Page 30 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Her stomach flipped as he shot her a little smirk. His teeth were all tucked away, and his face was squat, and she leaned down to kiss his forehead even though it tipped her off balance. He tightened his grip so she wouldn’t fall.

She cupped his face. “My tough guy, carting me around like I really am a rucksack.” She leaned close to his ear. “Or should it be a ‘fuck sack’?”

Govek snorted and covered his face as his shoulders shook from silent laughter. She clung to his head to keep her balance even though his grip on her legs was more than enough.

“For Fades will, woman.” His grin was huge and his jaw was slightly lowered as his tension eased. “Just look at the view.”

She obeyed and lost her breath.

The branches of birch trees that lined the perimeter had been bent and formed into tables that spanned the outside. Humans, both male and female, were setting up goods to display. Everything from blankets, to trinkets, to wood carvings and massive shoes fit for orc feet.

The ground was packed with springy green moss, dotted with tiny purple flowers. At the center, where the opening let in light, there was a thick but short tree with golden yellow leaves and a white trunk dotted with carvings. Its roots spiraled through the moss like spiderwebs for twenty or more feet before disappearing beneath.

“Wow,” Miranda breathed. “This is incredible... what’s written on that tree?”

“The Honor Tree displays the original treaty that brought peace between Oakwall Village and Rove Wood Clan.”

“It’s amazing. Everything here is amazing.” She glanced behind her to find most of the orcs were unloading the crates and piling them up. “You guys don’t have tables?”

“No, we stand before the goods of the humans and indicate we have a trade to deal. If they are keen, they wave us forward to negotiate. Then we come back here to fetch our goods for them.”

“I see. Very organized.”

“Yes. It was created as such to prevent fear or distrust.”

Miranda hummed, watching as orcs approached humans with warm greetings and groups visited amicably. Fear and distrust didn’t seem to have much place now.

“What the . . .”

Miranda glanced down at Govek and followed his eyes across the mossy clearing. A massive orc warrior was walking up to a table packed high with bread and pastries.

Miranda looked between them. “What’s going on? Wait, isn’t that your cousin?”

“It is,” Govek said quietly, distracted as he watched. The woman behind the table, a short girl with a full frame and dark curls, straightened and waved him over. She greeted him with enough gusto that it was clear she knew him.

Govek snorted. “So that’s what Karthoc meant. How on Faeda did Brovdir come across Trinia?”

“Trinia?”

“Yerina’s younger sister.”

Oh frick.

“How the fuck did they even meet?” Govek asked as Trinia’s smile warmed at something Brovdir said. They were too far for Miranda to hear properly. The woman leaned over her table a bit when handing him a pastry, pushed her breasts up, and tipped her head so her neck was elongated.

“Govek. A word.” Karthoc drew their attention away as he stomped over. Govek lowered Miranda back to the ground. Ergoth was watching smugly, and the headman was nowhere to be seen.

The warlord’s face was a mask of contorted fury. Gosh, she’d forgotten how big Karthoc was, only slightly smaller than Govek.

Govek tucked her tightly into his side.

“Govek,” Karthoc’s deep rumbling voice lacked the pleasant qualities Govek’s voice had. “I need to speak to you. Privately. Now.”

She felt Govek tense, and she took a moment to look around. She found that Savili was chatting with Iytier as he unloaded produce from their cart.

“That’s fine. I’ll go ask Savili to walk around with me,” Miranda said. Govek was still tense so she patted his hand and teased. “I’ll go get some ‘oozing’ done.”

Govek made a shocked choking sound and she peeled herself away from his side. She flashed him a reassuring smile before she turned to join Savili.

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