Bidding on the Orc Outcast: A Cozy Monster Romance by Honey Phillips

Author:Honey Phillips [Phillips, Honey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Posy’s sweet scent filled Varek’s head as she nestled against him. His heart thundered in his chest as he looked down at her contented face, but for once he didn’t feel the urge to run.

“The stars are beautiful tonight,” she sighed, pointing up at the clear winter sky.

His gaze followed her gesture, then dropped back to study her profile. The walls he’d built over the years felt paper-thin in her presence. “Not as beautiful as-”

He caught himself, ducking his head.

She turned to face him, brown eyes sparkling. “As what?”

The tips of his cheeks burned. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this flustered - or this alive. Words failed him, but she didn’t seem to mind his silence. Instead, she reached up and traced one of his tusks with gentle fingers.

“I like how expressive these are. They give away what you’re feeling, even when you try to hide it.”

His breath caught. No one had ever touched him with such casual affection, such acceptance. The rest of the world fell away - the whispers, the judgment, the years of isolation. There was only Posy, her small form fitting perfectly against his side, her touch melting away decades of hurt.

“I never thought…” He cleared his throat. “This evening has been…”

“Nice?” She supplied with a soft laugh.

“More than nice.” The words came out rough with emotion. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to imagine a different future - one that wasn’t defined by solitude and regret. One that included the vibrant woman beside him, bringing color and warmth to his carefully ordered world.

The door to the cafe opened again and Rona emerged with a metal tray loaded with food. She carried it over to the railing, then gave them a cheerful wave as she hurried back inside. She didn’t seem the least bit surprised to see them snuggling by the fireplace but he had the uneasy feeling that his godmother would soon know all about it - if she didn’t already.

“Why did she-” Posy’s eyes widened to saucers as a long dark tentacle emerged from the river and plucked the tray neatly off the railing, and her grip tightened on his arm. “Was that…?”

“That was Sam.” His lips twitched at her reaction. “He’s a kraken.”

The tentacle emerged again, this time moving more slowly. It waved in their direction before retreating beneath the surface, creating gentle ripples in the moonlit water.

“He’s been here longer than I have,” he said quietly. “He keeps to himself mostly and people tend to forget he’s there until he reaches up to help.” He paused, recognizing a familiar pattern. “I think he gets lonely sometimes, living under the river. But it’s easier than dealing with folks who don’t understand you.”

The words hit too close to home. He hadn’t meant to draw the parallel between himself and the solitary male, but there it was.

Her expression shifted from surprise to understanding, and she squeezed his hand. “Does anyone ever visit him?”

“We talk sometimes. He likes sweets - and beer - both of which are in short supply in the river so I’ll occasionally bring some by.

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