Page 28 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Miranda was still pondering the oddity of having to rake leaves inside your house when a throat cleared, and her attention was drawn back to the four women.

Viravia regarded her with a stunning smile that drew Miranda in despite her reservations.

“What is your name?” Viravia asked, gesturing toward the table again. The base of the table was attached the floor—or rather the tree—with six chairs around it.

“Her name is Miranda,” Maythra answered curtly, not even bothering to glance Miranda’s way before sitting down at the table.

“I think she can answer for herself, Maythra,” Viravia said, but the older woman ignored her.

“It is Miranda. It’s good to meet you.” Miranda tried to force a smile. “I was told you had clothing I could borrow?”

“Oh, of co—” Viravia’s eyes went wide as she glanced down Miranda’s body. “What— uh... where are your...?”

“Govek—”

“It’s just been a crazy couple of days. Luckily, Govek was kind enough to loan me what he had.”

“Where did he find you?” The blonde woman, Beleda, asked, eyes fixed to Miranda’s body.

“I was lost in the woods.”

“How did you?—”

“Why don’t we let her settle in first, Beleda? Come sit here, Miranda, and I’ll get you some of my pre-baby clothing.”

Miranda couldn’t help herself as she followed Viravia toward one of the chairs at the kitchen table. “How far along are you?” The final two women followed suit.

“Only one more moon now,” the woman said, rubbing her belly tenderly. The gentle expression on Viravia’s face had Miranda’s tension softening.

One moon. From what Govek had told her, that meant Viravia only had thirty more days or so. Miranda wondered how long orc gestation was. If the pregnancies had the same side effects as a human one.

What did a tiny orc baby look like? Green with little black tipped nails and pointed ears?

Adorable.

Viravia broke Miranda’s musing, “Wait here, and I’ll fetch the clothes from my room. Beleda, could you make more tea?”

“O-Of course,” the blonde said before rushing into the tiny kitchen.

“I’ll go get them, Viravia. You should be taking precautions with Tavggol’s son,” Maythra said, moving to intercept Viravia’s ascent up the steps.

Viravia’s expression flattened. “I can handle my own staircase, Maythra.”

“It is the heir to the clan you carry,” Maythra said, looking pointedly at Miranda. Miranda tensed. “His protection and wellbeing are the concern of all in this clan.”

Viravia shot her a glare and pointedly went to the stairs, going up with a slight waddle and no further issue. She disappeared into the upper floor.

“That woman,” Maythra muttered darkly, returning to her seat.

Heir to the clan, huh? Miranda wondered who the father was. If the orc was going to show up here soon.

“Do you like sage, Miranda?” Savrah asked, a slight warble to her voice. “Viravia has wonderful sage tea.”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.” Sage tea?

“She also makes wonderful soaps too,” Savrah said.

Oh wow. That didn’t make the tea sound better.

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