Page 56 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“I damaged you. Get her aid, Viravia.”

“I’m not going anywhere without you,” Miranda snapped, forcing the woman’s hands off her shoulders. “And you didn’t hurt me. I told you. I’m on my period.”

“Period?” Viravia asked cautiously.

“Menstrual cycle. Monthly bleeding? Aunt Flow? Crimson tide? Govek didn’t knock me up, so now my body is furious and intends to torture me for the next four or five days.”

“Ah, yes, I understand,” Viravia said quickly. “So, you don’t need a healer.”

“Not unless you’ve got pain killers or something cause the cramps are worse than a sledgehammer to the gut, but?—”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Govek demanded, looking between them. “You’re bleeding, Miranda.”

“For crying out loud”—Miranda pinched her nose—“it’s too bloody early for a sex ed talk.” She snorted, shaking her head. “Though I guess not too early to get all bloody.”

No one laughed.

Viravia was pale, eyes averted, and Govek had his fists balled hard enough he was probably cutting himself again and Miranda groaned. “Oh my god. I’m not hurt, Govek. This is going to happen every month. I could get super detailed and complicated but I’mma save that for after I’ve had whatever equivalent of coffee you’ve got.”

“Every month?” Govek asked carefully.

“Yes. For most women, it’s a regular occurrence, and it’s completely natural and I do not need help and you did not do anything to cause it. Other than, as I said, not get me pregnant. But that’s a good thing where we’re concerned.”

He remained silent.

“Govek, if you had hurt me bad enough to make me bleed you would have noticed while we were cleaning up last night.”

Realization flashed in his eyes, but he still shook his head and stammered. “But Yerina said that—” He looked away, wrenched his hand through his hair, but wouldn’t meet her eyes.

What did his ex have to do with any of this?

Viravia, bless her, quickly changed the subject. “I brought you clothing, Miranda. And if Govek has fresh linen, I can show you how to fashion something to keep yourself clean.”

“I’m assuming I just bundle up that linen and put it in my underwear?”

Viravia nodded.

“Then I’ll be fine on my own.” She sighed heavily. She’d never looked forward to her period before, but now she was really not looking forward to it.

“All right.”

Then the woman just stood there.

“What else, Viravia?” Govek grated.

“Well, I... I heard about the announcement today,” Viravia ventured, “Kar-er... the warlord’s announcement. I just wanted to know if you knew what it was about.”

Govek’s eyes flashed nervously to Miranda. “I do not.”

“Didn’t you talk to him last night?”

“Yes, but all he said was that I must be there, which means we need to make ready. Now.”

“Then, I’ll go. Miranda, feel free to visit anytime if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Miranda waited until the door closed behind the woman before turning to Govek. “So, what exactly did your ex-girlfriend tell you about periods?”

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