Heat explodes inside me as my husband’s body goes stiff under me. Grak’s grunts and strange curses vibrate the room as I milk him dry.
My husband. My orc. Mine. All mine.
Chapter Eighteen
Grak
Ginger’s siblings are leaving tomorrow, so we’re exchanging gifts today.
I pour the last drop from the wish vial into Mom’s tea and stir it. Looking over my right shoulder, I feel assured that no one saw. The family is all in the living room waiting for me.
“Grak, everyone is waiting to give you your presents…wait…what are you doing?”
I failed to ensure I was completely alone. Ginger is small and sneaky. I hide the small vial in my grip.
“Making tea for Mom.”
Ginger steps back from me as I turn around, the spoon stirring around in the little snowman mug. The way she crosses her arms sends a message. “What did you put in it?”
I clear my throat. “Uh…sugar.”
Ginger squints. “Let me smell it.”
Sighing, I lower the mug and hand it to her. Ginger keeps her gaze on mine and sniffs the mug. Her eyes widen when she gets the aroma.
“You used your magic!” she whispers loudly.
“Mom is waiting for her tea.”
“Grak! You still have some magic in that vial to get home, right?”
I repeat myself, and Ginger grows impatient.
She deserves an explanation, but there’s no time. Once dispensed, the magic needs to be consumed before it loses its power.
Having no choice, I take the mug and turn toward the living room.
“Thank you, dear,” Mom says.
“You must drink all of it,” I say.
I hope my face communicates enough.
“You made it for me. I sure will,” she says.
Nodding, I back away and clumsily head back toward the kitchen.
“Grak, this is for you,” Dad says.
I stare at the small, shiny green present with the sparkly bow attached.
“You got me a gift? I do not have a gift for you…Dad.”
“We all chipped in,” May says. I look over at Ginger’s sister, who is seated on the floor with the little ones, playing with their new action figures and building blocks.
“But I…”
I do not know how to finish that sentence. Mom says, “You’ve given us more than anything we could have hoped for this Christmas.”
