Orc Girlfriend: Lyneth 2 (special preview)

I had seen the new pottery studio from a distance. I had wanted to be polite and keep my distance before Lyneth and Llyr were ready to show it off. I knew how important a workspace was, and how personal it could be when creating the right one.

When I arrived, Nicolai and Mila were already crafting something under Llyr’s tutelage while Lyneth was preparing the kiln. Her back was turned as I came in and she was busy loading up the wood inside.

“Emmon, welcome,” llyr said. “Have you come to cristen the kiln with us?” He was sitting beside Mila, who was having trouble getting her piece to form. Nicolai on the other hand seemed to take to the wheel as well as he did a sword.

Lyneth turned and smiled as I came into the room, wiping sweat from her brow. “Would you like me to show you how to work the wheel?”

I suddenly felt very self concious. I had tried to dress nice to celebrate their accomplishments, but now I felt so unsure of myself. Was it because I was now horribly aware of Lyneth’s advances. For sure. But was there an underlying current of my own attraction at fault? Also possible.

“I think I can figure it out.” I sat down beside Nicolai who was beaming.

“I’m making a vase for Mama,” Nicolai said proudly.

Mila glared up at him. “He’s showing off.”

“You’re doing just fine Mila.” Llyr said gently.

Lyneth approached and prepared my wheel with water and the raw porcelain. It wasn’t the color I had expected it to be. “Okay, use the pedals and you can go as fast or slow as you need. And add water-” She starts to pour water over my hands. Lyneth had her arms around me, towering over me, leaning down. She was a lot of woman for a guy like me.

Mila suddenly got a smirk on her face and she reminded me of her Grandmother instantly. “Unsure how to go about things without a hammer and a chisel, Mr. Northtook?”

The Polar royal family scares me for many reasons, but none so much as the ability they have to change their aura on a dime. Mila, I feel, is going to be terrifying once she matures. “Not so much as I am used to my medium moving like this.”

“I like it when they squirm,” Mila titters.

“All young ladies should,” Lyneth laughed. She leaned back over me. “Now, you can’t be too rough with the clay. Yes, you need to work it, but you always need to remember how delicate it will be when complete.”

“I am aware.” My cheeks feel hot, especially with her so close.

I manage to craft a small bowl, one with high walls that I think would serve me well with storing small bits in my studio. Once the pieces dry a bit, they’re painted and glazed for the kiln.

I notice a drawing pad that’s open, and inside there are notes and sketches that lyneth has made. There are notes written inside by Katrina, and sketches that go along with them to show the progress Lyneth has gone through to get the right design for the royal collections.

“No peeking.” Lyneth closes the drawing pad and sets it away. “It all has to be a surprise.”

“I beg your pardon, I didn’t realize.” I glanced back to the kiln. “It’s amazingly well constructed. You should be proud.”

“I can’t take the credit. Llyr and the masons did all the really hard work. I just designed the interior.” She smiled with pride towards her creation. “Our father built our first kiln all by himself. He even moved his beloved chickens in order to make room for it for us. It’ll always be my favorite, but this one is pretty close.”

“I wish I had such kind memories of my father,” I huffed.

Lyneth looked down at me. “What do you mean?”

I grimaced and shrugged. “He didn’t like me pursuing an art career. That’s the jist of it. You don’t need to know much else.”

“Shame,” she tutted. “Seeing what you have created, I couldn’t imagine not feeling a sense of pride in you.”

My heart jolted.