Page 109 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Miranda sagged, forcing tension out. “Have you picked a name yet?”

“Not yet,” Viravia said, before rolling her eyes. “Maythra has been very pushy about her favorites, though. She hasn’t been bothering you too badly, has she? I’ve tried to get her to stop but...”

Miranda snorted. “Girl, that’s nice of you, but you’ve got enough going on, and I can fight my own battles.”

Viravia relaxed slightly and sat back. “Maythra has been a part of this clan the longest of all the women. She feels a sense of entitlement and leadership and likes to wield it around. But there are a few of us who don’t bow to her bluster. Savili is one of them. You’ll like her very much, Miranda. She and my other friends will all give you a warm welcome when they return from the seasonal communion.”

Govek tensed beside her, and Miranda glanced to find his expression flat. His eyes lowered as if lost in thought.

“They’ll be here soon, actually. The seasonal communion is being cut short because of the warlord’s idiotic”—Viravia pressed fingers to her lips—“Sorry. I don’t mean to insult. It’s just... to merge Rove Wood Clan! He’s absolutely...”

Miranda leaned in, curiosity getting the better of her. “He’s what? You can be open.”

Viravia flashed a look at Govek. “I have no warmth toward my cousin at the moment. State your peace.”

“He’s an absolute ass,” Viravia unleashed, throwing her hands up. “To think that he would be stupid enough to even consider merging this clan with his forge. Which is in the center of the war, mind you. And he thinks the healing tinctures will be of better quality? Ha, perhaps the distribution will be easier, but there is no magic outside these woods. The Fades have truly abandoned this world. Every part but here.” She stroked her pregnant belly and looked out into the dark autumn.

“You talk like you know it really well,” Miranda said, heat from the mug stung her palms. “Out there, I mean.”

“Before I became a mate, I was a traveling trader. With my... father.” Viravia’s face grew haunted. What things lurked in this woman’s past? “The world outside Rove Wood is harsh and unyielding. This is the only truly safe place.”

“It’s... really that bad?” Miranda asked, glancing at Govek.

Viravia looked between them. “Are... Don’t tell me you are thinking of leaving?”

“No,” Govek said quickly, before Miranda could even consider telling Viravia their plans.

“Good,” she said, slumping in her seat. “Govek, I know that many here think you would not be suited as our chief, but I?—”

“I wish not to speak on this tonight, Viravia.”

Viravia pursed her lips as if she were about to argue.

“Actually,” Miranda cut in. “About you being a trader...” Her gut pitched as she considered her words. Her mind quailed thinking about not being the one to go and find her babies. And yet... she glanced out the window into the woods, gut twisting, thoughts blanking, warmth flooding her veins.

Govek was right. She didn’t want to leave these woods either, and she had no wilderness skills. There was no harm in asking. “Viravia, do you know someone who could help me... find my family.”

Viravia straightened, blinking. “Your family?”

Miranda’s throat closed. Frick, it was hard to get this out. “Yes, we were uh... separated. I have no idea where they could be. I was going to talk to the seer and see if he could tell me where they were. But then, once I finally know where they are, there’s the trouble of actually getting to them.”

Viravia’s eyes were alight with curiosity.

“I was hoping you might know someone who could help be a guide. Someone from your trading days,” Miranda finished.

“I see.” Viravia tapped her slender fingers against her mug, thinking, and then cast her eyes on Govek. “You know, if you took the role of chief, you would technically be a higher rank than the warriors. You could order warrior orcs to find them for her. You could even send messages to all the clans for aid.”

Was that true? Miranda’s gut twisted, and she shot her eyes toward Govek. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t meet her gaze.

And she knew exactly why. She’d seen how he was treated. Knew how he felt about this clan. Asking him to take up the mantle of chief just so she could order orcs to find her babies was... it was too much to ask. She couldn’t put this on him, no matter how desperate she was.

“That might work, but for now, things between Govek and Karthoc are a little tense. Do you know of anyone else who could help?”

She felt Govek’s warm hand brush her leg, and she glanced up at his face to find his eyes soft with gratitude. Her heart picked up the pace, and she gave him a light smile, wishing she could kiss him instead.

Viravia was awash with disappointment, but she tried to hide it by straightening her back. “I... may know a few who could help. But contacting them would be a difficult task. Unless I can convince Chief Ergoth to let me use an enchanted bird... let me think on it.”

Miranda sagged with relief. “Thank you, Viravia. So much. Really.”

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