Page 81 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Govek blinked and turned to find Iytier standing behind him with Savili and their baby. The male narrowed his eyes at Ergoth but said, “Have you come to eat in the hall, Govek?”

“Viravia invited us.” Govek tucked his jaw up. “She said we might be welcome.”

“You certainly are,” Iytier said, but his eyes never strayed from Ergoth’s face. “Estoc and Jehvlek are already within. I am confident they would like to speak with you. On friendly terms and nothing less.”

Ergoth spoke up. “While I agree that a few in the clan would be fine with Govek’s presence, there are many more who would be uncomfortable. Govek, I strongly urge you to return to your home for now. Give those who are grieving time to come to terms.”

“Those who are grieving traitors can do so in their own homes.”

It was Estoc. He had just exited the hall and walked over to their small group. Govek had been on the receiving end of the male’s ire more than once, but this time, his dark eyes were narrowed on the chief.

Govek had never seen anyone look at his father this way.

“Govek was found in favor. He should not be treated as if he were the one being punished.”

“I meant nothing of the sort,” Ergoth said, his voice flat and his eyes seething. “I think only of the sadness and suffering of my clan members.”

“You’ve turned a blind eye to your own son’s suffering enough times. I would think you could manage the act for Maythra’s supporters now,” Estoc snapped, flooding Govek with the oddest sensation—like he was growing tall, moving higher. He could look down upon his father and know that any rebuke Ergoth attempted could not reach him at this new distance. “Govek, come eat with me.”

Govek stood frozen as Estoc went back into the hall. The male was clearly angry, but not at him, right? Or was this meal about to turn into an interrogation? Govek had not been around these males enough to read what their intentions were. They were his brother’s friends. And yes, they’d gone fishing and hunting, and occasionally, they’d shared a meal together, but Govek had been an outsider in those gatherings. On the outskirts. Watching rather than participating.

And yet his chest lightened at the memory of Jehvlek offering him a place at the campfire. Of Iytier asking him for tips while hunting. Of being amused by one of Estoc’s tales.

Would they really have allowed Tavggol to invite him along if they hadn’t wanted his company?

“Come, Govek. Let us catch up on old times and enjoy each other as we once did.” Iytier held open the door for him, even Savili seemed pleased. She grinned at him and Miranda triumphantly.

Miranda placed a hand on Govek’s arm, looked up at him with questioning eyes and a light smile. He soaked up her confidence and nodded.

He took a deep breath and entered the Hall.

The world inside was much different from anything he’d experienced in the past.

Govek had never been allowed to participate in the revelry after the families came back from the seasonal communion. He was told he couldn’t be trusted around the children.

But not one of the children even noticed he was there as they rushed around, yelling and laughing. Celebrating. Their schooling would take a break now and the energy was high.

“Govek,” Iytier said, gesturing for him to follow. “This way.” He pointed to one of the tables dead center in the hall, and Govek tensed as the eyes of orcs and women landed on him.

He’d always kept to the outskirts, always lurked along the wall. He’d stayed out of sight as much as possible. He could not recall ever walking toward the center of the Great Rove Tree, head high, eyes scanning rather than averted.

And when he did look... Blast. The angry, worried faces he’d endured were gone. Confusion lay in their wake. Uncertainty. There were whispers, but the clipped unhappy tones were absent. The hush wasn’t allowed to permeate with so many happy children playing around them.

So many children. Govek had never realized how many there were. Probably close to fifty. One-sixth of the clan.

“Govek... if they merge, what will the kids’ lives be like?”

Fuck.

“Sit here, Govek, Miranda.” Savili gestured to the bench right across from Estoc and his mate, Roenia. Roenia was nursing their babe, and Govek’s mind shifted to a mental image of Miranda cradling one of their own.

He glanced at Miranda and found her features soft and her mouth quirked into a grin. But her attention was on a group of children playing on Ergoth’s platform. Two much younger were whooping with delight as they leaped into an older boy’s arms.

Miranda was so Fades-wretched beautiful in this moment of happiness Govek felt his entire being soften at it. She had spoken of cameras, magic that could capture a still image. He had to admit that he longed for this to be made real on Faeda. He couldn’t count the sights of her he wished to preserve.

A throat cleared and Govek jolted, brought back out of his musings to find both orcs watching him with wide eyes and their women... well their women were hard to read, but their smiles made his gut pitch.

He helped Miranda onto her bench seat and Roenia leaned as far toward Miranda as the suckling babe would allow. She held up her hand to her mouth as if that would somehow prevent Govek from hearing. “You two seem to be getting along. Are you playing conquest? Or are the two of you thinking of being mated? Do you plan to stay here in Rove Wood Clan for the pregnancy?”

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