Page 36 of The Orc and the Innkeeper

I frown but decide not to push it. Clearly something is going on, but I trust Finn will tell me when he’s ready.

I have enough to worry about with Mariah and Robert.

By the evening,the lobby of the Moonflower has transformed into a cozy wonderland. Fairy lights drape the walls, pulsing gently like captured starlight. Glowing orbs hover near the ceiling, bathing everything in a dreamy luminescence.

My eyes scan the assembled guests, searching for the one person I’m most eager to see. It takes only a moment to spot Mariah across the room.

She’s breathtaking in a flowing lavender dress, her chestnut hair tumbling down her back in glossy waves. Mariah smiles as she chats with Ecco, the picture of a gracious hostess.

I make my way towards her, a schoolboy blush rising on my cheeks. It’s only been a few hours since I came by to talk to her, but it seems like an eternity. The memory of her soft skin beneath my hands sends a fresh wave of desire crashing through me.

I clench my fists, willing myself to stay in control.

As I approach, Mariah’s eyes meet mine over Ecco’s shoulder. For a split second, I see a flicker of uncertainty, and my stomach clenches. But then she smiles, soft and inviting, and the tension eases from my muscles.

“Thorak, you made it,” she greets me warmly, stepping forward to loop her arm through mine. The casual intimacy of the gesture sends a thrill down my spine.

I remind myself that Mariah asked for time. This means nothing, probably.

“Of course.” I cover her hand with my own, hyper-aware of every place our bodies touch. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Robert is already here,” Mariah informs me, tilting her head towards a cluster of seats near the small stage. Sure enough, I spot the businessman sitting stiffly in the plush armchair, looking out of place among the more relaxed magical crowd. “We should probably join him before the show starts.”

“Lead the way,” I agree, allowing her to guide me through the throng of people.

As we near Robert, I can’t help but marvel at the change in his demeanor. He still seems a bit ill at ease, but there’s a sparkof curiosity in his eyes as he takes in the enchanted decor and whimsical refreshments.

A marked difference from the disdain and unease he first arrived with a week ago.

We settle into the seats beside him, exchanging pleasantries. “I must say, this is quite the event,” Robert comments, his gaze drifting over the room.

Mariah laughs, the sound like music to my ears.

“I’m hoping to turn Ecco’s performances into a regular weekly event,” she tells him. “The one you saw earlier in the week was sort of a last-minute trial run. This is more what I envision what it will look like going forward.” She chews her lip, contemplative. “If this is successful, I could see this being a real draw for guests and tourists.”

“I’m curious,” I say, turning to Mariah. “Does Ecco use her siren powers when she sings? Not that I’m complaining, but I’d rather not end up in a trance on the floor...again.”

Mariah shakes her head with an amused smile. “No, she’s got them under control now. It took a lot of practice, but Ecco can perform without unintentionally enchanting everyone.”

She leans in conspiratorially toward, lowering her voice. “She does weave in a bit of siren magic though. Nothing too strong, just enough to create a nice, warm atmosphere. Like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket or sipping a really good ale.”

“Magic and ale? Now that sounds like my kind of performance,” I quip, drawing a chuckle from Mariah and an intrigued look from Robert.

“You can use magic to recreate the sensation of drinking ale?” the businessman asks, his brow furrowing. “Fascinating. I never would have thought...”

He trails off, shaking his head as if to clear it.

“Forgive me, I’m still learning to expand my horizons when it comes to the magical world. This is all very new to me.”

“It’s a learning curve,” I say with a wry grin. “Even those of us who live here don’t truly understand the nuances of other folks’ powers.”

The last of the guests take their seats and the lights begin to dim, signaling the start of the show. I settle back in my chair, intensely aware of Mariah’s presence beside me.

No matter what transpires on stage tonight, I know the real magic is happening right here, in the space between us.

Ecco takes the stage and her ethereal melody flows through the room, weaving its spell over the enraptured audience. Her voice rises and falls like the tide, and the music resonates in my bones, stirring something deep and primal within me.

Beside me, Mariah sways slightly, her eyes half-closed as she loses herself in the siren’s song. The fairy lights cast a soft glow over her delicate features, making her seem almost dreamlike.

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