Page 36 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

There was a deadly silence. “All of them.”

Miranda was struck dumb by the sincerity of his tone as he led her up the steps and into the dark room. She could hear him walking around, a cabinet opened with a squeak and clattered shut.

“Viravia didn’t seem to think that badly of you.”

“She has only lived in these woods for three seasons.”

Light burst in the room and she blinked rapidly, willing her eyes to adjust. Torchlight from several lanterns had all lit at the same time.

She was in a kitchen. A much nicer one than Viravia’s. There was ample counter space, an actual sink near the window, and a massive wood stove filled the entire opposite end. There were cabinets and drawers, and cooking utensils hung from most of the available wall space.

“This is great,” Miranda said, fingering the intricate leaf and vine detailing carved into the cabinet doors. “Viravia’s house didn’t have anything like this.” When he didn’t respond, she pressed, “Do you like to cook?”

He was standing in a rounded entry. Behind him she could see flickering firelight illuminating a living room with a couch and two chairs.

“No.”

Her brow furrowed. “No?”

“No, I do not like to cook.”

Her lips pursed. “Then... why so much cooking stuff?”

He looked away, fists still bunched up at his sides. If he tightened up anymore he might cut himself with his claws.

“Govek, talk to me. Why do you have a full kitchen if you don’t like to cook?”

Had it been for his other woman? Yerina, right?

Her chest tightened and the excitement at seeing such a familiar space dimmed. Apparently, Govek wasn’t the only one with jealousy issues.

“I am not welcome in the hall.”

“What?” She blinked, but he still wasn’t meeting her eyes.

“The hall is where the clan has their meals. I am not welcome there.”

“Why?”

Ignoring her question, Govek turned on his heel and stormed into the living room. She scampered after him, watching as he methodically lit all the candles in the room using a short twig with a tiny flame at the end. It took a while, there were ten or more candles all over the space.

This living room was much smaller than Viravia’s but felt cozy. The gray cushions looked more worn but soft. The carpets were plain, dark brown, but lush. The rich brown wood walls were decorated with vine carvings and the shadows caused by the candlelight made their intricate detailing more pronounced.

It was truly beautiful.

But that beauty was dimmed by Govek’s continued silence.

“Come on, Govek,” Miranda pleaded, throwing her head back in frustration. He’d had that whole walk to calm down and it wasn’t enough? “Work with me here. Talk to me.”

“You should stay with the other women.” His voice was a low, deadly grumble that flooded Miranda with equal parts heat and worry.

“What? What do you mean?”

He stalked toward a tall door with a rounded top at the back of the house. It was at the center of the far wall of the living room. She could see the forest through the window next to it, deep and dark and swallowing up the light. He trembled on the precipice. As if he were about to bolt.

Terrified he might, Miranda stepped into the living room but stopped herself from grabbing him. “Don’t you dare leave right now, Govek.”

“It is not safe for you.”

---