Page 28 of Protective Pucking Orc

She blinked at it, then at me, her expression flickering between suspicion and exhaustion. “I don’t⁠—”

“It’s just herbs.” I kept my voice steady. “My father made it for us when we were sick. It will help the fever.”

She hesitated, then took the cup. Her fingers brushed mine, and the contact sent a jolt through me. She didn’t pull away.

The first sip made her cough. “It’s bitter.”

“I know.” I sat on the edge of the bed, close but not crowding her. “Drink it all. It works better that way. And I have pain pills for you, too.”

She took another sip, then another, her throat working. The scent of the k’veth wrapped around us, sharp and green. When she finished, and had swallowed both pills, she handed the cup back to me, her fingers trembling slightly.

“Thank you.”

I set the cup aside. “You should eat something too.”

She shook her head, then winced. “I’m not hungry.”

“Your body needs energy to heal, and you shouldn’t take medicine on an empty stomach.” I stood. “I’ll make you eggs. Soft, so you don’t have to chew.”

She didn’t argue. Just watched me with those dark, tired eyes.

I should leave the room before I did something stupid—like gather her into my arms and never let go. But I knew she wouldn’t be able to get up without help, so I all but carried her to the guest bathroom, then passed her the bag of clothing Lila had fetched for her and made a mental note to run laundry this afternoon.

As she did whatever females did in the bathroom, I called Coach Ellis. It was early, but I knew he’d be awake, staring at the weather report as he drank his second cup of coffee.

“Snow’s still coming down,” he huffed. “Think you can make it to the rink?”

“I’m not coming in today,” I told him bluntly. “We don’t have a game this week, and I have to protect my females.”

There was a hesitation on the other end, and I could practically hear him rolling his eyes. Still, he’d been coaching orcs long enough to know we were biologically wired to take care of our Mates, and that came before all else. He might not know Sofia was mine, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Kardok and Torrk had blabbed to everyone.

“Fine,” he finally sighed. “I’ll run practice with whoever can make it in. Keep an eye out for text updates, and stay safe, Dakvaar.”

I grunted in acknowledgement, then hung up to make my Mate-who-wasn’t-my-Mate-yet breakfast.

The eggs were runny, the yolks still liquid gold when I slid the plate onto the coffee table. Sofia was curled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, her cheek pillowed against the armrest. She looked smaller like this. Breakable.

Rosa was still asleep in the library, her dark curls a tangled mess against the pillow, one arm flung over a throw pillow from my favorite reading chair. In passing, I thought that she needed a stuffed animal to love.

I’d left the door cracked so I’d hear her if she woke.

I knelt in front of Sofia, nudging the plate toward her. “Eat.”

She pushed herself up slightly, her gaze flickering over the food. “You didn’t have to⁠—”

“Of course I did.” I handed her a spoon. “Eat.”

She took a bite, then another. The eggs were simple—just butter and salt—but she ate half before setting the spoon down with a sigh. “I can’t.”

“That’s enough for now.” I took the plate away, setting it on the side table. “Rest. I’ll wake you if Rosa needs you.”

Her fingers curled into the blanket. “Dakvaar…”

I paused, chest tightening in what was probably hope. “Yes?”

“Thank you.” Her voice was rough. “For…everything. I’ve never had a friend like you.”

Friend.