The Orc and the Innkeeper (Elderberry Falls, #1)

by Cora Crane

Chaos is normal in a small town, and even more common in a magical town like Elderberry Falls.

“There’s an unacceptable noise coming from the room above mine,” Mr. Kingsley says with a huff. “And I’ve seen...creatures lurking about.” “Creatures, Mr. Kingsley?” I keep my voice even, my smile fixed, but inside, I’m rolling my eyes so hard it hurts. “Our guests come in all shapes and sizes here. Diversity is part of the charm.”

the Moonflower Inn welcomes everyone—humans and magical beings alike.”

I swipe past a series of potential matches: a vampire who loves sunrises (ironic, much?), a werewolf with an allergy to fur (the poor guy), and a merman looking for someone who doesn’t mind long distances, literally.

Being a human in a magical town is never boring, that’s for sure. Sometimes I get treated like a sideshow attraction by my date. And sometimes I get the feeling that guys I’m seeing are just dating me because they find me exotic or a novelty.

But there are upsides. Monsters and magical beings are built differently from human men. Usually ...

Thorak Ironfist. I scowl at his photo, even as a heat forms low in my belly. Still stupidly handsome, I see. Probably still an unrepentant asshole, too.

That’s always been the problem with Thorak; his presence is like the pull of the moon on the tides, undeniable and powerful. And heat? That’s one thing he’s never lacked—in any sense of the word.

“My fiancée is human.”

Thorak Ironfist, the bane of my high school existence, with a human fiancée? Thorak, who once told me humans were the most inferior species on the planet?

There’s no way Thorak, with all his disdain for humans, has a human fiancée. No way.

But as I grab a napkin and wipe down the table, an almost definitely awful idea begins to form in my head.

Even red-faced and wheezing, she’s beautiful. Always has been.

Mariah’s seen enough idiocy from me to last a lifetime.

Still. Human fiancée. I don’t have a girlfriend anymore, let alone a fiancée, let alone a human one. Maybe I’m as dumb as he clearly thinks I am.

“They still think you two are destined for each other.” I groaned. Ygra and I had dated for four years. My parents loved her; still did. She was a giantess whose clan hailed from an area nearby our family’s historical clan.

At first, things were great—Ygra was fierce, ambitious, and stunningly beautiful. But over time, the cracks started to show. Ygra thought I should have taken over my parents’ brewery, which is the most popular in the magical world. She wanted me to expand our wealth and influence. Ygra liked the status and power that came from operating a conglomerate like that.

When I told her about my plans to strike out on my own and open a craft brewery, Ygra laughed in my face. It was the beginning of th...

paused at the door, my hand hovering over the weathered wood. Just get it over with, Thorak. In and out. You’re here for business, not Mariah.

but instead landed on her. Mariah. Gods above, she was as gorgeous as ever.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

Mariah was a dream I never allowed myself to have, a wish upon a star that I extinguished with my own hands.

couldn’t blame her. The last time we’d been this close, I’d been a heartless brute, spewing venom with every word.

nothing about Mariah has ever been forgettable to me.

I’ve envisioned. “She gives me great counsel, though,” I continued. “She’s not technically an employee of the brewery—” Since she doesn’t exist. “—But I don’t make any business decisions without her weigh-in.” There, that should satisfy him.

“It will be enlightening to see how an orc navigates a human relationship.”

“A human, huh? That’s a surprise.” Mariah’s voice cuts through the fog of my thoughts, a sharp blade of familiarity.

She leans in, and I brace myself, expecting a storm of accusations or a scathing rebuke. Her hair falls in waves, a cascade of chestnut that brushes against my arm, stirring something ancient and protective within me. “I’ll be your fiancée.”

“You heard me, Thorak. I’ll pretend to be your human fiancée.”

“Just what I said,” Mariah repeats firmly. “I’ll be your fake fiancée, Thorak. But it comes at a price.”

It’s a terrible idea for so many reasons. I should march over to Robert right now, come clean about my stupid lie, and beg for forgiveness. That would be the honorable thing to do.

But...the temptation to have Mariah close, to finally act on the forbidden crush I’ve harbored for over a decade, is overwhelming. More than that, this could be my one chance to make amends for how despicably I treated her back in high school. I’ve wanted to apologize for years but could never figure out how to approach her.

Our fake relationship might give me the opportunity to show I’ve changed an...

Mariah watches me intently, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes that she quickly masks. Fuck, even after everything, seeing her still makes my blood pound stupidly in my veins.

Twenty grand is pocket change to me.

Rich orc that my type

These next fourteen days will either be my sweetest fantasy come true—or my ultimate undoing.

through the taproom.

But I’m not a child anymore. And I refuse to let their narrow-minded views dictate my life. Or your heart, a voice whispers in the back of my mind. I do my best to ignore it.

“I don’t like this, Thorak. It’s too risky. What if Kingsley finds out? What if...what if you catch feelings for real? I’ve seen the way you look at her...”

“Look at the little human girl,” he’d sneered, thick fingers pinching my cheek hard enough to bruise. “Thinking she’s good enough to walk these halls with the rest of us. You’re nothing, you know that? Just a pathetic sack of mundane flesh.”

“I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a ring. An engagement ring. My breath catches as I take in the intricate design, the way the delicate gold band wraps around itself like vines, leading to a large, brilliant emerald at the center. It’s gorgeous, and undeniably orcish in its craftsmanship.

“Thorak,” I breathe, my eyes wide. “It’s beautiful. But isn’t this a bit...much? For a fake engagement?”

I lean closer to Thorak, placing a hand on his muscular arm. “This place is amazing, isn’t it, honey?” I say, loud enough for Robert to hear. “I love how it brings everyone together.”

Thorak nods, his golden eyes warm as they meet mine. “Absolutely. It’s one of our favorite spots in town.”

across the winding paths. I take Thorak’s hand, interlacing our fingers together as we walk. His skin is warm and rough against mine, a reminder of the strength and power that lies beneath his gentle touch. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder as we admire the beauty around us.

“About that...I think I should learn more about your business, Thorak. Kingsley had a lot of questions tonight that I couldn’t answer. If we’re going to make this believable, I need to know what I’m talking about.”

Thorak turns to me, his expression shifting from the stoic mask he wore for Kingsley to something softer, something vulnerable. That look—it stirs up a whirlwind inside of me, scattering my thoughts like leaves in a storm. This is Thorak Ironfist, but not the same one who haunts the corridors of my memory.

“Of course,” he says softly. “I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Come by the brewery tomorrow. I want this to work, M...

His words send a shiver down my spine, and I find myself leaning closer, drawn in by the warmth of his presence. Thorak reaches out, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. His touch is gen...

“Mariah,” he murmurs, his voice low and deep. “I know this isn’t easy for you, being here with me like this. But I want you to know that I’m grateful for what you’re doin...