Page 21 of The Orc and the Innkeeper

“Sorry, Snuffles,” I call over my shoulder. “But you’re gonna have to sit this one out.”

I close the door behind me, a heat still burning through me that was ignited by Mariah hours ago and hasn’t left my veins since. As I settle onto the bed, my thoughts drift back to her, to the feel of her lips against mine, the way her body melted into my embrace.

Desire rushes through me, urgent and demanding. I pull down my trousers and close my eyes, letting the memory consume me. My fingers curl around the deep ridges of my already hardening cock.

I imagine Mariah here with me, her eyes filled with desire. In my mind, she forgives me, pulls me close, and whispers the words I’ve longed to hear. “I want you, Thorak. I need you.”

My grip tightens, my strokes becoming more forceful as I lose myself in the fantasy. I picture Mariah’s naked body beneath me, her fair skin flushed with arousal. Her small human hands would explore my chest, tracing the lines of my muscles before wrapping around my thick, pulsing shaft.

I imagine the way her eyes would widen as she takes in the sight of my rigid, thick green length for the first time. She’s probably never seen an orc cock before. Surprise would melt into curiosity and then desire.

“So big,” she’d whisper in awe, her delicate fingers stroking along the prominent ridges, unique to orcs and made for pleasure.

A low groan escapes my lips as I pump faster, chasing the building pressure at the base of my spine. In my mind’s eye, Mariah arches beneath me, her breathy moans filling the air as I thrust into her welcoming heat.

The fantasy reaches its peak, and I erupt with a guttural roar, spilling my seed onto my fist and stomach. I ride out the waves of pleasure, my chest heaving with exertion.

As I catch my breath, an overwhelming sense of purpose settles over me. I have to win Mariah over. No more games, no more hiding behind this fake engagement. It’s time to show her the depths of my feelings, the sincerity of my remorse.

Tomorrow, I’ll take the first steps towards earning Mariah’s trust and forgiveness.

10

MARIAH

Ipace the lobby of the Moonflower, my skirt swishing around my ankles with each step. I’m trying not to be anxious or impatient, but I can’t help it. So much rides on today.

Kingsley emerges from the hallway and I plaster on my most dazzling smile, hoping it masks the nerves fluttering in my stomach. Today, Thorak and I are giving Kingsley a tour of the brewery. It has to go well.

The sooner we can get him on board, the better. Then I can get my extermination bills paid and move on with my life before these mind-boggling sentiments toward Thorak get any more confusing.

“Good morning, Robert! I trust you slept well?” I greet him sunnily as we head out the door. “I can’t wait to show you more of our charming little town.”

The streets of Elderberry Falls bustle with morning activity as we stroll through the center of town. The aroma of freshly baked pumpkin muffins and cinnamon rolls wafts out to greet us as we pass the Hungry Minotaur tavern. A few doors down,the windows of the Spellbound Bookshop shimmer with an enchanted display of fluttering pages arranging themselves into fantastical scenes.

“There’s Mrs. Pennywhistle, heading to open the bookshop,” I point out the elderly elf who gives us a friendly wave. “Her family has owned it for generations. The shelves are rumored to be bigger on the inside. You could get lost for days in there!”

Robert nods, but I can’t quite read his expression behind his expensive sunglasses. Is that a hint of a smile tugging at his mouth or just polite interest? I press on, determined to showcase the unique charm and characters that make this town so special to me.

Suddenly, Robert turns to me, his gaze intense even behind his dark glasses. “Don’t you ever get tired of all this foolishness, Mariah? Why do you want to live here instead of in the human lands?”

His question catches me off guard, and I feel a familiar defensiveness prickling my skin. How can he not see how amazing this place is? How much it means to me? I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to snap back with a sarcastic retort.

Instead, I breathe slowly, composing myself. “Tired of it? Never. Elderberry Falls is unlike anywhere else in the world. The diversity, the way monsters, magical beings, and humans live and work alongside each other—it’s incredible.”

I gesture around us, to the vibrant storefronts and the eclectic mix of beings going about their day. “This town has become a part of who I am. The friendships I’ve formed here, the magical moments I’ve witnessed... There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Memories flood my mind, like the time Chef Glim surprised me with a magical birthday feast, complete with dishes that glowed and sparkled. Or when Ecco sang at the Moonflower’s grand reopening after I inherited it from my great-aunt, hersiren song weaving a spell of joy over the entire crowd. Even the challenging times, like dealing with the pixie dust mite infestation, have only made me appreciate this community more.

Kingsley remains quiet, his expression inscrutable. I wish I could read his thoughts, understand what’s going on behind those designer shades. Does he think I’m just a naïve human girl, clinging to a fantasy world?

I gently turn the question back to him. “What about you, Robert? What drew you to invest in businesses owned by monsters and magical beings?”

He pauses for a moment, considering his words. “As a businessman, I see significant growth potential in this market. It’s an untapped opportunity, a chance to be at the forefront of something truly unique.”

But as he speaks, his gaze lingers on the town around us, taking in the whimsical storefronts and the laughter of a group of goblin children playing nearby. There’s a softness to his expression that I haven’t seen before, a hint of wonder that extends beyond mere financial pragmatism.

“Though I must admit,” he adds, his tone more contemplative, “there’s something about this place that’s starting to grow on me. The energy, the sense of community...it’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”

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