Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

PIPER

T he week's passed by in both a whirlwind of planning and preparations and cooking—and the best sex I've ever had in my life.

Not to mention the most caring, attentive male I've ever been in a relationship with.

Ga'Rek's quickly become my obsession, and the best part is, there is no question of whether or not it's mutual.

He hardly lets me lift a finger.

I hum a tune to myself as the charmed yeast pretzels come out of the oven. They're a last-minute addition to the fall festival feast line-up, a tiny appetizer to be passed around as party-goers filter into the makeshift tent we've erected over the town square.

It was a real pain to get it up, but the orange and black striped fabric our town's elven tailor managed to whip up looks incredible, lit from within with hundreds of charmed star-shaped lanterns.

Not only will the tent keep us out of the elements, should temperamental Mother Nature decide to wreak havoc on us, but it also has turned the entire town square into a cozy, romantic venue.

I couldn't have done it without my coven sisters, without Ga'Rek, and without the rest of the town.

Every single being in Wild Oak Woods has come together to make this the best autumn festival yet, and while I am still incredibly stressed—I can breathe. I can relax; it's not just on my shoulders.

I am full of love for the creatures who have lifted me up, for Ga'Rek, for convincing me to ask for help, and for my fellow witches, who would have forced me to let them help whether or not Ga'Rek had been here.

It's been one of the best weeks of my life, and I know he's the one I have to thank for it.

I look to where he's normally working at his prep station, dominating the entire back counter, but he's not there.

I forgot.

Ga'Rek left early this morning, saying he had a last-minute errand to run.

A happy smile curves my lips at the mere thought of the soft way he kissed me goodbye.

"Piper," Wren calls from the front of the store.

Fenn the fox scampers into the back kitchen immediately, tilting his red-furred head and putting a white paw up the air. I chuckle, then toss him a bit of pretzel still hot from the oven.

He yips as he catches it mid-air, then rubs against my calves in thank you as he munches it.

"I'm back here," I yell. "Fenn already found me."

"Of course he did. And I'm sure he acted like he was starving."

"He would never," I tell her. I wipe my hands off on the tea towel, beaming at her and leaning my lower back against the countertop. "How are you?"

"Fantastic," she says. Wren bounces on the balls of her feet, a cloth pouch in her hands. "I brought you something. I made it."

Delight races through me. "You made me something?"

A gift from an enchantress witch is no small thing.

"It's the least I could do. I was inspired—" Her face falls as she goes quiet.

Bemused, I stare at her. "What? What's wrong?"

"I had a strange dream a few nights ago. That's all. Anyway, I dreamed that you were wearing these earrings, in that dream, and I decided you needed them."

My forehead furrows. Dreams are not always dreams, and I know Wren knows that as well as I do, so I just stare at her and wait.

She sighs, her chest heaving as she rolls her eyes towards the ceiling. "I know."

"You know what?"

"I know that you're going to tell me dreams can be visions," she says in an annoyed voice.

"I just want my jewelry," I tell her. "I can lecture you on dreams, too, or you can give me the gift and I promise to shut up."

She huffs a laugh at that. "Fair enough." The pouch is a deep sage velvet, and I take it from her gingerly.

"I love presents," I tell her, excited. "I know that's probably not the right thing to say right now, so thank you. But I love your art, and I am so thrilled you thought of me."

"That sounds like exactly the right thing to say to me. Keep talking." She preens, and I laugh.

"Go on," she says, snagging a soft pretzel from the tray, then tossing it between her hands and blowing. "Open it."

She doesn't have to tell me twice.

I pull at the corded drawstring, untying it and then delicately slipping a hand inside.

I gasp as I pull out a pair of lovely earrings, silver vines with tiny moonstone flowers.

"They're climbers. They sit vertically on your lobe and go up the sides. It's an elven design I decided to make witchy."

"They are gorgeous," I tell her.

They are, too, and she beams as I fasten them on my ears. "What charm did you use to enchant them?"

I can feel it, whatever the charm is, but what it's doing is unclear.

"Just whatever good thoughts I had while making them," she says, but her voice is unsure. "I've been working pretty hard, you know? I can't… remember. But I'm sure it's fine."

Her face clouds momentarily, and a feeling of foreboding passes through me.

The front bell rings, and Ga'Rek's heavy footfalls sound.

"You're back," I exclaim, my hands falling away from the earrings. "Good, it's nearly time to get ready and head to the festival. The duchess should be here soon."

Ga'Rek finally appears in the doorway, which he has to duck to get under.

I love how big my orc is, how safe I feel with him around, how protected.

He's carrying a brown paper parcel tied up with strings, and his cheeks are the deeper green color that means he's either excited or embarrassed.

"Oooh, looks like I'm not the only one who brought a gift," Wren says, waggling her eyebrows. "Okay, I'll let you two have some privacy. Make sure you wear the earrings tonight."

Her voice changes slightly, more commanding, but she wears the same smile as she slips out of the kitchen through the back door. "See you soon."

I frown at her retreating figure, something dancing in the back of my mind that I can't quite place.

"Here," he says, his voice gruff and not a little bit shy. "I'm sorry I haven't had the opportunity to get you something before now."

I laugh, then tsk at him. "Exactly, how dare you spend all week giving me the best sex of my life, making me feel loved, and helping me prepare for the festival? Uncalled for."

"I'm glad you feel loved," he whispers.

I hold my breath, waiting.

"I know it's early, I know I shouldn't say anything, but orcs… we aren't like humans. You are it for me, Piper, and I am falling in love with you."

I knock the parcel out of his hands and jump on him, showering his face in delighted kisses. "I love you too, Ga'Rek. I'm happier than I've ever been, and I like knowing where I stand with you. I don't want a human, or a fae, or a minotaur, or another orc. I want you. Only you."

I kiss him on the mouth, and it deepens, until he finally pushes me away with a laugh.

"We didn't work this hard to have you be late for your big event," he says.

"Fine." I roll my eyes. "Besides, you promised you were going to have your way with me at the event. Might as well save it for the right moment."

A guttural growl comes out of him, and I give him my best seductive smile.

Which, of course, makes him laugh.

"Here," he says, picking up the parcel from the floor and handing it to me.

"You do not have to buy me presents," I tell him.

He starts to say something, but I hold up a hand. "But I am very glad you did."

We both laugh at that, and I untie the string, then attack the paper wrapping.

Carefully, I lift the lid off the box, and my breath catches at what's inside.

"You got the dress?" I ask, my voice climbing an octave.

"I got the dress. That night, in fact. There was no way I wouldn't have gotten it for you." He grins.

I melt.

The midnight-soaked dress, spangled with silver thread stars, sits in the box, ready to be worn.

"I'm wearing it tonight," I announce.

"Good," Ga'Rek says, now grinning slyly. "Because I fully plan to fuck you in it. We don't have time now, though, so consider this a warning."

I glance at the clock on the wall and swear. "You're right. We need to hurry. We don't have time at all."

"Relax, sweetheart. You're going to be perfect as always."

"I am not always perfect," I say, grinning at his absurd statement.

He just stares at me seriously, cupping my cheek with his hand. "You are to me."