Chapter 18

Chapter

Eighteen

GOVEK

“ Y ou’re seriously not going in with me?”

Govek leaned against a tree part way into the woods where they could not be easily seen, arms crossed, eyes fixed to the dwelling before him. The ancient home that had always belonged to the heir of this clan. The massive, multi-level structure he’d last been in when Tavggol was still...

“No,” he said slowly. “I’m not going in.”

Tavggol was no longer within. He had no ties to this place now.

“Govek.” Miranda crossed her arms over her chest and leveled him with a hard look. It was too dark for her to see his scowl clearly, but she certainly could make out the glow of his eyes.

“Miranda, I was not invited.”

“What do you mean you weren’t invited?”

“The missive did not mention me in it.”

“Govek, we’re a couple, and she’s your sister-in-law.”

“I highly doubt she sees me as such,” Govek muttered, looking toward the darkened windows again. The scent of sage was overpowering so he could not scent Viravia within and her home appeared shuttered. He scrutinized the windows for movement, but saw nothing.

Was she even there? Why would she invite them and then leave?

“She doesn’t see you like a brother?” Miranda’s brow screwed up.

“No,” Govek said honestly, wondering why his mate was so unsettled by that fact. “Viravia was not from Oakwall originally, so we did not have the time to grow familial bonds.”

“Did... you grow any bonds? Like, just as family?” Miranda asked. “She defended you in front of Maythra.”

“Viravia has always been kind.” Too kind. She was his brother’s mate and yet she cast Govek constant smiles and tried to draw him into frivolous conversation.

Admittedly, Tavggol had never seemed affronted by her shows of affection. At the time, Govek thought nothing of it, but now that he had Miranda...

If Miranda had cast easy smiles at Tavggol, Govek knew he would likely be goaded into violence. Brother or no.

“What’s wrong? Out with it. Don’t be so quiet.”

“I’m always quiet.”

“You’re really not,” Miranda muttered, but softened the blow by taking his hand in both of hers. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Unwilling to admit imagined jealousy toward his own brother, he said, “The house is dark, and I have not seen movement.”

“Oh.” Miranda looked at the house again. “Do you think she’s not in there? Maybe she went to the hall?”

“I... don’t know. I can’t scent her past the sage.”

Miranda searched his face for a long moment.

“If you’re worried about her, then come on ,” Miranda tugged his hand, and he allowed her to lead him across the path and onto Viravia’s stoop. She knocked without preamble and Govek held his breath.

They heard a slight rustling within. The curtain next to the door moved slightly and an eye peeped through. That eye widened at the sight of them and disappeared back into the darkened home.

Then light flickered brighter, and the door sprang open.

“Well, good evening,” Viravia said quickly, glancing between the two of them. Her bright blue eyes flashed in the dim light, her dark hair glistened. “How are you two? Please come in.”

Govek hesitated, struck a little dumb by this oddly warm welcome. He only crossed the threshold when Miranda placed a hand at his back and gave a light shove.

The home was the same as he remembered, and Govek was struck in the gut by that. The furniture was in the same place. Tavggol’s favorite chair was nestled in the corner. The rugs and wall hangings hadn’t budged. Viravia had not even switched out the glassware for smaller, more manageable items.

It felt as if at any moment Tavggol would walk down those steps. His eyes would widen at Govek’s sudden appearance. He’d laugh and tease him about never wanting to visit in the clan and then force Govek to sit by his fire and talk until the sun brightened the windows.

“Are you all right, Govek?” Viravia asked, soft and pressing.

Govek swallowed hard, working to find words.

“Why don’t you let me make you some tea?” Miranda suggested softly. “Let him have a moment.”

“No,” Govek said swiftly, the familiar bubbling of anger rising in the back of his throat. “No. I don’t need a moment.”

They hadn’t come here for him. He was being a fool.

“Govek,” Viravia started, but he just shot her a hard look and she sucked in a breath. “Why don’t you both come sit down?”

“I was only here to bring Miranda. I do not want to intrude.”

“You could never be an intruder here,” Viravia said, rubbing her belly. His eyes fixed to the swell of it. The lump in his throat grew anew. “Here.” She pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. “Sit.”

He should have left, stormed out the door and gone back to his home on the outskirts. He should not be standing here pretending that everything was well and that his own lack of action hadn’t led to his brother’s demise.

“Govek.”

The call was strong. Firm. He looked into Viravia’s eyes and saw the strength that his brother must have fallen for.

“Set it aside,” Viravia demanded, and his gut pitched. “There has been more than enough guilt in the last season. It was not your fault.”

It was not his fault? She should be raging at him, casting him out, calling him vile.

He’d known that the trade deal with Clairton felt off, that there was something wrong , but he’d let the matter drop in the face of Tavggol’s determination. He’d been too distracted with Yerina’s endless demands and had let Tavggol leave.

And his brother had never come back.

“It’s not your fault,” Viravia said softly, and the words cracked at something in Govek’s chest. She turned away as if she hadn’t just shattered him with her forgiveness.

“I’ll make tea, Miranda. It’s no trouble,” Viravia said, waving Miranda into a chair. “How have you been? I hear things haven’t been exactly... easy in the clan.”

Miranda settled into the large wood chair. The back was too tall for her. “Yeah, we’ve been spending a lot of time in the woods. Basically, only going back to the house to sleep right now. Seems like everyone and their mother is trying to talk to Govek.”

“I’m sure,” Viravia said, trundling into the kitchen area. She seemed to get around easily enough, but there was bedding stacked on the end of the couch as if she was sleeping there.

“Are you unable to get up the steps?” Govek asked, voice still tight.

Viravia shot him a wide-eyed look before murmuring, “You’re as observant as Tavggol. Yes, it’s been a chore recently.”

“Oh gosh,” Miranda said. “I’m so sorry I didn’t notice. Do you need help? I’m happy to do any cleaning or cooking you have. Or we can move some of your stuff downstairs?”

“That’s so sweet, but the women have already got me covered. I almost always have someone here nagging me to keep off my feet. Especially now that I can’t make it to the hall for meals.” She shot Miranda a smile. “Nice to have a different kind of visit for a change.”

Miranda smiled back and Govek felt his tension ebb.

“Most of the clan is still buzzing about the announcement,” Viravia said, placing sage leaves in the kettle. “Have you spoken to the warlord since?”

“No,” Miranda said. “Only members of the clan come to bang on our door. As far as we know, anyway.”

Viravia nodded, looking pensively down at her herbs.

“Was there something you wanted to know about him?” Miranda asked, casting Govek a look that indicated she thought this might have been the reason Viravia had invited her over.

“Oh no. Just...” Tension rose in the woman’s back, but when she turned, she was forcing a smile. “No. You came here to visit. Let’s talk of more pleasant things.”

She was hoping for information about the merger, Govek was certain. About whether he was going to pick up his father’s mantle. The prospect of moving must have been daunting with the babe in her stomach so large.

Quite unbidden, Govek was struck by the flash of an entirely new image. A vision of Miranda with her own swollen stomach. Her ability to move stolen by the mass of an orc son growing and faced with the challenge of losing her home.

Conflicting emotions abraded against his raw senses, and he rose from his chair, moving to take the tray of cups and tea from Viravia.

Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, thank you , Govek.”

He nodded gruffly and went back to his place, setting the large cups down in front of the chairs.

Viravia walked over with no hesitation in her stride and sat, patting her stomach tenderly. Yet he knew she must feel some pain if she could not get up her steps. “You are a strong woman, Viravia.”

“O-oh.” Color came into the woman’s cheeks as her eyes darted away, and her lips quirked in a little smile. “That’s nice of you to say.”

Govek took a hard breath as he turned her mug, so the handle faced her. Viravia would be fine. They would let her ride in a cart. Hovget and Wellia would leave with them, with all their medical tinctures. Wellia had birthed many orc sons both here for the mates and for the conquests at Oakwall Village.

Miranda would have none of those luxuries. They would be here. Alone. With only the Oakwall midwife to attend her. A woman Govek had never even met properly.

He shook the disconcerting thought away, but it stuck in the back of his mind. Like an itch he couldn’t quite reach.

Was staying here alone truly the right way?