Chapter 20

20

THORAK

W hen I wake in the early morning hours, Mariah's warm, supple body is nestled against my chest, her chestnut hair fanned out across the pillow. She stirs slightly, murmuring my name. A surge of affection and possessiveness washes over me.

Last night was beyond anything I've ever experienced. The moment our lips met, all the pent-up desire and longing combusted into an inferno.

I close my eyes, savoring the vivid flashes of memory—the silky caress of her skin against my hands, the heated look in her eyes as she stroked the ridges of my cock, the blissful union of our bodies as I claimed her, again and again, until we collapsed in a tangle of sweat-slicked limbs.

The air in her quarters still hangs heavy with the heady musk of our lovemaking.

I know I should slip away, get to the brewery early to get the day's operations started. But my entire body rebels at the thought of leaving Mariah's embrace.

We orcs mate for life, but I've never understood the true depth of that bond. With Ygra, I couldn't get myself to a place where I ever wanted to make that commitment, to tie myself to her side for eternity.

But after last night, my world has been turned on its head. I would do anything to get Mariah to accept me as her mate.

With a soft groan, I force myself to disentangle from Mariah's sleeping form. She makes a small noise of protest that nearly crumbles my resolve, but I know I have responsibilities to tend to, no matter how much it kills me to leave her side. I only hope Mariah will understand my absence when she wakes.

I dress as quietly as I can, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest and the way the sunlight dances across her flawless skin. It takes every inch of my resolve to not crawl back into the bed and wake her up with my tongue.

Reluctantly, I slip out of Mariah's quarters, down the hall and into the inn's lobby. It's empty and quiet in these early morning hours, the opposite of last night's performance.

I'm halfway to the door when a familiar voice stops me in my tracks. "Just the male I wanted to see!"

I spin around to find Robert Kingsley coming down the stairs to the guest rooms, impeccably groomed even at this early hour.

"Good morning," I say, wishing I could've had some coffee before this interaction. But it's nice to see Robert in good spirits; the afterglow of Ecco's performance seems to still be lingering.

Robert strides towards me purposefully, a broad smile lighting up his distinguished features. "I was going to come find you this morning. I've made a decision, Thorak. I'm going to invest in Orc's Anvil and help you distribute your ales far and wide. I've been impressed by your business acumen and I believe in your vision."

For a moment, I'm struck speechless.

"I...I don't know what to say," I stammer eventually, my voice thick with emotion. To have Robert's backing, to finally bring a taste of Elderberry Falls' magic to the rest of the world… "Thank you, Robert. You won't regret this."

"I'm sure I won't." He claps me on the shoulder, eyes twinkling. "Your brews are something special, Thorak. Let's share them with those who need a little enchantment in their lives."

I nod vigorously, a grin splitting my face. "Absolutely. I'll have my lawyer Finn draw up the paperwork right away. We'll toast to a bright future!"

We shake on it, Robert's hand firm in my larger one, sealing our new partnership.

I head out into the morning feeling like I'm walking on air, each step buoyant. The quaint streets of Elderberry Falls take on an even more vibrant sheen—the colorful storefronts shining brighter, the scent of honeysuckle sweeter.

Arriving at the brewery, I pause to admire the rustic stone facade. Soon, the whole world will know this brewery. Then, I throw open the weathered oak doors and striding inside. The rich aroma of malted barley greets me like an old friend.

My team is already hard at work, measuring out fragrant hops with meticulous care, testing recipes to coax out bold new flavors. I move between them, offering words of encouragement that come easier than ever before.

Gruna's in the back office, poring over invoices, her brow adorably furrowed in concentration. She glances up as I burst in, practically bouncing on my feet in excitement.

"You'll never guess what just happened, Gru! Robert's on board. He's going to help us expand, get our ales out there in the human world!"

Gruna leaps from her chair and throws her arms around me. "Oh Thorak, that's incredible! I'm so proud of you. You've worked so hard for this."

We hold each other tightly, swaying back and forth as we laugh in pure elated relief. This business has not been easy for Gruna, either. Even though she's closer to Ma and Da, or maybe especially because of their closeness, I know she's always fretting about disappointing them by striking out on her own.

But now, our dream is finally within reach.

Once Gruna composes herself, dabbing at her eyes, she shoos me out of the office with a playful smirk.

"Well don't just stand here grinning like a fool. We have a celebration to plan, and I bet there's a certain lovely innkeeper who deserves to hear the good news."

She's right, of course. I practically skip to my own office, pulling out my phone. Mariah picks up on the first ring.

"Oh, so he lives," she says, a playful tone in her voice. "I missed you this morning. I was hoping for a third go. Where did you run off to?"

I run a nervous hand through my hair. "I'm so sorry I left you like that. I had to get to Orc's Anvil to get the tanks going and I didn't want to wake you. But I have some exciting news that I'd much rather share in person. Can you come by the brewery this afternoon?"

"I should be able to slip away for a while," she says. "See you in a couple of hours."

I reluctantly end the call, wishing I could just keep Mariah's voice in my ear all day. But there's work to do and a celebration to prepare for.

The next couple hours fly by in a blur of activity. I oversee the latest batch of our signature ale, approve new label designs, and even manage to sneak in a quick grooming session for Snuffles, who's been trotting around the brewery carrying a little barrel on his back, much to the delight of the staff.

I'm just putting the finishing touches on a special experimental brew I've been tinkering with, a rich stout infused with Mariah's favorite dark chocolate and chili peppers, when I hear the front door chime. My heart leaps into my throat and I bound out to the tasting room, an eager grin on my face.

But the figure silhouetted in the doorway is not the petite, curvy frame I was expecting.

"Hello, Thorak. It's been a while."

Ygra steps into the brewery as if she owns it, her large figure imposing. Time has only enhanced her beauty, her angular features sharper and more striking than ever. She saunters towards me with confident grace.

"Ygra. What are you doing here?" I manage, my throat suddenly dry.

She smiles shyly, her gray eyes lighting up as she looks around the brewery. "Wow, the place has really come together over the past year, Thor. I can't believe I ever doubted you."

I, for one, was never surprised that she doubted me. Ygra is a kind female, but ambitious. Striking out on my own got in the way of her plans for us: taking over my family's company, inheriting their wealth, becoming the society couple to envy in Elderberry Falls.

I just grunt in response.

Breaking up was good for both of us. I was able to give my full attention to my dreams, and without me tying her here, Ygra took an architecture apprenticeship with a renowned giant architect who specializes in monster dwellings.

Ma mentioned that she'd seen Ygra again around town but I didn't think she'd want to rehash the past either.

Her gaze flickers back toward me and she smiles again, a little bolder this time, and moves toward me. "My apprenticeship ended last month so I'm back, for good. I'm starting a new job at a firm here. I was hoping…"

She trails off, biting her lip and looking uncharacteristically coy.

"What, Ygra?" I ask, a bite in my tone. All of a sudden, I can sense where this is going and I don't like it at all.

Ygra reaches out, putting a hand on my bicep. She looks at me pleadingly, her gaze almost level with mine.

"I was hoping we could get together for coffee soon. I'd love to talk about what happened between us. I've been thinking about you all year, Thor. I know I fucked things up. But I've changed. I'd like to show you that."

Politely as I can, I pull my arm out of her hand. I don't want to hurt her; I loved her, once. But that love is long gone.

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Ygra," I gently tell her. "I've moved on. But I'll see you around town, okay?"

I turn and walk back toward the brewing area, needing to put some distance between us.

Before I can get too far, Ygra pleads, "Thorak, wait?—"

As I turn around to tell her to leave, her heel catches a slick patch of newly mopped floor and her legs go out from under her. I lunge forward and catch her, my arms around her waist, Ygra in a sultry swoon.

And at that exact moment, with my arms wrapped around my ex-girlfriend in an undoubtedly intimate-looking pose, Mariah walks in the door.