Page 77 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“Yes, Govek. Hello. Could I come in?” Viravia leaned slightly so she could look past him into the kitchen.

His response was to step aside to make room for her.

“Hello,” Viravia said to Miranda as she entered the room. She pulled down her cloak and tugged the scarf away from her face after he had shut the door tight. “How are you doing?”

“Oof. Tough question.” Miranda lifted the mug of tea to her lips.

Viravia blinked rapidly. “I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”

“No, no, sit down. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. It’s just been... well...” Miranda glanced at Govek, but he couldn’t offer her anything other than support. It was her story to tell.

“Could I make you some tea?” Miranda shot the woman a reassuring smile. “I don’t have sage but Govek picked some mint.”

“Safirl,” he corrected.

“Oh, that’s very kind but I’m actually here to... well, you got my note, right? It would mean so much if you both would come join us at the hall.”

Miranda froze in place where she was mixing up the cup and Govek felt similarly stunned.

“Both of us? I thought your note just said me?” Miranda asked, clearly excited by this prospect even as he had no idea how to feel.

How long had it been since he was invited to the hall?

Had he ever been invited?

“Yes, both of you,” Viravia said with a quick nod. “We’re holding the return celebration.”

A celebration. He was being invited to one of Rove Wood Clan’s celebrations?

“What’s that?” Miranda came to stand next to him.

“It’s a revelry held once everyone from the communion party has returned. The last few arrived this morning,” Viravia explained. “Lots of food, drink, and visiting.”

“Children,” he said, wanting to be transparent. After her breakdown, he could not be sure if Miranda would want to be around them now. “There will be many children.”

Many many. Basically, all of them. His gut twisted. “Are you certain they want me to be there?” He had never been welcomed around the orc sons before.

But Viravia’s smile turned soft. “Yes, Govek. They do. I won’t lie and say that there aren’t a handful who didn’t agree with the decision, but Iytier and I have told everyone about the outcome of the judgment. And about the misunderstandings that have taken place in the past. And well... everything.”

He felt flush. What did this mean? How should he even act with them? He’d always simply walked away, and no one had ever questioned that.

“And... you are going to become our chief?”

His gut twisted and Miranda tightened her grip on his arm. She looked up at him, brows raised.

Fuck, should he tell Viravia he refused to become chief now?

Would he still be invited to the hall if he did?

“Govek?” Viravia’s tone indicated she was put off by their odd, tense reaction to her simple statement and blessedly, Miranda was able to shrug it off first.

“I’m totally up for celebrating in the hall and meeting a whole bunch of orc kids,” Miranda said, catching Govek’s gaze. “If you are.”

“Oh, please, do come.” Viravia stepped forward. “Iytier and Savili will be there, as well as Estoc and his mate and children. And many others who all want to visit with you.”

Many others who wanted him there?

He didn’t believe it.

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