Page 25 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“Oh, of course, Govek will help you. I’m certainly not saying he shouldn’t,” the woman said quickly. “I just wanted to be on friendly terms. Viravia said you’ve had a rather rough start to things.”

That was certainly an understatement.

“I don’t want to muck around where I’m unwanted.” Savili bounced her bundle slightly. “I just wanted to welcome you to the clan, and let you know that not everyone is like Maythra.”

“Well, thank you.” Miranda wondered briefly if this new woman knew about everything that had happened the night before or if she only knew about the argument they’d had with Maythra outside Viravia’s house.

But suddenly that little bundle was cooing, and that was all Miranda could think about.

“Uh, sorry, is that your baby?” Miranda’s throat was tight.

Savili smiled. “Yes, this is Haysik.” She pulled her cloak back and Miranda’s heart skittered right on over itself.

The baby was likely the cutest thing Miranda had ever seen in her entire life. Chubby green cheeks, bright eyes, fuzzy dark hair, little pointed ears, and black nails.

A baby. An orc baby. Probably around ten months old, judging from what she could see. How long had it been since she’d held a baby? She’d mostly taken care of the toddler-aged kids but had covered the infant room enough times to be well practiced.

“Govek.” The clipped voice came from an approaching orc. He was slender and tall, though not quite as tall as Govek. His hair, bound to his head in a bun, was white, but he seemed to be around Govek’s age. His cold, light green eyes narrowed briefly on Govek before he looked to Savili. “Are you well, my mate?”

“I’m fine, Iytier,” Savili said dryly. “Play nice.”

The male huffed. Miranda glanced at Govek and found him looking pointedly away.

“Would you like to ride on our cart, Miranda?” Savili adjusted the baby in his sling. She tried to cover him back up, but he protested, getting squirmy. He clearly wanted to look around. “Govek, I thought you could help Iytier pull it today.”

“I don’t—” Iytier started, but Savili shot him a scathing look. “Yes, that’s fine,” he grumbled.

Apparently, the orcs pulled the carts and Govek just got himself volunteered. Miranda would have laughed had Govek not looked so stricken. “You okay? I’m fine with just walking with you if you’d rather do that.”

“No,” Govek said quickly. “You will ride. It’s too far for you.”

“We just hiked around for days on end through the woods. I think I can handle a few miles on a path.”

Savili tipped her head. “Miles?”

“She means leagues,” Govek said.

“Ah, I see,” Savili said, with a nod. “Viravia mentioned you were from a very large village over the mountains. What was it called?”

Oh god. How to answer that one?

Thankfully, Miranda was saved from a response by the baby starting to fuss.

“Haysik,” Savili said warningly. “You have to stay in my arms right now, sweetie.”

“Can I...?” Miranda cut off, unsure, but Savili cast her a smile that gave her courage. “Can I hold him?”

The woman blinked. “Oh, of course.” She untucked the babe from her cloak, but kept him nicely bundled in a wrap. He hesitated to be pried from his mother’s arms, but Miranda had more than enough experience with pass-offs.

“Hello, Haysik,” she said, bouncing and smiling at the little baby when he started to fuss. “Well, hello, how are you? You look so sweet. Oh here, what’s this?” She scooped up the tassel of her cloak and waved it in front of his eyes. “Ooh, how neat. Look at it wiggle.”

The baby stopped his fussing and grabbed hold of the tassel. He pulled on it with tiny green fists and started to babble.

“You really are good with children,” Savili said. “Viravia said you worked with them.”

“I did, and he’s precious,” Miranda gushed, adoring the weighty warmth of him, the clean, milky smell. She stroked his hair as he yanked up the other tassel.

An orc called out from the party. “Sounds like it’s time to load up. Come, Miranda. I’ll help you get settled.”

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