Page 29 of The Orc and the Innkeeper

I completely forgot he was here. Watching.

My stomach sinks as I think about how close I came to blowing our carefully constructed ruse. I squeeze Mariah’s hand in warning, nodding subtly in Robert’s direction.

Her eyes widen in understanding. Message received.

“Sorry for the commotion, folks!” I call out to the crowd, forcing a hearty chuckle. “Next round is on me!”

A ragged cheer goes up, the tension dissolving into raucous laughter and chatter. I breathe a sigh of relief, but it’s short-lived.

Robert is already striding towards us, his expression unreadable. “I think we need to have a talk,” he says, voice low and serious. “In private.”

14

MARIAH

My hands tremble at my side as I stand amidst the taproom’s din. The confrontation with Krag and Mor’ghan still echoes in my mind—their biting words, the sheer disdain in their eyes as they looked at me.

At the human who, as far as they knew, dared to love their son.

Bile rises in my throat and I swallow it down. The whole interaction ripped some old wounds open, spilling memories of cruel taunts and jeering laughter.

Coming from him.

I sneak a glance at Thorak, tall and imposing beside me. The orc who tormented me mercilessly as a teen, who shoved me and mocked me. The orc who just defended me so fiercely, eyes blazing as he put his own parents in their place.

I feel split in two, past and present colliding in a way I can’t begin to process. But I force the turmoil down. I can’t think about that now.

Everything with Kingsley seems like it’s about to fall apart. And I can’t let that happen. Regardless of my complicatedemotions toward Thorak, I need him to come through with the rest of my payment so I can save the inn.

Which means it’s time to channel my best loving fiancée act.

Thorak leads Kingsley and I to a quiet corner booth of the taproom, away from the raucous crowd. Curious gazes follow us, whispers rising in our wake.

We slide into the polished seats, the air heavy with tension. Kingsley leans forward, elbows on the table as he pins us with a hard stare.

“What was that?” he demands. “Your parents seriously don’t know you’re engaged?”

I exchange a glance with Thorak. He gives an almost imperceptible nod, letting me take the lead.

I clear my throat and turn to Kingsley with an easy smile.

“It’s all happened so fast,” I explain, lacing my fingers with Thorak’s thick ones. His green skin is warm against mine. “We’ve only been together for six weeks, but we both just knew it was right.”

I gaze up at Thorak with an attempt at adoration. He returns the look with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

“We wanted to tell Thorak’s parents in person,” I tell Kingsley. “But we knew they might have some...prejudices. Against humans. We’ve been trying to figure out the best way to break the news.”

Kingsley leans back, eyebrows raised. “Interesting strategy, doing it here. Tonight.” His tone drips with sarcasm.

I force a tinkling laugh. “Definitely not the plan! We’re so sorry you had to witness that awkwardness.”

Under the table, I nudge Thorak’s knee with mine, passing the baton to him. He nudges back, and a shiver runs through me at the contact.

“I lost my temper,” Thorak rumbles, holding Kingsley’s gaze. “But I won’t let anyone, not even my own family, disrespect the woman I love. Mariah means everything to me.”

Kingsley studies us for a long moment, eyes flicking between our faces.

Finally, he leans back in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. “I just can’t believe anyone could be prejudiced againsthumans,” he says, sounding almost naïve in his surprise. He turns to me, his expression softening slightly. “Have you ever had something like that happen before?”

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