Chapter 2
Poppy
“S orry for the inconvenience ,” I say as I scrape the bowl of stew clean and take another drink of the best beer I’ve ever had. Actually, it’s the best food I’ve had in a long time. My sister, Addy, and I mostly eat sandwiches and cheap pasta. I feel like a wild animal, hunched over my food. My eyes scan the room, taking in the group of tentacled monsters and orcs playing Rummikub in the corner. The kitchen and brew area must be behind the swinging door by the bar.
The fire in the stone hearth crackles as it warms me. The copper pipes and kettles reflect the flames in a mesmerizing dance of nature and architecture. It melts away all my embarrassment at having fainted. I would love to curl up in this booth with a book. Cozy and safe.
But that’s not why I’m here.
“You could never be an inconvenience,” Koru, the orc, says with an intense frown on his face as he sets down a mug of tea for me. His one broken fang sends a tingling shiver up my spine—I wonder how he broke it. I imagine the other guy looks worse.
Empty dishes picked up, he looks like he’s about to say something else, but then turns and walks away. It’s for the best; I’m here for one purpose. Flirting with the orc is not on my schedule. And if I want Addy and me to be safe, I need to stay focused.
Standing, I gather my scarf, hat, and layers to wrap up, trying to ignore Koru stoking the fire. Even though there’s still snow outside, his flannel shirt is cuffed over his forearms, exposing his thick, ropey muscles to the world. I’ve never thought much about orcs one way or the other, even though my family certainly does—which is why I’m here. My core flutters with something like anticipation as I gawk at him. His shirt must be thin as his back muscles ripple under his shirt as he makes the fire grow, hypnotizing me. My heart rate increases, a steady thump of, get closer. I’d love to feel those muscles flexing under my hands.
No, Poppy, focus. You have a job to do. Look away .
Begrudgingly, I look away. The brewery is atmospheric with wood and stone walls, big furniture—comfortable for both human and monsters, and a neat row of metallic steins lined up neatly behind the bar. It’s got such a great feel for it. My stepdad’s attempt at building a brewery is like child’s play compared to this place. Not that he would ever listen to my input.
Ah! There it is! An old-timey parchment paper rolled up and tied with a golden ribbon. It sits on a special shelf just above the golden, engraved stein.
It can’t be this easy. Can it? The recipe worth my freedom and my sister’s safety, just sitting there on a shelf in a brewery in this tiny town. I thought orcs were more possessive than this. A step closer, and I can see a small sign next to it that says, “Award winning recipe from the Great Northern Beer Rack Competition.” The idea that it sits there, unguarded for anyone to see, touch, take...takes my breath away and makes my hands itchy.
Marcus, my stepdad, said this would take a while. That it would be hard to find the recipe, seeing as orcs are sneaky vile creatures, his words, not mine. This one cast a spell on the judges. Be careful. One meal in, and I think orcs, especially Koru, are majestic and powerful. It’s possible his fire and body have already put a spell on me. From all I’ve seen, I’m okay with that. Though, they may be a bit gullible if they’re leaving prize-winning recipes lying about in plain sight.
Then again, when do I ever trust Marcus? Never.
Except for now. I’m here only because I have to hope that he’ll uphold the end of his promise. This will be my last theft. I have to believe that he’ll keep his word. That my sister Addy, and myself, will be free after this. She’ll have an education paid for, and I’ll no longer have to be his pawn and thief. I will be free to make my own choices, forge my own path.
Flannel, sweater, coat, six feet of blue scarf that Addy knit for me, the matching hat she also knit, fingerless gloves, and mittens. Oof, I’m already sweating. When Koru stands and stretches, the fluttering sensation inside me feels out of control. I put my hand on my heart to steady myself—but my stupid heart sends me messages that conflict with what I need to do.
What I need to do is get away from here, quickly, with the recipe, and hide to wait for Marcus to collect me and his prize that he swears will change his life. My stepdad is such a sore loser. He raged for days after the beer competition, swearing that the orc had put a spell on the judges. That there was no way possible that an orc could make a better beer than him.
After he calmed down and sobered up, he concocted this plan. To steal the recipe, claim it for himself, and make himself rich off the work of this orc. I stopped questioning Marcus’s schemes years ago. It’s safer that way. I do what I’m told so that one day, very soon, I can be free.
What I need is to not get weak in the knees at the look of pure devotion Koru gives me. I don’t understand. No one has ever looked at me like this, like I am the sun. The intensity of his eyes on me takes my breath away, like he can see into the darkest places inside me. I have to get out of here now.
Taking two steps toward the door. Now that I know where the recipe is, I’ll come back later when it’s closed. He shakes his head at me, and I stop—an obedient puppy waiting for her treat. My cheeks flush with embarrassment. Koru walks over to me and gently unwinds the scarf from around my neck.
“You can’t leave. It isn’t safe. I don’t know what you’re running from, but I will protect you here.” Koru’s words strike a chord inside me. No one has ever offered to protect me, not since I was a little girl. I wish I could let him. Just curl into him and have him fight the demons for me. Unfortunately, I am the demon here. I’m the one stealing from him.
He tugs the hat off my head, smiling gently at my mussed hair. Instinctively, I reach up to smooth my brown tresses, but he grasps my hands and holds them in his. Though his hands are large and rough, they are gentle with me. Seeing my small hands in his giant ones fills me with a satisfaction and longing. In another life, I could see this working out very well for us both.
We’d walk hand-in-hand through town. Folks would wave at us, and we’d wave back, smile, be part of this community. My hands would scrape against his rock-solid chest when he holds me in his giant paws. His thick fingers would twist my nipples while I kiss him deeply. At night, he’d hold me close in bed and be mine, forever.
“Have you ever heard of fated mates?” Koru’s eyes pierce my soul with their earnestness.
I shake my head vigorously to shake my thoughts and his words away. “That’s a fairytale. A lie to keep young kids waiting for the impossible. Besides, you don’t want me.”
The lighting is low and soft, but his earrings and septum ring glint in the firelight. When I heave a sigh, unsure how I can possibly leave the safety I feel here with Koru, after just a couple of hours, when I know my staying puts everyone I love at risk. I can’t put Addy at risk. My sister is my everything, and my responsibility. If it were just me, I would disappear from Marcus. But it isn’t.
Koru’s eyes flash, a hint of something dangerous—but not for me. I feel nothing but secure with him. As I breathe, his eyes watch my chest rise and fall, and a shiver of delight runs down my spine. It’s hard to believe that this massive orc believes in something as outlandish as fated mates.
“Maybe you have never dealt with orcs before, but we can hold our own. We know what we want. And we protect what’s ours.” His voice is rich, deep, growly. The kind of voice that could read the alphabet aloud and make my toes curl with desire.
“‘Protect what’s ours?’” I swallow hard. Does he know why I’m here? My heart thumps hard, heat flashes up my torso. I need to get out of here. What have I done? With every other theft, I’ve kept my wits about me, stayed invisible or kept my distance. I can’t get caught, can’t let these wild thoughts and feelings compromise me. Coughing a bit, I bend over, letting the cough overtake me. I can’t let him see the panic and desperation in my eyes. Or the tears that prick my eyes. Damnit Poppy, get it together.
“Can I get you some water or tea?” His voice is concerned as his hand rests tentatively on my back. I nod, continuing to cough, refusing to stand tall and look at him.
“I’ll be right back.” His big, spiked boots walk away, making the floor wobble under every step. I stay hunched, coughing, until I hear the swish of the door to the kitchen. Now.
Continuing my fake hack, but quieter, I climb the chair nearest to the shelf and grab the recipe. For good measure, I take the stein, too. Oof, it’s heavier than I imagined. I hope this orc doesn’t kill me when he realizes what I’ve done. No one looks at me. No one cares about me.
In another life, I imagine coming back here, being a waitress and bartender here during the evenings. Loving Koru every night. My chest tightens at the thought of what could be. If I didn’t have an asshat for a stepdad. If I didn’t need to make sure my sister Addy gets an education so she can get far, far away from Marcus. My life for hers. Whatever it takes. Even if it means love with this kind, gigantic orc can never be mine.
I plunk my hat back on my head, re-wrap my scarf around my neck, tuck a piece of the hearty bread that came with the stew into my pocket for later, and walk through the door of the brewery. I can hear him whistling as pottery clinks together. Tea for two?
Damnit. In another life, Poppy.
I step out into the frosty evening air. The moon greets me with its cold light overhead, a promise that if I keep going, it won’t be okay, but my journey will be finished.