The Minotaur and the Mage: A Cozy Monster Romance (Elderberry Falls Book 3) by Cora Crane

Author:Cora Crane [Crane, Cora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

Hours later, I find myself pushing open the door to Orc’s Anvil, desperate for a distraction from my own spiraling thoughts. Thankfully, tonight is Trivia Night—a ritual and routine that I never miss. The warm, familiar atmosphere of the taproom wraps around me like a comforting blanket, and I feel some of the stress drain from my body.

I spot Finnian at the bar and raise a hand in greeting, grateful for the sight of a friendly face. Working the bar is Thorak, the orc who owns the place, looking stressed out, his thick green brow more furrowed than usual. I head straight for the two of them, clapping Finn on the back.

“Alright there, Thorak?” I ask.

He grunts in response, pouring me one of his signature ales and passing it over. “Yeah, fine. Mariah’s reached the place in her pregnancy where she’s not sleeping, which means that I’m not sleeping either. She gets up ten times an hour to pee.”

I nod along, taking a sip of the cold, frothy beer. Even though it was years ago for me, I remember those nights well.

“She’s told me I should go sleep in the guest room,” he continues, “but what if something happens to her? What if she needs me? I feel so bad for her. I just want to make her feel comfortable.”

“Don’t worry, man,” I tell him. “The baby will be out soon. She’s due in what, six weeks? And then you’ll never get a good night’s sleep again the rest of your life. So really, you’re just getting used to your new reality.”

Thorak looks up at me in wide-eyed panic. “Never?”

“Never,” I repeat. “So you should take her up on that guest room right now. Get a good night’s sleep while you can, and then return the favor when the baby has come and let her get some shuteye while your baby is up all night. That’ll be more helpful to her than you stressing yourself out of rest right now.”

“Helpful, yeah,” he repeats, running his hands through his hair, looking dazed.

Finn and I exchange amused looks. Watching a good friend become a first-time father is always a good combination of heartwarming and hilarious.

“Anyway,” Finn says, “Mariah couldn’t make it tonight, too tired from the pregnancy, as you may have gathered.”

“Ah,” I say, disappointment setting in. Mariah’s the best person on our team. Without our fourth, we’ll have to forfeit.

“It’s okay, though,” Finn continues. “Ecco found a substitute.”

He gestures over to our usual table, where I see Ecco and Graeme and…

Natalie.

My heart kicks into overdrive, a dizzying mix of excitement and trepidation. I’m not ready to face her, not when I’m still reeling from my own failures and the weight of my secrets.

Ecco catches my eye and waves me over, her smile bright and inviting. I hesitate for a moment, then force myself to move forward.

“Rian! I’m so glad you could make it,” Ecco gushes as I approach the table. “Finn filled you in? Thank the gods Natalie was able to step in at the last minute.

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