This is Gaelfr, Raye, and Kalfr, and they're from my new MMF book The Ex and the Orcs! They've all been estranged for years... but now they're realizing they're so much better together 💚
When she made a family with an orc... but he's sworn to share 😈
This is Gaelfr, Raye, and Kalfr, from my new book The Ex and the Orcs! Raye was furious about Kalfr's secret promise to Gaelfr... but she's starting to see the benefits 😁
They're by the fabulous Amarna, who did such a lovely job as always! 💚
When the furious orc shows up at your door... and announces he's your mate... AND your son's second father 😱
This gorgeous grumpy orc is Gaelfr of Clan Bautul, and he's from my new spicy MMF book The Ex and the Orcs! He's ready to barge in, take charge, and do some serious "tending" of his new mate 😈
(And despite his scary sleep-deprived face, he's an excellent Pa too!)
Gaelfr is by the always-incredible Helena Nikulina!
This hilarious comic is inspired by my new book The Ex and the Orcs! He's going to make her happy and safe, no matter what it takes. AND, he's getting her back together with her ex… and this time, he's joining in too 😈
Artwork is by the fantastic artist/author Katy Black, who did such a perfect job with them as always!!
And The Ex and the Orcs is out now in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and Kindle Unlimited! It's a spicy second chance MMF with all the barging, bossing, and tending 😁
English is not my native language, so there may be spelling and grammatical errors or strange word choices in the text.
TW: abandonment of a child. Reader is a witch and she has a cold heart. There may be mentions of pregnancy and childbirth in the story. Please, leave a comment if you need me to add anything else to TW.
Start reading from the prologue or from the previous part.
Summary: The witch goes to Orc Strongholds to find good foster parents for her daughter.
Trip to the stronghold had to be postponed. You didn't want the orc to return when you weren't home. Every time heard a horse neighing, you went to the window to see who it was. But after a couple of days or weeks, he didn't return, and it worried. You weren't afraid that the orc or an entire tribe of orcs was plotting revenge against. First, they wouldn't stoop so low, and second, they wouldn't want to mess with a witch like you or your coven.
And yet, the lack of any news about him made nervous. As you had learned, no orc tribes had come to the village to trade, and there were no camps nearby. The only conclusion was that he had come alone. If he had come alone, then he had left his tribe for you. This last part worried the most. You didn't want anyone to make such sacrifices for you. You certainly wouldn't leave coven for "love," because coven is family, protection, friends and you really hoped that the orc felt the same way about his tribe.
By the end of the month, there was still no news, no one came to take revenge. Decided that you would not see him again, so you can go on the road. This time, you left mother to look after other daughter. You put the basket back together and went towards stronghold. The road was hard. Baby cried a lot. She obviously didn't like this trip. Mother was right; should have given her away right after she was born, then your heart wouldn't ache at the sight of her tear-stained cheeks.
It was a little easier in the stronghold. You were able to spend the night in the tavern safely, and even little one, tired from the journey, slept through the night. The next day, you put daughter back in the basket with some things that might be useful to her in new family, and carefully covered the basket with a veil so that the baby wouldn't be visible. Then you went out into the city. There were flowers, paper lanterns, garlands, other decorations, souvenir stalls, and families... Lots of families with children. Since there weren't any holidays on this day, you assumed it was a local festival. You've forgotten how these noisy places feel. During the time you were pregnant and then took care of the children, you hardly left the house, so you enjoyed what saw. It was also a good opportunity to observe the locals. And maybe you'll meet some really nice people who won't mind taking child.
Orc Strongholds are a unique place. These didn't appear until a relatively short time ago, maybe thirty years ago, when the leader of one of orc tribes married a human woman. Initially, tribe was nomadic, during his wife's pregnancy, realized that this lifestyle was too challenging for her. As a result, tribe remained in one place until his wife gave birth. Over time, this temporary camp evolved into Orc Strongholds, and eventually, other similar locations emerged. These strongholds became a haven for orcs who were tired of their nomadic lifestyle. Or, more often, those who married someone of a different race.
This particular stronghold was brand new and it was really busy. New houses were being built, new people were arriving, you were wandering through the streets when came across a blacksmith's shop. It was filled with household items like knives, pots, a counter selling simple jewelry, rack of weapons... One of the blacksmiths was standing nearby, wearing an apron, trying to attach a two-handed axe to the wall. Behind the counter stood a young orc woman, cooing over a baby in a basket with wooden bird toys attached to the handle.
"Are you looking for something special?" She smiled when she noticed that you had entered. It was strange, her smile seemed... familiar? "We have jewelry with the strongholds emblem if you would like to purchase a souvenir."
"I'd like to buy a gift for mother. Do there have any jewelry boxes?" You replied, approaching the counter and placing the basket on it.
There was a distinctive noise from behind, as if something heavy had fallen and judging by the moan of pain, it had fallen on the leg of an orc in a blacksmith's apron. Woman jumped up, apologizing, she asked to wait here, then she helped the man to go to another room. You looked around the shop, a two-handed axe lay on the floor, a fly buzzed, music came from outside, the sound of a hammer striking an anvil. Little orc was muttering in its basket, trying to reach the toy birds. You took a closer look at him or her. The ears were more pointed and the nose looked more like a human child's, suggesting that one of the parents was an elf. When the woman returned, you pretended to be adjusting the veil on basket, she gave you a sidelong glance, as if she were looking at something extremely unusual, before placing several boxes on the counter, decorated with vines, birds, pomegranates. Typical patterns for elves.
"My husband makes them." Said the orc. "If don't like the design, we can make a custom painting."
"It's okay, I won't be in town for long."
You looked at one of the boxes from all angles. Needed to buy something for mother as a thank-you for her help. And... You looked at your basket, then at the orc's child's basket. It seemed like they were around the same age as your daughter.
"Is your husband an elf?"
"Yes, Ma’am." Her eyes seemed to light up. She picked up one of the boxes, showing it to you. "He makes everything you see in the store. Well, almost everything. My brother helps him, he makes engagement rings."
She looked over to where rings with runes engraved on them were lying in the corner next to the jewelry. The rings were large, meant for a strong green hand. You immediately realized that they were very similar to the ones your orc had brought you.
"So these are the wedding rings?" You said, just looking at the ring, you didn't really care about it, even though it looked like the same ring. "I'll take the box with the birds, how much is it?"
You were told the price, put the money on the counter and took the box wrapped in cloth. The woman wished you a good day, immediately turned her attention back to her child. She extended her large hand allowed the baby to play with fingers, causing him to make a sound that was a mix of giggles and growls. There was warmth in her eyes, you felt a pang of envy, as doubted you looked the same way with own daughters.
"Actually, I'd like to take another one. Do have any?"
You tried to smile, soften voice, sound more welcoming. It was difficult to tell if you succeeded, but at least received a smile in return, which relaxed you a bit. When the orc woman left for another room, you made a decision: the blacksmith's wife would be a good mother for your daughter. Additionally, blacksmith families were generally well-off. In the worst-case scenario, she would find a suitable home for baby. Lifting the veil on the basket, you took one last look at daughter. You probably wouldn't remember her face for long, but for some reason, your heart wanted to see her one last time. Trying to be quiet, you left the forge, leaving the basket on the counter. Fortunately, there were no doorbells. Once outside, you felt a sense of relief, and all that remained was to return home.
Pulling the hood of cloak over head, holding the box in hands, you walked away from the store. The festival was still in full swing, the number of visitors had only increased. You hurriedly crossed the square to get as far away as possible. However, plans to leave the city were thwarted when a hand rested on your shoulder, a familiar voice called out your name. Your orc stood in front of you, wearing a blacksmith's apron, with his hand still on your shoulder and a basket in his other hand.
Your eyebrows furrowed, and he pulled his hand away.
"I didn't know you were here. I swear! I... I..." He looked panicked, embarrassed, confused and guilty all at the same time. "You left basket at the store. Sister asked me to return it to you."
He held the basket out in front of him with both hands, as if it might catch fire or be something he shouldn't be holding. You put on most displeased expression, reached for the basket. As you touched it, a loud, ringing cry echoed through the air. With a heavy sigh, you pulled the basket towards, intending to take it and leave, the orc suddenly clutched it tightly. Looking up, saw him staring at you with a furrowed brow, as if asking a silent question. You didn't bother to justify yourself to him, but instead let out a frustrated groan of annoyance.
"Well, if you want to hold it, then hold."
You shrugged shoulders, removing the veil from the basket to look at daughter. The orc's eyebrows raised in surprise, then frowned and jumped up again in surprise, as if his brain couldn't decide which emotion to use. You leaned over the basket, reaching out to touch the baby. Touched her cheek, feeling an unnatural warmth. She was always warm, even too warm, like her father, but now it was too hot. Perhaps a shadow of panic crossed your face, because the orc, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.
"With him... With her? Well, is something wrong?"
You bit your lip. Being in the strongholds with a sick baby was not what you wanted. And now it turned out that your orc was also here. Made the most unfriendly face again and muttered "it's none of your business" and pulled the basket towards you. Suddenly, he just picked it up, the baby was still crying, he looked at you with a frown and even a stern look.
"No, I'm holding it, so it's my business."
He pursed his lips nervously. He didn't look good with a frown, and it was clear that he wasn't used to acting this way. You, too, were surprised to see him like this.
"You and the basket are coming with me."
To be continued?
Hi ⭐
So this is the second chapter. I promised that would learn the orc's name in this chapter, but decided to shorten the text because I thought the chapter was already too long. In fact, I have a dream of writing five thousand-word chapters one day, because think it's the perfect size for a chapter, but my skills aren't yet up to it.
However, I will still reveal the orc's name, as it feels awkward to simply refer to him as an orc. So, his name is Bagol. This is the "surname" of my first spouse from Skyrim, Moth gro-Bagol. Don't forget to water the plants and drink water yourself 💚
They're her worst enemies. And the fathers of her son... 😅
My new book The Ex and the Orcs is out today, ahhhh!!! 🎉 I've spent over a year writing this one, and it is a huge monster romance epic, full of big brutal orcs, bad decisions, vengeance and reconciliation, and lots of messy, spicy, ritualistic fun 😈
I am so, so grateful to all my generous readers and supporters who have shared your love for my orcs, and helped to make this book possible! 💚
And cover artwork of our two grumpy orc heroes is by the spectacular Skadior Art!
Kalfr, Raye, and Gaelfr are from my new book The Ex and the Orcs, coming out June 12! After a huge fallout between them, they're working their way back together again... and learning a lot about each other in the process 😈
