Page 70 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Thank you.” Miranda managed, blinking. Dang, and she thought she could talk fast.

“I’m sure being surrounded by so many orc males feels a might daunting. Do not fear. I will make sure only a few come to make their acquaintance at a time. And if you see any males you would like to become friendly with, please let me know and I’ll ensure a meeting can take place.”

What was this—a meat market?

“I was told your clothing was taken from you.”

“That isn’t?—”

“Please be assured that we can get you anything you need. We don’t have much in the way of women’s clothes here, but our trade with Oakwall is only a few days hence. I’m certain you will find everything you need there.”

“Oh, yeah, going to the trade would be good.” Miranda glanced out over the crowd again. The faster she found the seer, the faster she could get down.

“Excellent. I will get Maythra to be your guide. As the oldest woman in our clan, she has much more experience and would be happy to impart it to you.”

Oh, heck no. “That’s nice, but I’m sure Govek can be my guide.”

The chief looked momentarily stricken. “Ah, that may be difficult. My son has not gone to the trade for many moons.”

“Oh?” Miranda asked, looking down at where Govek was. His hands were bunched, and his shoulders were slumped, and his dark eyes were brooding as they burned right through her. “Why is that?”

“There are... many reasons,” the chief said, gesturing for her to follow him over to his throne. “Why don’t you sit, Miranda? You’re most welcome to, and I’m sure you are tired from walking for so many days.”

“Oh, no. I’m good.” The only place to sit was the fricking throne.

But the position the chief had moved her into, right near the center at the front of the platform, was much better for searching. She began scanning again. Dang, this room was huge. And packed full. There was only one stretch of the furthest table near the far back that was empty. Probably because there was a massive branch right above the blotted out the light from the chandeliers.

“Of course. Whatever makes you most comfortable. Your comfort here is paramount to me. As is the comfort of all within my clan. It is my duty to protect everyone within the boundaries of the Rove Woods.”

“Thanks,” Miranda said quickly. Gosh, there were so many faces. All slender and dressed in loose cotton garb. She would have thought with the varying skin colors it would have been easy to find one that was white, but now she noted that there were plenty of very light-skinned orcs.

“I only want you to be happy with your new home, so please, I urge you to let me know if there is anything or anyone troubling you. Also, you can help yourself to anything you like from the storeroom. There are many empty homes for you to choose from, as well.”

“Thank you,” Miranda said, only half listening. She’d found a stretch of table where a group of women were seated with their orc mates. It was a wonder she could find them at all in the sea of huge green bodies.

There were close to ten women in total and they seemed to come from all kinds of nationalities. What was the human demographic like on Faeda? How big was Faeda? Was it all one continent or many? The map Govek had showed her only covered this corner of the world.

The chief lowered his voice. “And there are many in this clan who would also readily offer you protection. Agol, my lead guard, has a son, who is equally as mighty. I would be glad to assign him to you.”

“What? Oh, no. That’s not... no. No, thank you,” she said, noting now that there weren’t any kids. Where were all the children? Had they just not been invited to this announcement?

“I understand. After what you have gone through, I can imagine that the company of any orc would be off-putting.”

She really wanted to find the seer, but it didn’t look like he was here. Actually, Karthoc wasn’t here either and none of the burly warriors Govek had described. All the seated orcs were slender. The most muscular one was that Agol guy who’d fetched the doctor and even he only had a third the mass Govek boasted.

“But I must assure you that the other males of Rove Wood are not like my son.”

Ergoth’s words had her brows furrowing and her gaze turning to Govek. Poor thing looked so uncomfortable. Everyone’s eyes were on him. She should get down now.

“You need not stay with him out of fear, Miranda. I swear I will never allow him to take advantage of your vulnerability again.”

Miranda turned, all her attention suddenly on the chief. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t need to feel embarrassed. You were lost, hurt. It is shameful that my son would take advantage of that.”

Oh shit. “No, no. That’s not—no. Govek didn’t?—”

“You don’t need to defend him, my dear. I believe you. I know my son better than anyone.”

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