Chapter 10

10

MARIAH

I pace 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, her siren 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 na?ve 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."

I smile, warmth blooming in my chest. There's hope for Kingsley yet. If he can open his mind to the magic and wonder of Elderberry Falls, who knows what the future might hold?

As we approach the doors of Orc's Anvil, I take a steadying breath, my nerves buzzing with anticipation. This is it—the moment of truth. Thorak's tour might be enough to seal the deal and secure Kingsley's investment.

And if it means spending more time in close proximity to the orc who once tormented me, well...I'll just have to find a way to keep my traitorous mind in check.

Easier said than done, especially when the heat of our kiss at the monster market still lingers on my lips…and other places.

With a final glance at Kingsley, I push open the heavy oak doors. As we step inside, the rich aroma of hops and malt greets us, mingling with the faint scent of wood smoke from the massive stone fireplace.

There, standing before us, is Thorak, looking every inch the confident, capable business owner in a tailored suit that hugs his muscular frame in all the right places.

"Robert, Mariah, welcome to Orc's Anvil," Thorak greets us, his deep, resonant voice sending a traitorous shiver down my spine.

His eyes meet mine for a brief moment, and I swear I see a flicker of something there—amusement, perhaps, or maybe even a hint of the same attraction that I'm desperately trying to ignore.

Thorak leads us through the brewery, pointing out the gleaming fermentation tanks and rows of oak barrels. I trail behind, trying to pay attention to his words rather than how his broad shoulders fill out his suit jacket.

It's a losing battle, though, especially when he starts talking about the intricacies of the brewing process, his love of his craft evident in every word.

He's just so fucking…competent. Watching a smart man confidently in his element does something to my insides that should be illegal.

"We use only the finest ingredients," Thorak explains to Kingsley, gesturing to a display of plump, fragrant hops. "And our water comes from an enchanted spring deep in the forest, imbuing each batch with a touch of magic."

We move on to the tasting room, where gleaming pint glasses await. I find myself drawn into the conversation, offering my own insights from a human perspective.

"The way Thorak has incorporated magical elements into the brewing process is really innovative," I tell Kingsley, genuinely meaning it. "It's the kind of thing that could really set Orc's Anvil apart in the market."

Thorak flashes me a grin, his tusks glinting in the warm light. "Exactly. We're not just another brewery—we're creating something unique, something that celebrates the best of both the magical and human worlds."

He launches into his vision for the future of Orc's Anvil, his deep voice resonating with authority. It's like watching a master craftsman at work, each word carefully chosen, each gesture perfectly calculated to showcase his expertise.

And I can't ignore the heat that pools in my belly every time his eyes meet mine, the way my heart races when he leans in close to emphasize a point. It's maddening, this attraction to the guy who once made my life hell.

I know I should be focused on the tour, on making sure Kingsley is sufficiently impressed, but all I can think about is the way Thorak's lips might feel against mine again, the way his strong hands might touch me. What would it be like to have his thick body sliding against mine?

I swallow hard, trying to pull myself together.

As the tour comes to an end, I stand beside Thorak as Kingsley turns to us, his gaze inscrutable.

"You talk a good game, Thorak," Kingsley says, holding out his hand to shake Thorak's. "I'm impressed by what I saw here and your vision for the place."

My breath hitches. Did we manage to convince him?

"But," he continues, and my heart sinks. "The most important thing is going to be how consumers approach your goods. I'd like to come see this taproom in action soon and observe reactions in real time. Can that be arranged?"

Thorak nods, totally unfazed by Kingsley's request. "Of course. We're closed today but you should come by tomorrow night."

"Will do. I suppose we should be heading back to the inn," Kingsley says. He turns to me. "Mariah, you're coming, I presume?"

I nod, ready to accompany him, but before I can take a step, Thorak's arm snakes around my waist, pulling me close against his muscular frame. I gasp, my body immediately responding to his touch, despite my best efforts to maintain a professional demeanor.

"Actually," Thorak says, his deep voice rumbling through me, "would you mind if Mariah stayed behind for a moment? There's something I wanted to discuss with her about, uh, our upcoming wedding."

I try not to snort, even as I glance down at the big engagement ring on my finger. It's a good lie, I suppose.

But what does he want to talk about?