Page 18 of The Orc and the Innkeeper

Ending the fake call, I turn back to Thorak and Kingsley, an apologetic expression plastered on my face. “I’m so sorry, but there’s an emergency at the inn. I need to head back immediately to handle it.”

Thorak’s brows furrow, concern etched on his rugged features. “Is everything alright? Do you need me to come with you?”

No way in hell, dude. That would defeat the point of getting away from you.

“No, no, it’s fine. I can handle it. You two stay and enjoy the market.”

Kingsley nods, his eyes flickering between Thorak and me with a knowing glint. The upside of this whole debacle, that little display seems to have him convinced of our love. “Of course, Mariah. We understand. Business comes first.”

I force a smile, my cheeks aching with the effort. “Thanks for understanding. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”

Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and hurry away, my heart pounding in time with my swift steps. I imagine Thorak’s eyes boring into my back, but I resist the urge to look over my shoulder, afraid of what I might see in his piercing gaze.

The bustling sounds of the monster market fade away as I navigate the winding streets of Elderberry Falls. The memory of Thorak’s lips on mine, the press of his hard body against my softer curves, plays on a torturous loop in my mind.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the treacherous images. I can’t afford to get caught up in whatever this is. I have an inn to save and a future to secure.

Falling for my bully is not part of the plan.

As the Moonflower Inn comes into view, its enchanted stained glass windows glinting in the afternoon sun, a sense of relief washes over me. The inn is the one constant in my life. All that matters is keeping it afloat and building a better life for myself.

I push open the heavy oak door, the familiar scent of woodsmoke and vanilla washing over me like a comforting hug. The lobby is quiet, the only sound the gentle crackling from the hearth.

“Mariah? Is that you?” Laurelle’s melodic voice floats from the reception desk, her silhouette emerging from the back room.

I paste on a bright smile, hoping to mask the turmoil raging inside me. “Hey, Laurelle. Yeah, it’s me.”

But as she steps into the light, her elven features coming into sharp focus, I know I’m busted. Laurelle’s eyes narrow, taking in my flushed cheeks and the way my hands tremble slightly at my sides.

“What happened?” the older woman demands, her voice soft but firm. “And don’t even think about trying to brush it off. I’ve known you most of your life, Mariah Parker, and something is definitely up.”

I sigh, my shoulders sagging under the weight of her perceptive gaze.

Laurelle has always been able to see right through me. Like that time when I was a kid and I tried to hide a stray glowkitten in my room. Laurelle took one look at my guilty face and the telltale glowing bulge under my sweater and marched me straight to Great Auntie Ida to confess.

Laurelle guides me to the plush armchairs by the fireplace, her slender fingers wrapped gently around my wrist.

“Sit,” she commands, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And spill. Every last detail.”

I sink into the cushions, the events of the day catching up to me in a rush of exhaustion and confusion. Laurelle settles into the chair across from me, her gray hair shimmering in the firelight as she leans forward, her expression equal parts concern and determination.

“It’s Thorak,” I admit, the words spilling out. Laurelle knows everything about the fake engagement, in case it comes up when Kingsley is around. “We were at the monster market with Kingsley, and we ran into some of our old classmates. They were being jerks, as usual, and I just...I snapped.”

Laurelle’s brows rise, her lips pursing thoughtfully. “What did you do?”

I bury my face in my hands, my voice muffled by my palms. “I kissed him, Laurelle. In front of everyone. And it was...it was...”

I trail off, unable to find the words to describe the searing intensity of that moment, the way Thorak’s touch had ignited a fire in my veins and left me aching for more.

Laurelle is silent for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a smile spreads across her delicate features, her eyes gleaming with delight.

“Oh, Mariah,” she says, her voice tinged with a mixture of amusement and understanding. “You have a crush, don’t you?”

My cheeks burn, a telltale blush that I can’t seem to control. “No,” I protest, shaking my head vehemently. “It’s not like that. It’s just...it’s complicated.”

Laurelle arches a delicate eyebrow, her expression skeptical. “Complicated how, exactly?”

I sigh, trying to find the words to explain the tangled web of emotions that Thorak stirs up inside me. “He was horrible to me in high school, Laurelle. He made my life a living hell. And now, here I am, pretending to be his fiancée, and I’m...I’m...”

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