Chapter Three
T he last thing I meant to do was cause Orobas distress.
Especially when we were standing together. In his house. Alone.
There were easily a million other things I would rather be doing to Orobas than dredging up painful memories. I know that thoughts of my own father bring on a healthy amount of anguish, so why would I want to do the same to Orobas?
My hand hasn’t moved from his shoulder and the look in Orobas’s eyes takes on a twinkle of mischief. I smile and open my mouth to ask what in the world he is thinking about when his lips are suddenly on mine. The connection has me frozen in place as I feel the nerves in our bodies pulling tighter and tighter, making our movements almost stiff. As if we are both afraid to lean too much into the turbulent emotions flying around inside of us to fully embrace each other.
Or maybe that’s just me?
Just like that my brain catches up and my nerves finally snap, before my body moves closer to his, begging to be touched. Reading my body language, he quickly obliges by sliding a hand into my hair, cradling the back of my head. The other makes its way across my lower back and with a gentle pressure, brings my body flush against his. The feeling of his warmth engulfing me and the hardness trapped between us has a moan slipping from my lips.
And with that one vulnerable sound, the tenor of the moment changes instantly. It’s taken from a deep romantic embrace to a fever of nips and dances of tongues as we devour one another’s desire.
I can’t breathe or think. There is no existence before this kiss and I know deep inside my soul that there will be no after.
There is only him.
Every tiny piece of my being... is his.
With how independent I have always been, the thought of existing for someone else should be terrifying. So then why is it that his hands have snaked down to grip my ass and with that tiny lift I jump and wrap my legs around his waist.
I don’t just want Orobas anymore, I need him.
Maybe it’s the passion of our lips or the grinding motion our bodies begin to take, but something snaps. Orobas pulls his lips from mine in a gasp and with quick movements, sets me on a table before throwing himself across the room.
My own breathing is labored as I watch him. The desire shines clear in his eyes, but there is something else there too. Fear perhaps?
“You do something to me, witch.” His voice is a deep rumble. The sound of it sends shivers across my skin as a smirk crosses my lips.
“You do something to me, demon.” His smile matches mine, but neither of us moves.
A knock on the door has both of us jumping. I am pretty sure he is also slightly shocked by his reaction, since with our enhanced hearing, we absolutely should have heard anyone before they even approached the door.
I slide to the floor and adjust my dress. Ignoring my unruly hair as that is not out of the ordinary. I watch Orobas make his way to the door while also adjusting himself. Part of me is proud of the reaction I’ve caused in such a man. Another part of me, however, is worried that his sudden physical disarray would be considered shameful. That being seen with... me would be shameful.
Given the current tsunami of varying emotions, I’m quite proud that I manage to keep my smile in place when Orobas turns to glance at me and gives a nod before reaching for the door handle. I do briefly wonder if perhaps I should hide somewhere instead so his guest doesn’t see me. Thankfully that nonsense though ends when I recall how we held hands through the entire walk in the village to his home.
Surely everyone already saw us together and have drawn speculations regarding our... friendship. Yes, friendship is a good word. A comfortable word.
“Ellswyth, did you hear me?” Orobas’s voice pulls me back to the conversation he is having with a plump older woman at the door.
“Hm?” Way to play it smooth. There is no way they knew I wasn’t listening now.
“I was asking if you would like a sandwich for lunch. Mendoryn is a baker and kindly brings sandwiches by on trade days. Since Neven had other plans, she has a spare available.” He holds up a small beeswax paper-covered loaf and smiles. Mendoryn on the other hand, does not look amused by my presence.
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Mendoryn.” The demon woman hands over another sandwich with a huff and a raised eyebrow, before turning and walking away from the house.
Well, I don’t think I made a new friend of Mendoryn. Actually, I am pretty sure the demoness would like to bake me and have the sexy demon leader all to herself.
When Orobas closes the door and turns back to me though, it’s clear his sights are purely preoccupied. He directs me to the table and I ignore the fact that my ass was just sitting on it after our heavy make-out session. Judging by the smirk on Orobas’s face though, I am pretty sure that is right where his thoughts have gone.
He stays silent as he helps me into a chair and sets the wrapped sandwich in front of me before snagging us drinks. When I unwrap the lunch I am pleasantly surprised by the lack of meats. It’s almost like a salad in a bread tube with a tangy and peppery-smelling sauce. After one bite I am ready to throw myself at Mendoryn’s feet in worship. The sauce is amazing and the vegetables are perfectly crisp. There is a cheese in the mix too that offers just a tiny bit of a creamy touch.
I will admit that I was a tiny bit worried at the prospect of eating a demon’s version of a sandwich. While they tend to thrive on heavy protein and meat diets, witches do not. In fact, witches in general are at minimum pescatarians. However, with my elven parentage, not even fish is safe with me. I tried it once and was so ill I was in bed for a week and my magick was completely unresponsive for an entire month.
There is an old story that is passed down from generation to generation that basically says witches can’t eat meat, or they face a punishment from the Gods. Something about balance where our sacred duties on Earth lie, but I have no clue if it’s true or not. I only know what happened to me. And I have no interest at all in testing those boundaries.
Being cut off from your magick is painful.
I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Orobas and I enjoy the meal in a quick companionable silence, and when we are finished, he snags the book on local flora before quickly ushering me out the door of his home and back to my village.
Unlike the trip to his home, the walk back to my village is not nearly as casually paced or within close proximity. Basically, Orobas holds the damn book between us as if using it for protection!
Ok, I’m sorry. I never should have placed blame on the book for the man’s actions. But it was infuriating how suddenly distant he was being with me.
Also unlike the first walk, this time Orobas is incredibly chatty. Every time I try to ask about the odd behavior, he simply rolls right over the conversation about another plant he sees.
When we reach my front door, Orobas thrusts the book at me and spins to walk away. I feel my anger boiling, but before I can verbalize the irritation that’s overwhelming me, Orobas gives a huge huff and quickly spins around, before stomping right back to me and stopping only inches away. The quick movement has me nearly stammering back.
Honestly, the entire situation is giving me whiplash.
“Do you still want to watch the meteor shower with me tonight?” Orobas’s question leaves me slightly puzzled.
“Yes. Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” He nods and for a moment I worry he won’t say anything else. That would certainly set an odd tone for our pending date.
“Do you understand that I may not be able to hold back like I did today? I may not be able to put the distance between us that you deserve?” His eyes are pleading and full of want.
So that was the cause of his distance. Did he not think I wanted him as well?
With our bodies close, it doesn’t take much for me to lean forward, pressing my breasts against his chest as look up into his eyes with all of the heat I can possibly inject. “Do you understand that I may not be able to hold back and give you the distance you deserve? Do you doubt my desire?”
Orobas shudders and closes his eyes, as his hands grip my shoulders. After a brief moment, his eyes open and he lets out a breath before stepping back with a nod and a wink.
“I’ll see you tonight then.” And without another word or pause, he practically runs from my doorstep.
Who would have thought that a tiny elven-witch like me, could make the big demon a puddle of confused emotions?