Page 107 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Oh.” Miranda looked at the house again. “Do you think she’s not in there? Maybe she went to the hall?”

“I... don’t know. I can’t scent her past the sage.”

Miranda searched his face for a long moment.

“If you’re worried about her, then come on,” Miranda tugged his hand, and he allowed her to lead him across the path and onto Viravia’s stoop. She knocked without preamble and Govek held his breath.

They heard a slight rustling within. The curtain next to the door moved slightly and an eye peeped through. That eye widened at the sight of them and disappeared back into the darkened home.

Then light flickered brighter, and the door sprang open.

“Well, good evening,” Viravia said quickly, glancing between the two of them. Her bright blue eyes flashed in the dim light, her dark hair glistened. “How are you two? Please come in.”

Govek hesitated, struck a little dumb by this oddly warm welcome. He only crossed the threshold when Miranda placed a hand at his back and gave a light shove.

The home was the same as he remembered, and Govek was struck in the gut by that. The furniture was in the same place. Tavggol’s favorite chair was nestled in the corner. The rugs and wall hangings hadn’t budged. Viravia had not even switched out the glassware for smaller, more manageable items.

It felt as if at any moment Tavggol would walk down those steps. His eyes would widen at Govek’s sudden appearance. He’d laugh and tease him about never wanting to visit in the clan and then force Govek to sit by his fire and talk until the sun brightened the windows.

“Are you all right, Govek?” Viravia asked, soft and pressing.

Govek swallowed hard, working to find words.

“Why don’t you let me make you some tea?” Miranda suggested softly. “Let him have a moment.”

“No,” Govek said swiftly, the familiar bubbling of anger rising in the back of his throat. “No. I don’t need a moment.”

They hadn’t come here for him. He was being a fool.

“Govek,” Viravia started, but he just shot her a hard look and she sucked in a breath. “Why don’t you both come sit down?”

“I was only here to bring Miranda. I do not want to intrude.”

“You could never be an intruder here,” Viravia said, rubbing her belly. His eyes fixed to the swell of it. The lump in his throat grew anew. “Here.” She pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. “Sit.”

He should have left, stormed out the door and gone back to his home on the outskirts. He should not be standing here pretending that everything was well and that his own lack of action hadn’t led to his brother’s demise.

“Govek.”

The call was strong. Firm. He looked into Viravia’s eyes and saw the strength that his brother must have fallen for.

“Set it aside,” Viravia demanded, and his gut pitched. “There has been more than enough guilt in the last season. It was not your fault.”

It was not his fault? She should be raging at him, casting him out, calling him vile.

He’d known that the trade deal with Clairton felt off, that there was something wrong, but he’d let the matter drop in the face of Tavggol’s determination. He’d been too distracted with Yerina’s endless demands and had let Tavggol leave.

And his brother had never come back.

“It’s not your fault,” Viravia said softly, and the words cracked at something in Govek’s chest. She turned away as if she hadn’t just shattered him with her forgiveness.

“I’ll make tea, Miranda. It’s no trouble,” Viravia said, waving Miranda into a chair. “How have you been? I hear things haven’t been exactly... easy in the clan.”

Miranda settled into the large wood chair. The back was too tall for her. “Yeah, we’ve been spending a lot of time in the woods. Basically, only going back to the house to sleep right now. Seems like everyone and their mother is trying to talk to Govek.”

“I’m sure,” Viravia said, trundling into the kitchen area. She seemed to get around easily enough, but there was bedding stacked on the end of the couch as if she was sleeping there.

“Are you unable to get up the steps?” Govek asked, voice still tight.

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