The Orc's Rose: Chapter Three (special preview)

Chapter Three:

My first night with Ozren was a rough one. I had gotten used to sleeping in many places during my journey here, and I figured I could sleep anywhere. But Ozren’s massive bed felt like an island, and all around me was danger.

I slept alone, and Ozren slept elsewhere. I tossed and turned all night, often glancing towards the locked door. Ozren didn’t seem like the type, but I had not not been in Obresh long, nor did I know much about the Reaping. I found some fitful sleep by dawn, but it didn’t last long.

I heard Ozren singing from beyond the door, and the scent of food lured me from bed. I’d been too nervous last night to eat anything, so my stomach was close to eating itself. Unlocking the door I peered outside, slowly inching my way out into the hallway. Ozren’s singing was pitchy, but his deep voice sounded nice. I peeked into the kitchen, seeing him at the stone with a cast iron pan in hand.

He caught me looking and he broke into a smile. “Good morning, my Rose! Did you sleep well?” He took the iron pan and spilled eggs out from inside onto plates.

I stepped out more, looking down at my feet but the smell of the food was so good. “Fine,” I lied.

“Good, I’m glad. I want you to be comfortable. This is your home.” He waved me in. “Come, sit, I’ve made you a hearty breakfast. We’ll go into town later to collect your things.”

I inched into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table where Ozren placed an overflowing plate of food in front of me. Eggs, toast, thick slabs of bacon, were in epic proportions on my plate, and not placed too prettily either.

“Thank you, you really didn’t need to go all out.” I said, despite knowing I could never finish off such a plate by myself.

“Thinking nothing of it, my Rose.” Ozren smiled brightly, sitting down beside me with his own copious plate.  “It’s going to be a good day today.”

I watched egg yellow ooze down onto the plate, soaking into the toast and coating the end of a piece of bacon. I took a bite, nibbling and not taking large bites like Ozren was.

“You eat so politely, my Rose.”

I didn’t realize he was watching me. My face must have turned red in an instant. “I don’t want to be rude.”

“Eating isn’t rude. It’s probably one of the most basic instincts we got. Hell, even raccoons eat and you’ve seen them.” He takes a piece of his toast, dunking it in egg like a raccoon would to water.

It made me giggle, and Ozren’s face lit up. I don’t know what it is about me that made him choose me. Maybe I was an easy target or he thinks I’m easy to handle. Whatever the reason, I don’t know how comfortable I will be until I know. I did like Ozren though, at the bar he was kind if not boisterous. He had nice hands, even with the rough pads of his fingers. If I could remind myself of that, perhaps I could at least sleep tonight.

Ozren leaned in. “Was the bed not comfortable? Were the blankets not warm enough?” He asked with an urgent tone that bordered on worry.

I hurriedly chewed through a bite so I could answer him. I cupped my hand over my mouth. “Everything was fine.”

“Just fine?”

I swallowed and nodded at him. “I had a hard time sleeping. But the bed was comfortable.”

Ozren’s expression shifted and his mouth opened slightly. “I could have slept outside if that was-”

I almost dropped my fork. “No, it wasn’t you! I was overwhelmed, so I just laid there. The bed was perfect, the blankets were nice, it’s just me.” I realized how fast and terrified my voice was and I sat there waiting for something to happen.

Ozren’s shoulders relaxed and he chuckled. A grin appeared and he reached out across the table, taking hold of my hand. “I was nervous too, if that helps.”

“Really?” My voice cracked.

Ozren nodded, a somber expression came to his deep, dark eyes. “I was scared I’d get up in the morning and you would be gone.”

My mouth opened in shock. “I wouldn’t do that. Not to you.”

His smile grew, and Ozren leaned in closer towards me. He held my hand tights and gave me a look where there was a moment of calm in my mind. I smiled back at him.

“We will have to take this day by day, my Rose. Together. Day by day,” he said with a gentle voice. “Now eat up. We’ll go into town and fetch all your things, and when we get back, we’ll start to work on how to make this your home.”