We move into the kitchen together. He immediately moves toward the eggs. “How about I handle these?” Not a question.
“I can make eggs.”
“I’m sure you can. But I’m here, so let me help.” Translation: I’ll make sure they’re done right.
I resign myself to bacon and toast duty. At least he’s not criticizing openly.
We work in comfortable silence. Years of hunting and cooking together show in our coordination. Father cracks eggs expertly and seasons them perfectly. I handle the bacon, multiplying the servings from two to four, which is an easy adjustment.
Meanwhile, the both of us overhear Mother’s interrogation.
“So you’ve been living here a week now? How wonderful! And you adopted a kitten? How sweet! Keric never had pets before.”
Anna’s handling it well, answering between Mother’s rapid-fire questions, laughing at appropriate moments. She’s nervous but genuine, all those years of teaching and social situations with other humans, coming in handy.
“Where’s your family, dear?” Mother asks.
“Oh, both of parents passed away about ten years ago,” Anna explains. “I was adopted. No siblings.”
Mother’s voice softens immediately. “Oh honey, you’ve been alone? First, without your parents and then on the run from those assholes I heard about?”
“Yes,” Anna admits quietly.
“Well, you have family now. Us.”
I pause mid-flip of bacon and glance over my shoulder to check on my bride. Anna has tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispers.
Father notices me watching. “You truly care for her.”
“Yes.”
“Good. She needs family and you need a Bride.” He flips the eggs. “Don’t rush her, but don’t let her go either.”
I nod. His approval has always mattered to me. Cadoc Irontree is a fierce, legendary orc hunter, and yet remains kind enough to his bride along, not caring if she slows him down orcauses him to lose competitions. All that matters is her safety and happiness, which I’ve always admired.
From the other room, Mother’s getting more personal. “So, Anna. Do you care for my son?”
Silence.
I freeze mid-flip of bacon.
Father notices and lets out a snort-laugh.
“Yes,” Anna says quietly. “I do.”
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
“Good. Because he clearly adores you. I can see it in how he looks at you.” Then she barrels ahead. “Have you thought about the wedding?”
I nearly drop the platter of bacon.
“Wedding?” Anna sounds panicked. “We’re not?—”
“Oh, you will be. I can tell these things.” Maggie Irontree is enthusiastic now. Unstoppable. “We should start planning. Do you want a human-style wedding or an orc ceremony? Or both? We could do both, this has happened before.”
“Mother,” I growl from the kitchen.
Father chuckles beside me. “Let her dream, son.”
