Page 57

Fifty-Six

Lira tossed her apron at Sass and it landed on the dwarf’s head, covering her face.

“What in the moldy ogre’s—?” Sass spluttered as she pawed at the apron, flour dust sifting to her shoulders and the floor.

“Sorry, Sass.” Lira was already hurrying toward the tavern door. “It’s time.”

“Time?” Sass succeeded in removing the apron and held it in her hands as she watched Lira hurry across the great room. “Already?”

Lira grinned over her shoulder and nodded. “Wish me luck!”

“Good luck!” Tin waved wildly as he joined Sass in watching Lira run from the tavern, her cheeks pink with excitement .

Lira slowed her pace once she’d dashed outside, smoothing her hands down the front of her favorite green dress and steadying her breath as she walked to the bridge to meet Korl. The orc was in the middle, leaning his forearms on the low wall and watching the water burble its way over smooth stones.

He straightened and smiled when he saw Lira. It had been a month since they’d shared their first kiss on the rooftop, and plenty had changed. Durn and Penny had married in a simple ceremony with a reception at the tavern, Cali and Vaskel had decided to stay in Wayside even longer, the Night Faires had become a regular happenings again, and no one had seen even a hint of Rygor. But Lira still got butterflies in her stomach every time she saw the orc.

“I hope I’m not late. I was pulling a batch of scones from the oven and then Crumpet wanted a bite and—”

Korl took her hand in his. “You aren’t late. You’re the one who asked me to meet here anyway.”

“Right.” Lira let out a nervous giggle. “I almost forgot that part.”

Korl squeezed her hand, the warmth sending a calming pulse through her. “Did you want to take a walk or maybe visit the bakery?”

Lira guessed her obsession with Pip’s baked goods wasn’t much of a secret, but she pulled him forward. “Let’s walk through town, but maybe not the bakery right away.”

Korl shrugged. “I don’t mind where we walk as long as we’re together.”

Lira’s pulse quickened as they walked toward the village. She didn’t know if she was more nervous or more excited, but she was grateful for Korl’s firm grip on her hand that served to ground her. The sun was high in the sky but behind a haze of clouds, and luckily, there was a breeze to keep her from sweating.

She matched Korl’s relaxed pace as they passed the first few shops, and she drew him closer to the side of the road with the chandler’s storefront. A quick peek through the glass told her that Penny and Durn were chatting companionably behind the counter, as the pretty gnome handed him candles to stock on high shelves. Today wasn’t a day to stop in and visit the newlyweds, though.

Lira slowed as they walked in front of the tinker’s shop with the ever-present closed sign dangling at an angle on the front door. Ignoring the sign, she turned the knob and stepped inside.

Korl hesitated, but she beckoned him to follow her. “It’s okay. Come on in.”

“Is the shop finally open?” he asked.

“Not yet, but it will be when the new tinker moves in.” She swept an arm wide at the dusty shelves filled with iron contraptions and rusty tools. “What do you think?”

Korl breathed in the stale air. “There’s a new tinker?”

Lira bounced on her toes. “If you want the job, that is.”

Korl blinked at her. “Me?”

“The old tinker wanted to sell, so I decided to use some of the gold I’d saved to buy it. I know the place needs a bit of work, but after fixing up the tavern, how hard could it be? But if you don’t—”

“You got me a tinker shop?” Korl’s voice was a low rumble.

Uncertainly filled Lira, and suddenly her marvelous idea didn’t seem so great. “I did, but if you hate the idea—”

She didn’t get to finish her sentence because Korl swept her into his arms, his lips silencing hers with a kiss. She threw her arms around his neck, sinking into his embrace.

When he pulled away, she noticed faint sparks of gold escaping from beneath her hands. “So you like it?”

“If I’m a tinker, I don’t have to be a guard anymore.” His voice cracked. “It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

“Nicer than the spice cake I made for you?”

He chuckled. “Even nicer than that.”

Korl peered around the dimly-lit shop. “It’s really mine?”

“Really, really. And there’s an apartment above the shop, so I thought maybe we could…”

His eyes darkened. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure I don’t want to share a room with Sass forever. The dwarf can snore loud enough to wake the dead.”

“What if I snore?” he teased.

She pressed a hand to his muscular chest. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Korl nodded then reached into his pants pocket, producing a glittering silver ring. “Then I suppose Sass was right that it’s a good time to give you this.”

Lira’s mouth opened and closed like a hungry fish. “Sass? But she helped me plan this! That double-crosser!”

Korl shrugged. “She didn’t tell me why today was a good day, but she said I’d know when the time was right. Usually, I don’t know those things, but today I do.”

Lira lost the ability to speak as the orc dropped to one knee and took both her hands in one of his.

“Lira, I’ve loved you since the day you walked into me in front of TinPin’s shop, and every moment I’ve spent with you since I’ve loved you more and more. Will you marry me?”

Lira’s eyes swam with tears as she managed to bob her head, her hand shaking as Korl slid the delicate ring onto her finger. There might still be some uncertainties in her life—where Rygor had gone, who had bought the tavern for her and Sass—but her feelings for Korl was not one of them.

Then the orc stood, picking her up as he kissed her again, this one soft and tender. When he broke the kiss, he gave her a wicked grin. “Why don’t you show me our new apartment?”

So she did.