How to Claim a Human Mate (Monstery Yours #6)

by S. J. Sanders

  He nods as he takes another deep sip. “Yes. I have Haith hitched to a cart that we can transport your supplies in.”

  I blink. I can’t say I’ve seen a single sign of anything remotely equestrian around here. Outside of the presence of the centaurs, that is.

  “Haith? What’s a Haith?” I ask, uncertain if I really want to know the answer.

  He chuckles, downs the rest of his coffee, and gestures to the door where our supplies are stacked. “Come meet him, and I’ll get the supplies.”

  I exchange a nervous look with Kassie, and we pull on our coats and scarves as he strides over to the door and opens it. He stops only to pick up the entire stack of crates in one muscle-bulging move that leaves me gaping, striding out with our supplies. It’s with equal measure of trepidation and curiosity that I follow after him, Kassie close on my heels. I don’t get further than the front stoop before I see exactly what Haith is. I can feel Kassie’s fingers clenching into my tunic as she too spies the mystery critter.

  It’s a cat. And not just some house cat either. It’s more like Rambo Kitty. Inky black and the size of a large pony, keen blue eyes turn toward us from where the animal is hitched to the cart. Bodi carries the crates to the back of the cart and loads them, tying them down with anchors on the cart’s wooden frame. There is a comfortable mound of cushions tied down to one side that he gestures to.

  “This here is where you’re going to sit, Kassie,” he calls overly cheerfully. “I made sure it is nice and comfortable for you.”

  Kassie squeaks a quick thank you, her eyes never once leaving Haith. She does, however, look relieved that she will be riding in the back of the cart. Bodi strides back over to us, dusting his hands off on the sides of his trousers, a broad smile on his face as he looks back and forth between us.

  “Now who is ready to meet Haith?” he asks.

  Kassie shakes her head and pushes me forward. “Too much excitement for me, I think,” she murmurs, glancing hopefully toward the cart. “If I can just go get settled, I will be fine back there while you introduce Lynn.”

  I stare at the traitor as she happily volunteers me as she’s carefully led back to the back of the cart by the orc. That deceitful… fibber! She’s scared, but not that scared. From the cart, she gives me a triumphant smile the moment Bodi turns away and starts back toward me.

  I silently groan. Matchmaking schemer!

  “You know… I don’t really need to meet him, either,” I tell him when he once again rejoins me.

  He tsks, his eyes dancing with amusement as he offers me his hand. “Don’t tell me that you’re afraid.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy fear,” I rebut, and he chuckles.

  “There’s nothing for you to be afraid of either. Besides, it is good for him to get to know you, considering.”

  “Considering what?” I ask, my voice sharpening with suspicion.

  He shrugs a bit too nonchalantly. “Considering you will be seated right behind him. It will make him more comfortable with your presence if he meets you first.”

  I stall for time, my eyes darting nervously toward the enormous cat. “Can’t I just sit in the back with Kassie?”

  “I only had enough supplies to make a seating area for Kassie. You will be safer up front on the bench seat beside me while the cart is moving.”

  I curse quietly as I slap my hand in his, allowing him to draw me over to the cat hitched to the front of the cart. Haith’s nostrils flare, his mouth gaping a little as he breathes in my scent. Holding my hand firmly in Bodi’s, he places our joined hands in front of the feline’s face before moving them to sink into the thick, impossibly soft fur of Haith’s shoulder.

  “Haith, this is our Lynn. Lynn, this is my delfass, Haith.”

  From the back, I can hear Kassie mutter, “That’s a delfass. Scratch one item off that list. One encounter is enough.”

  I snicker quietly at her comment, but I’m soon swallowed up in the wonder of touching the powerful, magnificent creature… and the delfass too. The touch of Bodi’s hand in mine causes conflagration of heat to spark within me and as he moves around, our hands together in a stroking motion over Haith’s neck and shoulders, I’m struck by how warm his hand is and how erotic it feels joined with mine, the rough calluses brushing over my skin with every movement.

  His hands aren’t those of a lawyer, but of a male who works hard with them and yet still can show the gentlest touch. I want to sigh when he finally releases my hand so that I can pet the delfass on my own. I jerk a bit when the feline’s enormous head turns toward me and affectionately bumps my arm with the strength of a playful punch. I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. I’m instantly won over as the delfass begins to purr like an enormous engine, and I bury my cheek against his broad head.

  At my side, Bodi shakes his head. “Figure him to be the one to win a female’s attention over me,” he says with a put-upon sigh.

  I grin up at the orc. “You get bonus points for this. You have no idea how much I miss my sweet Casper.”

  Bodi’s answering smile is broad, hinting of something a lot more intimate, promising things that I know I shouldn’t be thinking of. Damn him for that utterly sexy smile.

  Chapter 9

  Lynn

  Bundled up in my new wool coat, I smile encouragingly at the orc who sniffs curiously at the cup of coffee he holds in his hand.

  “It looks like liquid tar… or some bad ink. Are you sure that this is safe to drink?” he mutters.

  I feel my smile wobble. Outside of a number of curious glances at my stand, he’s the first to stop and actually try a sample. It’s disheartening as hell, and as none of the human tourists seem to be out milling about yet this morning, I don’t have their enthusiasm to help me out in winning the locals.

  “It’s not,” I assure him. “It is a drink made from a special roasted fruit. It’s good.”

  “I don’t know,” he mumbles. “It doesn’t smell like any kind of fruit. It smells strange.”

  Behind me I can hear Bodi sigh loudly from where he has propped himself lazily against one of the support beams of our shelter.

  “Just try it, Kinthrus,” he snaps. “It is not going to poison you.”

  I cringe. Why did he have to bring up the word poison? Immediately, this Kinthrus guy looks warier as he lowers his cup and sets it on the table beside me. Shifting on his feet uncomfortably, he rubs the back of his neck as I stare at the cup in dismay.

  No, no, no, no!

  “Maybe I will come try it later,” he says softly, his voice apologetic. “I just don’t want to chance getting ill before I get some trading done.”

  I attempt a friendly smile and nod. “Sure. We’ll be here until the market closes. Feel free to get another sample on your way out.”

  As he walks away, though, my smile falls, and I close my eyes against the wave of discouragement washing through me. As I practically drown in that sea of disappointment, a large, warm hand settles on my shoulder.

  “Don’t worry, Lynn. Give it a little time and you will have lines waiting for cups of your coffee.”

  His words are sweet, but despite his best intentions, he really isn’t helping. At all. In fact, it’s safe to say that he’s making it worse.

  “You’re a menace,” I mutter, bringing my fingers up to rub my temples.

  His hand squeezes my shoulder in an attempt to comfort. “Probably telling him that it wasn’t poison wasn’t the best idea,” he mutters.

  A short, weak laugh escapes me, and I turn my head to look at him, my eyebrows lifting. “You think?”

  “I am sorry, lanara, my Lynn,” he says in a quiet, earnest voice.

  Chagrin colors his expression, and it’s hard to be mad at him when he’s looking for all the world apologetic. His smile is slow and sweet, as he gives me a hopeful look. It seems out of place on a grown male orc, but there is something almost endearing about it that I can’t even be irritated that he’s calling me “his�
�� again. Stupid heart-melting smiles.

  I shake my head at him, my lips quirking ruefully. “I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy. I guess our game plan just needs a little work.” I chew on my bottom lip, thinking. “Kassie should be back soon with… what did you say his name is?”

  “Garval, my brother,” Bodi reminds me.

  “Right, him. Remind me to thank him for taking the time to go with Kassie to get food.”

  Bodi waves away my thanks. “He was happy to assist. I think my little brother is interested in your friend. He would not want any other to assist her.”

  My mouth rounds in surprise. “Oh. Oh. That’s not good.”

  “I swear, Garval will behave honorably. He’s the best male I know. Far better than me, even,” he adds with a self-deprecating smile.

  I might have analyzed that last bit a little closer except I was still mentally snagged on this new development, and knowing Kassie, she would carry on pleasantly while he mooned over her, having no idea.

  “Not that. It’s just that,” I bite my lip again, unable to think of any kind way to put it. “Kassie is not available. You see that she’s pregnant, right?”

  Bodi nods. “I have told my brother she is whelping when I asked him to assist her, and he thinks it is wonderful. He likes younglings very much.”

  “Oh jeez.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. What a disaster in the making. “She already has a man… err, male. She’s married. She can’t be with Garval.”

  And a damn shame that is, I can’t help but think. The quiet, shy orc would be a lot better for my friend than that asshole she is married to, but I keep that observation to myself.

  Bodi’s eyes widen, and his mouth hangs slack. “How… She can’t be mated!”

  I frown at his denial. “I assure you that she is. He’s a bit of a prick, if you ask me, but they are very much together.”

  He shakes his head, aghast. “If she is mated, why is he not here keeping watch over her and tending to her while she is whelping?”

  “Like I said, he’s a prick,” I say flatly. I sigh and roll my neck to ease some of the tension. “Trust me, it’s nothing against your brother. He just doesn’t have a shot right now, not when she’s determined to do what she thinks is best for her family. Ending a relationship is complicated… I should know,” I add wryly. “I’m sorry.”

  “I do not understand this,” he mutters reluctantly as he resumes his place against the support pole and folds his arms over his chest. A heavy sigh leaves him. “I will inform Garval.”

  “That’s for the best.” I agree.

  His eyes suddenly narrow on me, his gaze shrewd. “You are not mated, are you?”

  I choke back a laugh. “Fuck no. I got out of that marital nightmare and have no intention of doing it again. As they say, ‘Been there, done that.’”

  “Hmm.” He turns his head away to scan the crowd.

  I pick up the cup to dump it out in the small wash area set up behind our table, but then it’s suddenly snatched out of my hand with enough force that I wobble a bit. In a blur of movement, one of Bodi’s big hands grips my shoulder to steady me.

  “Sorry, I need this,” he murmurs softly, and just as quickly as he grabbed me, he lets go and disappears into the crowd.

  With my cup.

  “Bodi,” I shout, “where the hell are you going!?”

  My words are swallowed by the noise of the early morning market. I fume for a minute, staring intently among the moving bodies. Flashes of brilliant green and shades of lavender and purple mingle among the predominant orc population. Huh. There are a surprising number of trolls who have come this morning. And not one of them is looking at my setup.

  “Pain in the ass orc,” I grumble under my breath, cleaning up a small spill as I set the metal coffee pot on my makeshift warming plate. “First I can’t get rid of him, and now he just goes and disappears on me.”

  Attached to the either side of the metal brazier I brought with me, the warming plates look like they will be getting a workout this morning. I scowl at the cheerful fire dancing in the brazier and mentally work out how long I have before I need to dump out the pot and make up a fresh one. There’s a tiny voice at the back of my mind suggesting once again that all of this may have been a very bad idea. As I have so many times since trying to make the coffee shop a go, I quash that voice ruthlessly.

  Andrew may not have given me much of himself during our later years of marriage, but one thing he did gift me with was an unshakeable determination. Once I’ve set my mind on something, I’ll get it. I’m not giving up—or even letting myself even consider it—until I’ve given this week everything I have. I didn’t spend all that time perfecting how to make coffee without electricity to give in to self-defeat now. I just need to think.

  What will hook potential customers?

  Taking a page from Bodi, I lean against a beam, my eyes drifting over the crowd. I really know nothing about what appeals to fae beings. I tried to do a little research while making a fresh batch of coffee, but since I don’t know any personally, finding information was harder than I had thought it would be. Now I’m coming realize that I seriously underestimated just how different they would be when it comes to what might draw them in. Clearly none of them possess a strong enough curiosity to try it just from the delicious smell of the brew alone.

  That’s fair. I know plenty of humans who refuse to try stuff from other cultures just because it looks different than what they’re accustomed to.

  My foot begins to tap as ideas come to me only to be discarded. I’m at the point of screaming with frustration when Kassie returns. I get my first real look at Garval. Taller than Bodi and impossibly thick with muscle, the muddy green male shadows her from a distance away. I honestly don’t think she even realizes that he’s been following and protecting her. Even though he never approaches, his eyes track her every movement like a lovesick puppy.

  I really hope that Bodi has that talk with him soon.

  Kassie sets down packages containing savory cooked meat, spiced cooked vegetables, and bread and looks around curiously.

  “Where’s Bodi? I brought enough for him too.”

  I scowl and shrug. “Who knows? He took off with one of the cups of coffee about fifteen minutes ago.”

  She tips her head with a thoughtful purse of her lips. “Huh. That’s sort of weird.”

  “You’re telling me,” I mutter, leaning my head back against the post.

  She shakes her head. “Not that. That.”

  She points to the market entrance and my mouth drops when I see Bodi striding toward us, his head tipped back slightly as he talks animatedly with the centaur beside him. I immediately recognize the blacksmith. If his distinctive coloring hadn’t given him away, the dark streaks of soot over his hands and forearms would have done it.

  The centaur strides through the crowd, at least half a head taller than most of the other centaurs I’ve seen. With a coat that is largely iron gray in color, he stands out due to a pretty dappling of white spots on his hindquarters, as if he got caught out in the snow. His humanoid torso is built and muscular, with bronze skin that looks almost human if not for the long, pointed ears peeking out of the curly brown hair that falls halfway down his back. And he’s holding my coffee cup in his hand.

  Bodi, I could kiss you. My lips quirk as he turns to look at me with a broad grin on his blue-gray face.

  “Umm, has Bodi turned into the pied piper of humans?” Kassie interrupts.

  I give her a confused look. “What?”

  “Well, they have a whole train of human tourists following after them.”

  I crane my head a bit and my jaw goes slack. Sure enough, there are tourists following close after the centaur and orc duo with eager expressions on their faces. I am still staring with disbelief, when the ridiculous male strides over to me and sweeps me up into a bone-crushing hug.

  “Look, I brought you company,” he purrs. “Am I forgiven?”

  I
stare at the small gathering of customers, my smile widening. “Yeah. I would say that you are.”

  The centaur’s eyes crinkle with amusement, and he hands me the cup in his hand. “This was quite satisfying. Bodi tells me that you have more?”

  I nod my head, prying myself out of Bodi’s grasp to scoop up the cup. “One copper and I will get you a refill.”

  He produces the coin, and I hurry off to fix him a cup. As I do so I see several orcs and a couple of trolls look over with interest and start to head my way. Excitement stirs in my blood and I barely resist doing a small jig.

  This is it. This is really it! The hook I needed!

  A few trolls drift into line behind the humans, and they are joined by the orcs, and eventually other fae trickling in behind them. Even with Bodi and Kassie’s help, I can barely keep up between the orders and washing cups clean. It’s madness that drags me up with it until my blood is rushing in a rapturous high. By the time midday arrives and the market begins to close, I am exhausted, but it’s a happy sort that has me smiling in delight despite my protesting muscles.

  Bodi grins over at me. “You look very pleased.”

  I return his smile and shrug. “This was great. I really owe you one.”

  He shrugs. “It was my fault that you lost your first customer. I had to do something.” He scratches his cheek. “But if you are serious, there is something…”

  I arch an eyebrow, wondering what sort of dirty proposition he has running around in that head of his. I might even be intrigued. Might be.

  “Are you perhaps interested in coming with me to the Lantern Labyrinth… if you decide to stay? It is a few weeks after the harvest festival, and one of our most beautiful and treasured rites.”

  I blink in surprise. That’s the last thing I expected. He wants… a date.

  I glance uncomfortably over at Kassie. I really hadn’t decided yet either way. “I don’t know…”

  My friend gives an encouraging grin and waggles her eyebrows.

  “Come on, Lynn, we both know after today you’re going to stay,” she teases.