Page 145 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Watching Govek care for and cherish their new sons only made her adore him more. Her chest warmed and her panic ebbed. “I love you.”

His face softened, and he pulled her down for a deep kiss, one that turned far too passionate, far too quickly, and left her squirmy and raw.

She pulled back slightly. “We’ve got the house all to ourselves, don’t we?”

He nodded.

She laughed. “That was your plan, wasn’t it?”

“Maybe. But you slept late. We don’t have time.”

She trailed her hand down his firm chest and his breath halted, eyes falling to half-mast. “Are you sure?”

He hummed as if considering.

And then her stomach grumbled, and the decision was made without her consent.

She yipped with laughter as he hauled her to her feet, carrying her toward the kitchen with a beaming smile and a loud proclamation. “My mate must be starving to death to have her stomach growling so loud.”

He plunked her down at the new table he’d made. Their new house had been a nightmare when they’d first moved in with the boys, but was now much better after their many months of combined work. They now had a couch that was big enough to fit all five of them at once. A kitchen arranged so she could cook with ease and countertops at the right height for Govek. Bigger windows that displayed the gorgeous white woods surrounding them.

And curtains for privacy since they were much closer to the clan now and visitors were far more frequent. Roenia’s and Aralie’s boys were always dropping by to play, to say nothing of their parents. She half expected Iytier and Savili to come up the path for a visit right now.

“Your stomach is so desperate I bet it would accept the bread I made.”

“Not on your life,” she said as he went to get her something to eat. “But don’t you dare throw it out. I’m taking it to Trinia later so we can laugh at it. Maybe we’ll try to trick Brovdir into eating it again.”

“Vicious woman.” He scooped scrambled eggs out of the pan on the stove and onto a plate. He’d clearly cooked for the boys already. “You’ll be making that slight up to me later.”

“Mm.” She squirmed, making him cast her a heated look. “I can’t wait. You sure not now?”

“Damn, woman,” he cursed, making her smile. He’d taken to using some of her Earth words lately, and she adored it. “You’re going to ruin me.”

“I’ve already spoiled you,” she said as he brought over the food. She ate without complaint. “Might as well go all the way.”

“I can think of no better way to die,” he said as she quickly finished. He fetched her cloak. “We need to go. Otherwise, they’ll all show up and move into the wrong houses.”

“I’m sure Sythcol would straighten them out if they tried.” But she got up and let him pull the cloak over her. The same one he’d put over her shoulders so many times before. The same one he’d given her when she’d first arrived in Faeda.

Then he took her hand and guided her out the door, into the bright daylight. It was a lot later than she had thought. Probably close to noon.

The pathway was littered with the tiny footprints of their sons. They’d clearly been out playing in the snow for a while. Probably with Estoc’s kids, judging by the number and size of the prints. Their friendships had blossomed greatly in the season since all the upheaval.

And she was happy to know no one in her little family had suffered a near death experience since. Not even once.

Though that didn’t mean there hadn’t been a fair amount of drama. Especially where their new chiefs were concerned.

Once they’d made it to the main road, she could see just how frantic and bustling everyone was. They all rushed around, yelling and getting ready.

It had been like this for half a moon now, and she couldn’t help but find it a little funny. To think that the Rove Wood orcs, who had been so standoffish and judgmental of their warrior counterparts, would now be doing everything in their power to ensure their welcome was warm and the new homes were ready.

As they walked, she gripped Govek’s arm, growing a little anxious from the excitement around them. “What do you think it will be like with so many new faces?”

“I suppose you’d have a better answer to that than I.” He patted her hand. “Since you had to learn everyone’s faces just last season.”

“Yeah,” she griped quietly. “I still don’t know everyone’s names. I really am going to start calling them dear.”

“Don’t you dare,” he growled low into her ear making her shiver. “I’m the only dear you get to have.”

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