The Ogre King's Proposal by Allegra Rose

Author:Allegra Rose [Rose, Allegra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Reunion of Flames

Triumphant cheers rang through the chilled night air as Gromm strode back into Eldridge Hollow with Eva at his side, the defeated sorcerer Nargal in tow. Word of the ogre king's victory had preceded him, carried on swift wings by the forest sprites. Now the villagers poured from their homes to welcome the returning heroes.

Eva blinked back joyful tears at the familiar sight of her beloved village. As they entered the village square, she turned to Gromm, heart swelling with love and gratitude.

"You succeeded, my love," she whispered, reaching up to caress his craggy cheek. "I never doubted you would keep your vow and bring me home."

Gromm covered her small hand with his own massive one, relief and devotion shining in his golden eyes. "I could do no less, beloved. To live without you was no life at all." He drew her into the shelter of his body, heedless of the crowd's rapt gaze. "But now we are reunited, and I will never let you go again."

Eva nestled against the solid warmth of Gromm's chest, uncaring of who witnessed their tenderness. Let them stare and whisper if they wished. She and Gromm had passed through fire and anguish to find their way back to one another. Now, she wanted only to lose herself in his strong embrace.

The villagers' joy was infectious, their usual wariness forgotten in the euphoria of the moment. They surged forward to clasp Gromm's hands and pat Eva's back, tears of relief glistening on weathered cheeks. The terror Nargal's sorcery had unleashed now gave way to heartfelt celebration of the monster king and his human beloved.

Eva found herself enveloped in welcoming arms, passed from one villager to the next as they expressed their delight at her return. She caught snippets of their fervent whispers between embraces.

"Praise the stars, our Eva's alive!"

"We'd lost all hope, yet here you are!"

"That ogre king of yours moved heaven and earth to save you. Eldridge Hollow owes him a great debt."

At that last murmur, Eva glanced over to where Gromm stood surrounded by his own knot of admirers. The children gazed up at him wide-eyed, fear replaced by awe at his formidable height and muscled frame. Even the adults appeared less guarded, tentatively patting the arm or back of the king who had risked everything for one of their own.

Gromm accepted their tentative gestures with good grace, an amused gleam in his golden eyes. He had grown used to inspiring fear in humans. Yet here, in this quaint village that had been a source of curiosity for him, he found only gratitude.

As if sensing her gaze, Gromm looked up. Their eyes met across the crowded square, and in that moment, all else faded away. The people, the noise, the lingering chill of the autumn night—none of it mattered anymore. They had found their way back home. Whatever came next, they would face together.

An electric current seemed to arc between them, subtle but persistent as a magnet's pull. Gromm's claws flexed at his sides, restraint fraying.

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