AllFreeNovel
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“I’mtiredof monsters who don’t listen. I’m thirsty. I’m hungry. I think I want beef jerky, but I’m shit out of luck finding that here, and now I’m beginning to realize I may never have my favorite snacks again. Most of all though, I’m a little pissed the server isn’t coming back because you’re over here trying to pick a fight.” I sigh and place my hand on Basil’s arm. “Can’t we all get along?”
“No.”
Well that’s rude.
“Funny. Orcus saidnotoo.”
Basil flicks his gaze over my head and looks at Orcus. “Yourmateis either brave or stupid.”
I mean, I’m pretty sure it’s both, but I tip my chin up, pretending like it’s 100% bravery instead of a 50/50 split. The way he said mate sounded a whole lot like an accusation too.
“Leave, Basil.” There’s a certain deadliness to Orcus’ voice that wasn’t there before and protectiveness zings through the bond, enveloping me.
Basil takes a few steps away from me. “I meant what I said.” Those snake eyes cut to me. “I’ll be sure to let your father know about this… development.”
Orcus steps around the table with a growl. The air thickens with the promise of violence.
“Are you trying to become a new pair of boots?” Who am I kidding, the snake isn’t listening to me. It was worth a shot though. I shake my head and focus my energy on my monster. His face is scrunched and his fingers curl into giant fists big enough to break these walls and pummel the snake into the ground. “Orcus.”
He moves toward Basil. Patrons scramble out of their seats and away from the snake. Oh, hell no. I’m not letting a fight get in the way of food. I move in front of the ogre, and he jerks to a stop to keep from bowling me over.
“Step aside, little flower.”
“No.”
His nostrils flare. “You will be hurt if you don’t move.”
“He’s not worth it.” I place my hand on his hip. “He’s much shorter than you are.”
“He is, isn’t he?”
Someone nearby barks out a laugh. Orcus’ lips twitch, and I hear a distant hiss before a door opens and shuts. Guess our slithery guest has made his exit. Finding my way back to my own emotions, which aren’t nearly as angry as Orcus’, I push some of my exhaustion and hunger in his direction.
The fight leaves his body. “You win this time, little flower.”
Good. I’m too hungry to deal with a fight. I smile. “Should we sit?”
He grabs my hand, leading me back to the table and placing me on his thigh like he had before. No one bothers us again, and I can’t help but wonder how Orcus knows the king and what station he had at court. He said he was a great warrior, but how great of a warrior must he be to be in what sounds like a huge disagreement with the king?
* * *
This isthe moment I’ve waited for my entire life. An inn. One bed. Forced proximity. I take a deep breath.It’s okay, Daisy. You’ve read this trope a thousand times. Just get into bed.We’ve been sharing the bed at the cave, but this is different. There are probably empty rooms available. He could easily leave me for the night. He doesn’t. I try not to think about how that makes me feel.
Orcus strips down to a simple pair of shorts and drops onto the bed. All that gorgeous green skin. All those muscles. And those tusks. Maybe it’s because they’re so prominent, or maybe it’s because they’re so damn smooth, but whatever it is, I know that they’re probably my favorite feature of his. When did I start liking green skin and tusks? On Earth, I had a type… or at least I thought I did, and Orcus is none of what I thought I wanted in a partner. But heisrather handsome.
Orcus squints at me. Those beautiful navy irises might be my second favorite feature. “Are you going to stand there all night?”
“There are probably more rooms.”
He lifts his eyebrows. “You want me to leave?”
“Do you want to leave?” I tuck my hands behind my back.
He scratches his jaw. “No.”
My stomach flips, and I bite my lip, nodding and taking a brave step forward. “Then, we should have some ground rules.”
“Ground rules?” He lifts an unimpressed eyebrow.
