Chapter 24 - Thorne #2
“Oh stop.” The petite demon slapped my shoulder as she laughed. “You’re always welcome here.”
I dug into the pie as she went back to help Varnok with the other pie, but the hero just sat there with a dumbfounded look on his face.
“Eat already.” I nudged the plate closer to him. “You don’t want them to think you don’t like it, do you?”
He snatched his fork up so fast I thought he might knock something over. He took a wary bite, reminding me of the first breakfast he’d eaten at the castle, but then his eyes widened.
“This is amazing!” He wolfed the rest of the slice down as Miri smiled at Noki. The hero turned to them. “Ma’am, could I please try another kind of pie as well? This was delicious.”
He didn’t even ask me, the one paying for that pie, but at least it meant he was comfortable here. That was the goal today, to show him that even the worst enemies he’d ever fought had another side to them. A softer side when they weren’t being forced to fight because of the humans’ fool of a King.
“Do you see now?” I asked. “Not all demons enjoy fighting. Some do, sure, but most of us just want to live in peace and focus on the things we love. Demons as a whole work hard on their art whether that’s baking, gardening, glass blowing, or anything in between.
We’re a people who love beautiful things and enjoy sharing the warmth of good food and good art with others.
You can’t just label us monsters because of how we look and call it a day. ”
“Of course not.” The hero wiped crumbs off his mouth with a frown. “But I’ve seen your generals hurt people.” He leaned over the table to whisper. “Varnok didn’t get the nickname the Destroyer for no reason, you know.”
I’d read the books, so I knew that, but I also knew that he’d never do that on a whim.
He was so at home here in this bakery with Miri, so for him to have gone to war, there had to be a good reason.
After spending enough time with the villagers, I think I knew what that reason was too: to protect our people.
“What if I told you that was self-defense?” I asked, taking another bite of pie. “Or more accurately, a rescue mission gone bad?”
“A rescue mission?” The hero leaned back in his chair. “Well, maybe I could see that. But why would he need to rescue anyone?”
I sighed. “Because the King makes a habit of kidnapping demons. Honestly, do you even know him at all? I thought you were supposed to be close.”
His shoulders slumped. “So did I, but I guess I’m as gullible and clueless as everyone says after all.
” He rested his head in his hands, looking utterly defeated.
“I thought I was doing a good thing. Thought I was saving people. But the more I see of you and this village, the more I think I’ve been tricked and used for some nefarious plot. ”
That had seemed obvious from the moment we realized he was part demon, but now was not the time to rub it in. Miri came over with more pie, chocolate cream this time, patting the hero on the shoulder even though she had no idea what was going on. He took a bite, and his eyes lit up.
“Thank you,” he mumbled around the pie. “You’re all very kind and I will never forget this.”
Varnok slammed his cleaver into the counter again with a grunt and a glare our way. Had he figured out who the hero was yet? I gripped the table, ready to step in if I needed to, but the big oaf of a baker just shook his head.
“Nobody forgets our pies,” he said solemnly. “Or else we’ll just have to feed you more to jog your memory.”
Miri grinned. “Pies and threats, it’s our own little charm. Don’t take him seriously.”
“Right.” The hero nodded, taking another bite. “I’ll eat as many as he requires. I’ll come here every day if I must.”
“Hear that, Noki?” Miri called out. “We’ve got a customer for life now!”
As they laughed, the hero settled back in his chair with that helpless look he’d had at the library. “What do I do now?”
“Figure out who you are and what’s really going on in the world before you try saving anyone again.” I sighed as he fell back against his chair. “Don’t look so discouraged. I’ll help you.”
“Like a mentor?” The hero’s eyes lit up again. “Or a teacher?”
“Whatever gets you to pay attention. You can still save people, you just need to learn which ones really need saving first. Because from how I’m looking at it, the demons are the ones who need you most right now.”
The hero stared at Noki and Miri putting our apple pie in the oven to bake.
The Destroyer wrapped an arm around her, picking her up to kiss her cheek.
She giggled and kissed him on the mouth with so much passion that we had to look away before things got awkward.
Their love shined brighter than the fire in the oven, blazing hot every time I saw them together.
They were such a lovely couple and if this war continued, they’d probably be ripped apart.
I didn’t want to see that, and I hoped the hero didn’t either.
He took a deep breath. “You know what, I think you’re right. It’s about time I fought for all people, not just humans. If you help me, I bet we can make this world a much better place.”
I almost choked on my pie. “Help you? But you’re the hero, this is your job.”
“Pretty sure you’re a hero too, in your own way.
” The hero grinned as I coughed, drinking a whole glass of water.
He chuckled warmly. “Let’s show that King who’s boss around here.
If the most powerful hero and the most powerful demon work together, I bet there’s nothing that can stop us.
That’s what your consort wanted, right?”
True, that did seem to be where Willow wanted to go with this story, and I hated to admit it, but after getting to know the hero, I had absolutely no urge to fight him anymore.
All those visions of our great battle were just gone, like a dream I couldn’t quite remember.
He was still infuriating, but in the annoying younger brother kind of way instead of the arch nemesis way.
“Okay, we can try working together,” I said. “But only if you let me decide who’s telling the truth or not. You are far too gullible for your own good. We should work on that.”
The hero blushed as red as the cherry pie from earlier. “Fine. That sounds reasonable.”
“If we’re going to work together, then you should start calling me by my real name,” I mumbled, pushing a few pie crumbs around on my plate. “It’s Thorne.”
“You are pretty prickly, so that makes sense.” The hero’s eyes widened when I glared at him, then he smiled and laughed. “Kidding. It’s nice to meet you Thorne. My name’s Leo. Glad we can move past this whole hero and Demon Lord thing.”
I nodded. “Leo suits you. Like the golden lion hero.” I squinted at his fluffy ears and tail, thinking about his eager personality and energetic vibes. “Or maybe a golden retriever is more your style?”
Leo slumped over in his chair with a dramatic sigh. “You wound me, Thorne. I thought we were allies! But you apparently see me as a dog.”
“Dogs are nice though. I like dogs.” I felt myself smiling just a bit at the absurdity of this conversation.
I never would have thought the hero and I could joke around like this.
It felt nice, like what friends sounded like.
I held out my hand to him. “Let’s save this forsaken world of ours together. ”
That perked him right up as he reached out to shake my hand. “Yes! But first, let’s try a few more pies. Who knew this place would have such good food?”
Miri beamed behind the counter. “Make sure to tell all your friends. The Destroyer’s Bakery is the best in the business.”
Varnok loomed over her, cleaver in hand as he nodded.
They made such an odd pairing, with him literally overshadowing her in every physical way, but her bright personality and cheer was exactly what he needed to open up.
Miri reminded me of Willow, actually. I really wanted to take her here soon and share this special place with her.
Maybe once she was done writing the book we could come back here and have a good conversation. Maybe it could even be our first official date.