Page 86 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“Of course.” Jehvlek nodded. He was more reserved, but when he spoke it commanded Miranda’s full attention. His complexion was so light it reminded her of the seer.

She glanced around. The seer was here, wasn’t he? She couldn’t decide if she wanted to seek him out and ask for more advice, or slink back home with her tail between her legs. Her heart still ached knowing she would never find out what happened to her babies.

“I guess we’re going to have a full day of it then,” Roenia said, smiling at Miranda. “Viravia will be sad, but I don’t think she’ll be able to make the trek to the spring in her state.”

“We can bring her back a bunch of fish,” Savili said with a confident nod.

“Pretty sure she’s tired of fish,” Aralie said.

“Has she tried it fried?” Miranda asked, remembering how Govek’s mind was completely blown after she’d battered and fried the fish he’d caught them.

“Fried?” Roenia asked.

“It’s really good. I could make it for you.”

“Woman, be careful with your promises,” Govek grumbled, and for a moment, Miranda thought he was going to get jealous that she was offering to cook for other people. “You’ll never be rid of them after they’ve had your cooking.”

Miranda grinned. “I’ll just teach them to cook.”

“So, you’re a good cook then, Miranda?” Aralie asked.

“She’s incredible,” Govek boasted. The earnest tone made Miranda blush.

“I’m not that good.”

“I’m horrible at cooking,” Savili admitted. “My mother bakes pies for a living and I helped her since I could walk, but the skill just never stuck. One of the draws of joining this clan was that almost all meals are taken in the hall.”

“That and your love for me, yes?” Iytier said, narrowing his eyes.

“Eh,” Savili said with a shrug, forcing a round of chuckles from the table. Even Govek snorted.

Iytier growled slightly under his breath and Savili looked away, covering her mouth as she whispered into Miranda’s ear. “Ooh, I’m going to regret that tonight.”

“Or be glad for it,” Miranda said.

Savili leaned in as the males began talking among themselves again. The other women leaned in with her. “Glad and dissatisfied at the same time. Why did no one warn me that being intimate was so blooming difficult once you had a babe?”

“Yes,” Aralie said mournfully, glancing toward where her twins were playing. “It always seems the moment we’re certain we have a stretch alone they wake, or need something, or get into trouble...”

“Count yourself lucky that you’re at least out of the ‘must have milk every moment of the day’ stage,” Roenia said, switching her nursing babe to the opposite side. “It seems this little one will only cease when I’m a dried-up husk.”

Miranda pounced. “Oh my gosh. Please let me watch your babies.”

The women all blinked at her and Savili spoke first. “Oh Miranda, that’s a kind offer, but...”

She glanced at Aralie and the woman said, “We’ve done this in the past. Switched off watching for each other from time to time, but it doesn’t work very well.”

“Orc children are notoriously stubborn,” Roenia confirmed. “Aralie tried to watch Vaiteg for me when I was heavily pregnant, and it was a nightmare.”

“It was,” Aralie said with a shake of the head. “They just don’t like to listen to anyone but their parents.”

“I have plenty of experience with stubborn kids.” Miranda was unwilling to let this opportunity pass her up without at least getting a chance. “If you’re worried, you can let me host a ‘playdate’ and stick around until you’re comfortable.”

“You’re really that confident?” Aralie asked, quietly.

“You keep saying you have experience. Was it an orphanage you worked at?” Roenia asked.

“No, I...” Miranda cut off, unsure of how to explain this. Should she bring up Earth now? Could she manage it without crying? “Let’s just say many of the parents where I used to live were busy working and would ask me to watch their children for them while they were away.”

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