Page 2 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas
Cas could feel his siblings’ stares.
Cas shrugged and laughed. “It was a mutual decision.” The lie rolled off his lips.
He’d begged Xavi. He’d pleaded. “Are you really just goingto throw us, throw me away after three wonderful years together?” Cas’s pathetic voice still rang in his ears. Tears had streamed down his face.
Xavi had stood naked in front of Cas. The dryad Xavi had just fucked got dressed behind him, casting Cas guilty glances. The memory of their groans and moans and their bodies slapping together still kept Cas awake at night.
“Surely we can work this out?” Cas had asked even whilst the scent of Xavi fucking someone else lingered in the air.
Fuck, I’m pathetic. Desperate and pathetic.
“There were no hard feelings or anything like that.” Cas smiled. “Our relationship had just run its natural course. You know how it is.”
Lacy didn’t, of course. She was nineteen, and her longest relationship had been less than a month.
Lacy studied him. They all studied him.
Cas rolled his eyes. “You’re all being so dramatic, which is my job! He really was just too serious and dull for me.” Cas picked up another cookie and took a bite.
This time, Grady didn’t say a word.
The bell tinkled. A customer came into the bakery.
Thank fucking Christmas carols!
“Well, this Christmas pixie needs to go spread some holiday cheer.” Cas flew to the counter in the front of the bakery. He smiled at the young man approaching.
“Merry Christmas! Welcome to the Magic Bakery. I’m the Christmas pixie, and I’ll be serving you today.” His cheeks ached as his smile stretched. “What can I get for you?”
“Wow! You look incredible!” The man gushed at the sight of Cas.
Cas preened, letting the compliment brighten his mood. He would not let Xavi casting him aside and cheating on him ruin the season.
For a brief second, an image of the dryad on his back, legsspread, Xavi ploughing into him, flashed before his mind. “Xavi,” the dryad had cried out.
But Cas’s face didn’t betray him. He nodded and grinned as the customer continued to compliment him.
“You’re just not who I want, Casimir,” Xavi had said as he cupped Cas’s tear-stained cheek. “I’m sorry. But that’s the truth.”
Cas swallowed and forced his smile wider.
He would be the brightest, most fucking festive Christmas pixie the world had ever seen. He would be full of holiday fucking cheer if it fucking killed him.
CHAPTER 2
Graal trudged through the snow. Thick fat flakes fell onto his shoulders, hair, and face. He huffed, warm breath clouding the air before him.
Fucking snow. Fucking darkness. Fucking winter.
He just wanted to be home and out of this bloody never-ending cold. His arms and legs ached from hauling rocks all day. Stone dust clung to his skin and clothes. Graal was done. He just wanted to wash, eat, and be in his apartment.
Not that his apartment was warm or comfortable, just a dank and crappy rented room. But it was better than being outside in this snow and darkness. Of course, he didn’t notice the lack of daylight in the room he rented. He didn’t have a fucking window.
Graal plodded along the streets to the Magic Bakery. He shoved the door open. A wave of warmth washed over him accompanied by the scent of freshly baked bread and warm sugar. Graal took in the Christmas tree, shiny baubles, garlands, and all the other festive decorations around the room.
Shit. Christmas.Was it Christmas already?
Graal thought for a second. December first. He supposed that meant Christmas. Graal’s lip curled. All the frivolity, nonsense, and unnecessary cheer just annoyed him. This was the coldest, darkest, and most unpleasant time of the year. What was there to celebrate?
