Page 57 of The Orc and the Innkeeper

We share a moment of companionable silence, a sort of unspoken understanding passing between us. I marvel at how much people can change.

Then Ecco returns to my side, two glasses of shimmering rose-gold liquid in hand. “Fairy Fizz,” she says with a wink. “Liquid courage.”

I accept the delicate crystal flute gratefully and take a fortifying sip. The magical champagne buzzes pleasantly on my tongue, the bubbles going straight to my head, making me pleasantly relaxed. I turn to compliment Ecco again on her stunning dress when suddenly, my gaze snags on a familiar figure across the room.

Thorak.

The floor bottoms out beneath me.

He’s devastatingly handsome in a well-cut charcoal suit that strains slightly across his broad shoulders. His green skin looks especially rich in the enchanted lighting. My eyes trace the strong lines of his jaw, the sensual curve of his lips and sharp, imposing points of his tusks.

Memories of our passionate night together flood through me, sending heat coursing under my skin.

Thorak’s deep in conversation with some former classmates, but he looks tense. Agitated. As if sensing my gaze, his head suddenly swivels in my direction.

Our eyes lock and there’s an instant spark, that smoldering intensity that’s always simmered between us.

Then I remember how things ended. The hurt, the broken trust. All of the doubt rushes back in.

Ecco follows my gaze, her brow creasing in concern. “Hey, we can leave if you want. You don’t have to do this tonight.”

I tear my eyes away from Thorak to give her a wan smile. “No, I’m okay. I need to do this. For myself, if nothing else.”

I down the rest of my Fairy Fizz in one gulp, the effervescent tingle giving me a burst of confidence. I take a step forward, then another, my heels clicking on the parquet floor. As I move through the crowd, I keep my eyes fixed on Thorak.

With every step, the past and the present collide. Old hurts and new hopes warring within me. So much has changed in the span of a decade. I know we’ve changed too.

My palms grow clammy as I make my way across the room, a thin sheen of sweat forming on the back of my neck. It’s not just the nerves; it’s the way Thorak looks tonight, the way he’s looking at me.

His eyes haven’t left mine, and they burn with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

I’m just a few feet away when the rest of Thorak’s group notices my approach. Their conversation falters as they turn to look my way. For a moment, the world seems to fall away, and it’s just the two of us, suspended in this charged moment.

Then, Thorak excuses himself from the group and takes a step towards me. “Mariah,” he says, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “You look...incredible.”

I glance down at my dress, smoothing the red fabric over my hips nervously. “Thanks,” I manage, my mouth suddenly dry. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

Thorak chuckles, a low, rumbling sound that warms me from the inside out. “I try.” His smile wanes uncertainly, a hint ofvulnerability peeking through his usually stoic demeanor. “I’m really glad you came tonight.”

“Me too,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. “It’s been...a lot, seeing everyone again. Realizing how much has changed.”

Thorak nods, his gaze never leaving mine. “I know what you mean. It’s like looking at the past through a new lens. Seeing things differently.”

We stand there for a moment, the weight of our history hanging between us. The hurt, the misunderstandings, the missed chances.

My heart thuds against my ribcage as I gather my courage. “Thorak, I...I think we need to talk. About everything that’s happened. About...us.”

Thorak’s eyes widen slightly, but he doesn’t look away. “I think you’re right,” he says softly. “Do you...maybe want to go somewhere a bit more private?”

I nod, not trusting my voice.

Thorak offers me his arm and I slip my hand into the crook of his elbow, the warmth of his skin radiating through his suit jacket. Together, we make our way towards the French doors that lead out onto a balcony, away from the noise and the crowd.

We step out into the cool night air and I breathe in deeply, steeling myself for the conversation to come. The balcony is a hidden oasis tucked away from the revelry of the reunion. Twinkling star-shaped lanterns are strung overhead, casting a warm glow over the space. The air is fragrant with the scent of night-blooming jasmine from the enchanted gardens below. In the distance, I can hear the gentle strains of music floating out from the ballroom.

But here, it’s quiet. Private. Intimate.

Thorak and I move to the far end of the balcony, away from the doors. He leans against the railing, his large framesilhouetted against the starry sky. I stand beside him, close enough to feel the heat emanating from his body.

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