Chapter 21

21

MARIAH

T he moment I swing open the heavy door of Orc's Anvil, my breath stops in my chest.

Thorak stands in the middle of the taproom, his large green hands spanning the waist of a statuesque giantess as she leans dramatically backwards, her lustrous, long dark hair nearly brushing the concrete floor.

The romantic tableau sends a jolt of shock through me.

Thorak spots me and quickly pushes the giantess away, his chiseled face a mix of surprise and dismay.

"Mariah," he says gruffly, his voice echoing in the nearly empty taproom. "This is Ygra, my...ex-girlfriend. Ygra, this is Mariah...my..."

He trails off awkwardly, clearly unsure how to define our relationship. Fake fiancée? One-night-stand from last night? Something more?

My fingers instinctively tighten around the delicate necklace Thorak returned to me last week, the one his friend Zara had callously broken. The cool metal against my skin has been a comfort, a reminder of his care, but now it just feels heavy and lifeless.

"I'm helping Thorak with his distribution deal," I say to Ygra, pasting on a friendly smile even as my stomach twists with nerves.

I want to trust Thorak, to believe in the tender connection that sparked between us, but seeing him in another woman's arms stirs up all my old insecurities about how trustworthy he really is.

To my annoyance, Ygra is even more arresting up close. She stands at least a foot taller than me, her well-defined features striking rather than traditionally pretty. High cheekbones, full lips, and glittering gray eyes give her a magnetic appeal.

"It's so wonderful to meet you!" Ygra gushes, her melodious voice filling the cavernous space. She clasps my hand in both of hers, her genuine enthusiasm and friendly expression making it hard to dislike her outright. "Any friend of Thorak's is a friend of mine."

Her casual reference to me as a "friend" pricks at my heart, a stab of jealousy shooting through me. What is Ygra to him? Is she a friend now, too? Or would he consider his ex to be something more?

I want to be the only woman lighting up Thorak's world, I realize.

Especially after last night.

But now, with Ygra beaming at me expectantly, a wave of uncertainty passes over me.

Forcing a smile, I squeeze Ygra's hand and then release it. "Great to meet you too," I say, attempting to sound as enthusiastic as she did, but falling a bit flat.

Ygra looks between me and Thorak, quirking an eyebrow as the silence stretches awkwardly. "Well, I'll catch up with you later, Thor," she says lightly, and then pulls him into a hug before heading out.

The door closes behind Ygra with a soft click. I turn to Thorak, my brow furrowed. I know I must have unspoken questions all over my face, because he immediately starts speaking.

"It wasn't what it looked like, Mariah," Thorak says awkwardly, his deep voice tinged with a note of desperation. "I swear, I was just catching her. She slipped on a wet spot where someone had mopped the floor."

I should believe him. I should trust in the sincerity shining in his golden eyes, in the gentle way his large hands engulf mine. But apprehension niggles at the back of my mind, a persistent whisper I can't quite silence.

That same feeling crept into my mind this morning…when I woke up alone, tangled sheets, Thorak's warmth notably absent.

The self-doubt that followed, the way I talked myself out of my hurt—it all feeds into my current uncertainty, each small worry compounding into a leaden weight in my stomach.

Jolting me out of my inner turmoil, Thorak squeezes my hands, his gaze earnest. "Mariah, the reason I wanted you to come over was to tell you in person that we did it. Robert is going to distribute my ales, and it's all thanks to you."

Joy bursts through me, momentarily overshadowing my doubts and insecurities. "Thorak, that's incredible!" I exclaim, throwing my arms around his neck.

He spins me around in excitement, his laughter rumbling through his chest. When he sets me down, his lips find mine in a searing kiss. My worries temporarily disappear, chased away by the heat that shoots through me.

I let myself sink into the solid warmth of him for a moment before pulling back slightly to look into his face.

"I guess this means we can stop pretending to be engaged," I say tentatively, testing the waters.

Thorak's face darkens, his brow furrowing. "Of course not," he says firmly. "The paperwork will take a while, and who knows how long Robert will need to stay in town while it's being done. We may have to be fake engaged for weeks still!"

I paste on a smile. Thorak tells me he's prepared a special batch of ale for the occasion and pours us both glasses, the rich dark liquid swirling with enchanted golden bubbles.

We toast to our success, but as I take a sip, the ale tastes bitter on my tongue. The celebration is hollow, tainted by that small, anxious voice that has crept in.

How much of our relationship is just an act? And once the contracts are signed, what then?

I should be over the moon, swept up in Thorak's infectious enthusiasm as he talks about the deal. But I can't shake the image of him and Ygra. The spice of her perfume still hangs in the air, distracting me every time I take a breath.

I take another swig of ale, hoping the gentle burn will chase away her presence. But instead the drink settles in my stomach like lead.

My mood is still low when I step inside The Enchanted Bean the next afternoon. The coffeeshop's quaint charm starts to ease my anxiety immediately, the overstuffed armchairs beckoning. I sink gratefully into a fluffy turquoise chair, its enchantment making the huge pillows feel like a comforting hug.

Like magic, one of the baristas, a slender young fae with striking tattoos, sets down my usual order before me mere moments after I arrive.

But even the comfort of my favorite coffee shop can't fully lift the somber mood that clings to me like a shadow. I've barely taken a sip of my drink when Ecco arrives, her shimmering blue hair cascading behind her as settles in next to me.

"Hi!" she exclaims, violet eyes wide with excitement as she settles in across from me. "Okay, I have been dying here. What is going on with you and Thorak? The tension between you two was off the charts at my performance the other night. Spill."

I can't hold back my blush, memories of two nights ago flooding back. "We slept together," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ecco's face lights up. "You did! I knew it, he's head-over-heels for you."

"It was...unbelievable," I admit, a wistful smile tugging at my lips. "Unlike anything I've ever experienced, with anyone. But..."

I tap my mug gently and watch as it refills itself with steaming, aromatic coffee. My gaze catches on the swirling patterns of my vanilla foam.

"There's a part of me that can't let go of our past," I tell her. "And now, with his deal about to close and the extermination at the inn almost done...what if he doesn't want me anymore when this is all over?"

Ecco reaches across the table, resting her hand on mine. "Mariah, honey. From what I've seen, that orc is completely smitten with you. Don't let your fears make you blind to what's right in front of you."

Just as I open my mouth to respond, I catch a snatch of conversation from the next table over. A group of witches clutch mismatched teacups and nibble on scones. Their voices carry in the tiny space.

"Did you hear? Ygra's back in town," one of them says, clearly reveling in the gossip.

My heart seizes painfully.

"I heard she and Thorak are getting back together," another witch chimes in. "They always made such a natural couple."

My fingers tighten around my mug until my knuckles turn white. The doubts that had been receding suddenly solidify again, sharp and painful.

Ecco, bless her, immediately notices my distress. "Ignore them," she says firmly, squeezing my hand. "Gossiping harpies, the lot of them."

I know she's right. I force myself to take a deep breath and unclench my jaw. But in the back of my mind, I worry the damage isn't so easily undone. The seed of doubt has been planted, and I fear it will take more than Ecco's reassurances to uproot it.

Well, then. I don't have to sit around and wait for a sign. I resolve to go talk to Thorak immediately after Ecco and I leave The Enchanted Bean. The decision takes just a smidge of the tension from my shoulders.

"Enough about that. Tell me about you," I say, leaning in. "How are you feeling about the gigs at the inn?"

I set off towards Thorak's house with single-minded intention, my steps quick and purposeful—and perhaps fueled by a cup too much of coffee, if I'm honest.

The words I'm going to say to him play on a loop in my mind.

I'll tell him that I want to define our relationship, to be open with everyone about it. It's fast, but our past is screwing with my head, and I've realized that I need certainty about what we're doing.

No more ambiguity.

But when I near his stone cottage, I see a figure emerging from the front door.

My stomach twists as I recognize Ygra's statuesque form. She's walking Thorak's teacup boar, Snuffles, who trots happily at her feet, his adorable little hooves tapping merrily on the pavement.

Snuffles is a tiny thing, barely reaching Ygra's ankles. His glossy black fur gleams in the sunlight, his little pink snout twitching as he snuffles along the ground. I'd appreciate his cuteness more if I didn't want to throw up at the sight of the giantess walking him.

If Ygra is nothing to worry about and she and Thorak are truly over…

What is she doing here at his home, walking his pet?

Ygra spots me and waves, her easy smile as bright as the sun. "Maria! How lovely to see you," she calls out, butchering my name.

I force my own smile, taking a deep breath. "It's Mariah, actually," I correct her, my voice strained.

"Of course, silly me," Ygra laughs, waving a dismissive hand. "Thank you for all your help with Thor's deal. We both so appreciate you."

Each kind word is like a dagger to my chest, her friendly demeanor only heightening my discomfort. What does she mean they both appreciate me?

Have they been talking about me? Together?

Ygra lifts her hand up to tuck her hair behind her ear, and I can't control the gasp I let out.

There's an ornate engagement ring on her ring finger.

It's a stunning piece, clearly ancient and valuable. The gems catch the light, casting a kaleidoscope of colors. Ygra sees me looking at it and smiles, holding out her hand for a better view.

"Gorgeous, isn't it? It's an Ironfist family heirloom," she explains, her voice tinged with pride.

The words punch me in the gut.

Why the hell is Ygra wearing Thorak's family heirloom engagement ring? My mind goes blank, filled with the buzz of panic.

There's only one, extremely obvious explanation. Gods, I am such a fucking fool.

"It's lovely," I manage to choke out when I realize the silence has stretched on too long. My voice sounds foreign to my own ears.

Ygra points to the ring on my finger, the one Thorak gave me as the ring for our fake engagement.

"Oh, and look what you're wearing! Isn't that precious? That was my old promise ring from Thorak. It's so cute that he gave it to you for your little fake-engagement charade!"

Her words hit me like a physical blow. The color drains from my face, and I feel my hands start to shake.

Ygra beams, oblivious to my inner turmoil. She gives Snuffles's leash a gentle tug. "Well, we best be off. It was wonderful to bump into you, Maria!"

She saunters off, Snuffles trotting happily beside her. I'm left standing alone on the sidewalk, my carefully rehearsed speech forgotten, my world tilting on its axis.

My mind races, piecing together all the little doubts and inconsistencies from the past few days—Thorak's early morning departure, the intimate scene at the brewery between him and Ygra, his insistence that we keep our focus on faking an engagement, the gossiping witches at the cafe, and now this.

The memories combine and twist together in my head, berating me.

How could I have been so blind? So stupid?

Thorak and Ygra are clearly together. Engaged for real. I was just a pawn in their game, a means to an end.

Thorak played me.

Again.

And like a glutton for punishment, I let him.

Anger surges through me, white-hot and all-consuming. I turn on my heel and start walking, my steps quick and purposeful.

I have no idea where I'm going, but I know I can't stay here. I need to put as much distance between myself and Thorak as possible.

I'm furious at him for his deception, for making me believe that we could have something real. But I'm even angrier at myself for letting my guard down, for allowing myself to be vulnerable.

Never again. I've learned my lesson, once and for all.