Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

MIRANDA

M iranda was a complete jealous idiot.

She fixated on every soft gaze Govek shot Viravia’s way. The way his eyes lingered on her as she walked. The kind gestures, even turning her mug so she could pick it up easily. That random, unprompted compliment...

Damn it all, he wasn’t flirting. He was just being nice. She was his sister -in-law.

“We did not have the time to grow familial bonds.”

God, why did that get under her skin so bad?

“Um...” Miranda mumbled, and Govek snapped his gaze away from Viravia. There was an awkward pause. “I’m really sorry the pregnancy has been so hard.”

“I-It’s all right,” Viravia said, skittering her gaze from Govek to her. “I signed up for it, after all. And I would go through anything for this little one to be healthy and whole.”

Miranda sagged, forcing tension out. “Have you picked a name yet?”

“Not yet,” Viravia said, before rolling her eyes. “Maythra has been very pushy about her favorites, though. She hasn’t been bothering you too badly, has she? I’ve tried to get her to stop but...”

Miranda snorted. “Girl, that’s nice of you, but you’ve got enough going on, and I can fight my own battles.”

Viravia relaxed slightly and sat back. “Maythra has been a part of this clan the longest of all the women. She feels a sense of entitlement and leadership and likes to wield it around. But there are a few of us who don’t bow to her bluster. Savili is one of them. You’ll like her very much, Miranda. She and my other friends will all give you a warm welcome when they return from the seasonal communion.”

Govek tensed beside her, and Miranda glanced to find his expression flat. His eyes lowered as if lost in thought.

“They’ll be here soon, actually. The seasonal communion is being cut short because of the warlord’s idiotic”—Viravia pressed fingers to her lips—“Sorry. I don’t mean to insult. It’s just... to merge Rove Wood Clan! He’s absolutely...”

Miranda leaned in, curiosity getting the better of her. “He’s what? You can be open.”

Viravia flashed a look at Govek. “I have no warmth toward my cousin at the moment. State your peace.”

“He’s an absolute ass,” Viravia unleashed, throwing her hands up. “To think that he would be stupid enough to even consider merging this clan with his forge. Which is in the center of the war, mind you. And he thinks the healing tinctures will be of better quality? Ha, perhaps the distribution will be easier, but there is no magic outside these woods. The Fades have truly abandoned this world. Every part but here .” She stroked her pregnant belly and looked out into the dark autumn.

“You talk like you know it really well,” Miranda said, heat from the mug stung her palms. “Out there, I mean.”

“Before I became a mate, I was a traveling trader. With my... father.” Viravia’s face grew haunted. What things lurked in this woman’s past? “The world outside Rove Wood is harsh and unyielding. This is the only truly safe place.”

“It’s... really that bad?” Miranda asked, glancing at Govek.

Viravia looked between them. “Are... Don’t tell me you are thinking of leaving ?”

“No,” Govek said quickly, before Miranda could even consider telling Viravia their plans.

“Good,” she said, slumping in her seat. “Govek, I know that many here think you would not be suited as our chief, but I?—”

“I wish not to speak on this tonight, Viravia.”

Viravia pursed her lips as if she were about to argue.

“Actually,” Miranda cut in. “About you being a trader...” Her gut pitched as she considered her words. Her mind quailed thinking about not being the one to go and find her babies. And yet... she glanced out the window into the woods, gut twisting, thoughts blanking, warmth flooding her veins.

Govek was right. She didn’t want to leave these woods either, and she had no wilderness skills. There was no harm in asking. “Viravia, do you know someone who could help me... find my family.”

Viravia straightened, blinking. “Your family?”

Miranda’s throat closed. Frick, it was hard to get this out. “Yes, we were uh... separated. I have no idea where they could be. I was going to talk to the seer and see if he could tell me where they were. But then, once I finally know where they are, there’s the trouble of actually getting to them.”

Viravia’s eyes were alight with curiosity.

“I was hoping you might know someone who could help be a guide. Someone from your trading days,” Miranda finished.

“I see.” Viravia tapped her slender fingers against her mug, thinking, and then cast her eyes on Govek. “You know, if you took the role of chief, you would technically be a higher rank than the warriors. You could order warrior orcs to find them for her. You could even send messages to all the clans for aid.”

Was that true? Miranda’s gut twisted, and she shot her eyes toward Govek. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t meet her gaze.

And she knew exactly why. She’d seen how he was treated. Knew how he felt about this clan. Asking him to take up the mantle of chief just so she could order orcs to find her babies was... it was too much to ask. She couldn’t put this on him, no matter how desperate she was.

“That might work, but for now, things between Govek and Karthoc are a little tense. Do you know of anyone else who could help?”

She felt Govek’s warm hand brush her leg, and she glanced up at his face to find his eyes soft with gratitude. Her heart picked up the pace, and she gave him a light smile, wishing she could kiss him instead.

Viravia was awash with disappointment, but she tried to hide it by straightening her back. “I... may know a few who could help. But contacting them would be a difficult task. Unless I can convince Chief Ergoth to let me use an enchanted bird... let me think on it.”

Miranda sagged with relief. “Thank you, Viravia. So much. Really .”

“Of course.” Viravia’s eyes were still alight with curiosity, but she was kind enough not to press. It made Miranda want to open up about everything . Her babies, Earth, the war...

But no... putting all her horrors on Viravia would be incredibly cruel. Especially after the woman was being so kind and helpful.

So, she simply moved into the next important topic. “Viravia, we were also hoping to know how Oakwall feels about Govek.”

Viravia blinked, perking up again. “Oh? Did they contact you, Govek?”

“No.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I see. Chief Ergoth hasn’t wanted to tell them much, especially about the merger, but he has been telling everyone in the clan that he fully intends to keep control over the trade relations and peace with Oakwall. I have no idea what Kar—the warlord is going to say when he finds out. He wants you to be the full chief, Govek. He doesn’t want Ergoth to have any power here anymore.”

“Do you think Oakwall would be open to Govek being in charge of the trade?” Miranda broached.

“Well, yes, of course,” Viravia said without the slightest hesitation. She glanced at Govek. “You... don’t agree, Govek? This isn’t about Yerina, is it?”

“My father has made it clear that Oakwall would not be comfortable with my presence.”

“Your father is looking out for the good of the clan, but he rarely looks out for your good,” Viravia said, and a smile quirked Miranda’s lips. “I’ll be blunt. There are a good number of Oakwall residents, as well as orcs here, that like to speak ill of you, but most know that Yerina is full of boar shit. Her story changes every blasted trade. Only the imbeciles who thrive on drama truly listen to her tales now.”

Miranda’s smile widened. Seeing someone finally go to bat for Govek was so refreshing. She shot Govek a triumphant look that softened when she found him looking relieved.

“You might get a few odd looks, but I doubt anyone would be brave enough to be openly hostile, especially knowing you are going to be the next chief of Rove Wood Clan.”

Govek’s expression darkened, and Viravia saw it just as well as Miranda.

Viravia was about to ask, so Miranda cut in. “The trade is day after tomorrow, right? Will you be going too?”

“I... yes, I will,” Viravia said, reluctantly allowing the shift. “I have some things that I need to pick up from some artisans of Oakwall. For the baby.”

“Oh yeah?” Genuine interest flooded Miranda. “What kind of things?”

“Things for feeding him, mostly,” Viravia said, stroking her belly again. “Women in my family have always struggled with feeding at the breast. Sorry. I’m sure you don’t want to listen to me blather on about that.”

“Oh, I don’t mind. I used to work with young kids before I... came here.”

“You did?” Viravia asked. “As an instructor?”

“Uh, well, kinda? More like I would watch them when their parents were busy. Some of them were still being bottle fed, so I have experience with it.”

Viravia’s eyes brightened. “Interesting. You fed babies milk? Without being a wet nurse?”

“Oh yeah. All the time.”

“In that case”—Viravia got up and hurried to her cabinet, pulling out a basket—“could you give an opinion on these? I had the glassmaker at Oakwall construct them and then another artisan made the tops from leather and tree gum.”

She set them down in front of Miranda and excitement danced in her. “Nipples for bottles?”

“Yes. I’d seen them used at one of the larger villages only once in my childhood. Replicating what I saw has been quite a challenge.”

“You got the shape right,” Miranda said, fitting the top onto the glass jar. It was nice and snug. “But the hole is too big for a newborn.”

“Hold on.” Viravia went to fetch a parchment and quill. “Do you mind if I take notes?”

“Of course not,” Miranda said with a smile.

And take notes she did. Viravia wrote down almost every word Miranda said. It felt odd to be treated like such an authority on the matter. Odd, but good.

Halfway through, Miranda glanced at Govek, wondering if he was getting bored and found him brooding, lost in thought. His eyes slid from Viravia’s rounded stomach and back to his massive hands.

Was he thinking about holding her baby? Miranda’s mind tipped toward the idea of Govek cradling a newborn and her heart thundered.

How would he be with her babies once she’d saved them? Gruff and overprotective and kind. Her chest warmed at the thought.

How... might he be with their children? If they decided to have them.

Her heart fluttered and she shook her head, concentrating on Viravia. “Your baby is lucky to have you.”

Viravia’s cheeks colored even as she smiled. “I certainly hope so. I was never around any babies growing up. My father was a traveling merchant, so we moved around a lot. You must have learned so much from your village. There must have been many babies to care for there.”

“Oh yeah, uh, it was... huge.” Her throat closed. Dang it, the woman had asked a simple question, and she couldn’t even bring herself to answer.

Warmth covered her fingers, and she found that Govek had engulfed her hand with his own and gave a comforting squeeze. Miranda relaxed, soaking up his strength and letting him soothe her like he always did.

Then Viravia cast her an easy smile. “I’m sorry, Miranda. I didn’t mean to pry. We all harbor things in our pasts. I’m certain that we will get to know each other well in time.” She rose from her seat. “Could you favor me by calling a messenger to take this to Gladen at Oakwall, Govek? If I send it tonight, he might have time to adjust the bottles before the trade.”

Call a messenger?

Viravia went to her window and opened it just as Govek whistled low.

A little robin flew in a moment later, glided across the room, and landed on Govek’s outstretched finger.

“Oh my gosh!” Miranda gushed, heart hammering. The bird was so tiny and cute sitting on Govek’s hand. “That’s so cool! You can call birds? You’re like Snow White.”

“What is a Snow White?” Viravia asked, coming over with a string and a much smaller note she’d made.

“She’s a princess,” Miranda said with a smirk. Did they have princesses here?

Apparently, they did, because Govek’s face darkened into a scowl and Viravia burst into laughter.

Govek snapped his gaze to Viravia’s face. Watching her close.

Viravia patted Govek’s hand affectionately. “Well, you do look as pretty as a princess.”

Miranda’s stomach churned again.

She was being stupid . They weren’t flirting. Govek wasn’t dumb enough to do something so horrible, and Viravia was nice . Really nice. Miranda liked her.

Which made watching the two of them smile at each other even more difficult.

He was finally making friends. Miranda felt like a complete ass for putting a downer on that. What was wrong with her?

“Are you well?”

Govek asked, and her guilt mounted that he’d noticed. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” Goddamn, she couldn’t even make herself sound fine.

This was so stupid. She was so stupid.

“You two seem quite close with your teasing,” Viravia said, pointedly, making Miranda’s cheeks heat. “Tavggol was wonderful too. He really helped me feel comfortable here. I could never imagine a better partner.”

Miranda sagged. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Viravia.”

Viravia’s eyes fell, and she stroked her stomach. “It is hard. But I have many fond memories. And some not so fond. Does Govek slam doors and stomp his feet as loudly as his kin?”

“Maybe?” Miranda wasn’t sure where this was going.

“Well, I have advice on how to fix that.” Viravia grinned. “I make these perfumes, you see. Very fragrant. Very effective as discipline.”

Miranda half gasped. “No. You didn’t.”

Viravia shrugged, her smile widening. “They have these nice little dispersers on the tops so you can spray them. Hiding behind the door was usually a good location. That way you can spritz the moment they err.”

Miranda burst into laughter. “Oh my god. That’s genius.”

“Miranda,” Govek said warningly. She shot him a grin.

“And if they don’t learn the first few times, you can aim for the eyes.”

Miranda laughed even more, tears flooding her own eyes in her mirth. “So, you have some, right? I’m sure I can find a way to repay you.”

“Miranda,” Govek repeated, but Miranda only shot him a sly grin.

And then a hard knock sounded at the door.