear.
Cas jumped. “Shitting spells, Lacy! Don’t do that.”
She laughed. “Sorry.” Lacy didn’t look the least bit sorry.
“You want to take your break now? Take as long as you need. Jack, Grady, and I can handle the stall.” She gestured to their brothers. Jack served, and Grady placed the dough into the piping-hot oven. “The crowds have died down.”
Cas glanced at Graal, who seemed to hesitate a few steps away from their stall. He had his shoulders hunched, brows furrowed, as he glanced around the Christmas markets.
“Thanks. I’ll be back in a little while.” Cas took off his apron.
“Take the whole night off if you want!” She smiled. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She paused. “But considering Orim and I met up last night and had a lot of fun behind some of the stalls, that’s not saying much.” She pointed. “If you walk to the edge of the markets and go behind the stalls, you’ll get all the privacy you need.”
“Lacy!” Cas protested.
“What? I’m nineteen! I know what I’m about.” Lacy grinned.
Cas narrowed his gaze. Should he say something or give advice? After all, he was several years older than her.
Then again, he couldn’t blame her for fooling around atthe Christmas markets. Lacy and Cas shared a room in the family apartment. He definitely preferred Lacy and Orim having fun somewhere he couldn’t see them. And he definitely didn’t want to bring Graal back to his room, where his younger sister would be.
Maybe she was onto something.
“I’ll be back soon,” he said and left.
CHAPTER 9
Cas flew towards him, a sparkling vision of gold. His slinky gold tunic hugged his torso. Gold trousers encased his slender legs. Gold painted his lips, cheeks, and eyelids. He even wore long gold dangly earrings with little glass baubles on the end. He cast a pale, shining aura around him, brighter now that it was night.
Graal had no words for the beauty that was Cas.
And as Cas flew towards Graal, he smiled at Graal as if Graal weren’t some hideous monster.
Graal took a breath and smiled back as best he could. He wasn’t used to smiling. He couldn’t fathom why Cas would be happy to spend time with him.
“You made it! I so hoped you would.” Cas reached out and gripped Graal’s hands.
His hands felt so small compared to Graal’s. And Cas seemed genuinely pleased Graal had come. Graal had thought Cas might forget he’d invited him or hadn’t really meant the invitation. He’d thought maybe Cas was just being polite.
Graal thought about not coming. Over and over he’ddebated with himself. He didn’t want to turn up and see the shock on Cas’s face if Cas hadn’t actually meant the invitation.
But it turned out he had.
Graal had been uncertain about coming to a place that would be filled with mirth and pretty decorations. Honestly, Graal felt out of place. But looking at Cas’s smile, he couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be.
Graal was glad he’d come. Especially because Cas had seemed so off after seeing the incubus. He’d tried to put on a brave face. But Graal could see through it to the hurt. It almost made Graal want to follow the striking incubus down the street and beat him into the snow.
And then Cas had asked him to come to the markets and had touched his hand.
Of course Graal had said yes. How could he not?
Cas tilted his head. Half of Cas’s hair had been woven into an elaborate hairstyle. The rest hung loose, and the white and pale-blue hair slid across the gold material he wore. “Let me show you the markets.” Cas linked his arm with Graal’s as if touching Graal was the most natural thing in the world.
Graal felt so aware of Cas beside him, so close. Cas flew above the ground as they moved through the markets. With their height difference, this brought their heads to about the same level. Graal kept glancing down at their joined arms.
“I want you to really enjoy the Christmas markets tonight!”
