Page 85 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“I know it’s a lot,” Savili said. “Feel free to ask all our names again whenever you need to.”

“Oh, I’ll need to,” Miranda confirmed, blinking the unshed tears away before glancing to the woman holding her twins. “You were... Avery, right?”

“Aralie,” she said quietly. “And this is Tovis and Rynen.”

“Tovis and Rynen,” Miranda said, smiling eagerly at the little ones. Tovis nodded his head, taking a bite far too big for his mouth, and Rynen hid his face in his mother’s arm. “They’re adorable.”

Aralie smiled so sweetly it made Miranda grin. Jehvlek reached over to rustle both his sons’ hair before going back to the male conversation. Miranda noted that Aralie looked to Jehvlek often, leaning into him a little for support.

Roenia and Savili, however, barely looked at their males and had chosen to sit next to her and Aralie instead of with their mates on the far opposite end.

Miranda wondered how long each of them had been a part of this clan. Judging by twelve-year-old Vaiteg, she suspected Roenia was very comfortable here.

“All your children are adorable.” Miranda looked around at the bustling room. The energy of the hall was completely different now that the children had returned, and Miranda basked in it like a cat in a sun-drenched window, even if it made her sad.

There were probably twenty or more kids under the age of fourteen, all boys, all orc, all incredibly rowdy as they ran around. Some clung to their mothers, others jabbered at friends who were eager to hear their tales, but all ran up and down between the tables. Some were even jumping off Ergoth’s platform, though it did earn them a scolding once they were caught.

Miranda clutched Govek’s hand and wished she could ask about their ages, and family lives, and routines, and it was stupid because they didn’t need childcare here. It was obvious the clan took care of them as a community. Raised them as a unit. Cherished them.

Dang it, she wanted to cherish them too.

Her chest tightened, and uncertainty warred in her gut. She glanced at Govek, squeezed his hand, and he met her eyes for a moment. That one look told her everything.

He was as uncertain as she was.

They’d need to talk this over. She didn’t want him forced into the chief position out of guilt over what might happen to the children. That wasn’t fair to him.

But she didn’t want the children to suffer either.

“Where’s Viravia?” Savili asked, drawing Miranda’s attention. “I thought she would come with you.”

“She said she forgot something at her home,” Miranda said.

“Should one of us go check on her?” Aralie asked softly. “I know she’s been struggling to get around with the babe so big, and I heard there’s a blighted boar stalking the west.”

“A boar? I was told it was a wildcat,” Savili said.

“It’s unlikely to get into the clan, but I will go check if she doesn’t show up soon,” Roenia said, looking mildly concerned. “Perhaps we should all go. Leave the mates to discuss their fishing.”

“We should get together tomorrow morning too, while they’re gone,” Savili insisted.

Govek’s hand clenched in hers and his eyes slid to her gaze. She patted to reassure him, secretly loving his clinging. “I’ll probably go with them.”

“You’ll go... fishing? Do you fish?” Aralie’s brow furrowed. Then the boys slid off her lap and ran off toward another young orc. “Don’t get into trouble!” It seemed like a fruitless command to Miranda.

“No, but I like to watch. Govek’s so fast I swear it’s unreal.”

“Well, my skills have gotten better,” Iytier said with a confident nod. “I guarantee a good show.”

“You want to impress my mate?” Govek went tense against Miranda.

But Iytier wasn’t the least bit put off and Miranda couldn’t help but smile. “Of course not. I want to impress Savili.”

“I’ll be impressed if you don’t drown, Iytier.”

“You wound me, woman!”

Aralie cut in. “Perhaps we could all go?” She looked at Jehvlek.

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