Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

MIRANDA

" S o, what do you think of the trade, Miranda?" Savili asked as her mate continued to unload boxes of perfectly ripe fruit. Her baby was happily cooing in the sling over her shoulder and the tension from the ride over had lifted away. "Would you like me to help you get settled?"

"That would be great." Miranda examined the tables again. Most were bustling with multiple orcs haggling and even more waiting. She didn't even know where to start.

"Is there something in particular you're looking for?"

Something she was looking for? Her eyes scanned over the heaps of cloth, and shoes, and small carved items. There was very little food, but it seemed that was because the orcs provided it.

Besides making connections so their lives would be easier after Rove Wood Clan left, it really didn't matter. Govek could hunt, grow, or make almost everything they needed.

But... there was one thing. "Is there... anyone at Oakwall that can help with trauma?"

Savili tipped her head, blonde hair catching in the wind, and Iytier glanced momentarily their direction. Miranda felt her cheeks heat as Savili asked, "What do you mean?"

"Like... if a loved one passes away or something really terrifying happens and you can't stop thinking about it..." Miranda's throat closed again, and she looked away from the woman, took deep breaths, worked the tiny faces of her babies out of her mind.

"Did something terrible happen to you, Miranda?"

God, how to answer that question when she couldn't even catch a breath?

"I'm sorry," Savili said quickly. "I didn't mean to pry." She stepped closer to Miranda and placed a hand on her arm. "We all have some horrors in our pasts that are difficult to speak on."

Some of the tension in Miranda's chest eased.

"To answer you, there isn't one particular person from Oakwall that would be of good help." Savili continued, stroking down her babies back. "We all tend to band together for support. It's a small community, after all. Barely a thousand at Oakwall and only three hundred at Rove Wood. We keep to ourselves. Only trade among each other. Until Tavggol found Viravia in the woods, no one from the outside had joined our clan for almost four generations."

"We barely have visits from other orcs," Iytier said as he took the lid off a crate of apples. "There are only a handful of warriors who we trust to deliver the healing tinctures we make, and they only stay long enough to retrieve them. Not even Karthoc travels to the Rove Woods often. This is the first time he's set foot in the clan in almost five years. He didn't even come to tell us about Tavggol's capture in person. He sent a bird." The bitterness in Iytier's tone was obvious.

Miranda blinked with surprise and glanced toward Karthoc still standing with Govek near the perimeter of the birch trees. They both looked tense.

"Savili," Iytier said tensely, drawing Miranda's attention. His eyes were narrowed on the crowd.

"Oh, Fades spit," Savili said, and Miranda scanned the crowd to find what they were looking at, or rather, who .

There was a little group of women gossiping off to the side. Miranda recognized Hilva and the other two. The last woman was new.

She was tall with curves for days and stunning blonde hair that fell in lush waves down her back. Her green eyes were striking, her nose was petite, her lips were full and red enough to make Miranda think she was wearing lipstick.

"Yerina."

Miranda's stomach dropped. What the heck was with Govek being surrounded by all these stunning women?

"Fades be." Iytier dropped the crate he was holding. Likely all the apples were bruised now. His hand raked through his long hair the same way Govek always did, unsettling it from its queue. "I thought Viravia sent a message asking for Yerina to be kept in the village today."

"She did. But clearly, Headman Gerald didn't comply with her request," Savili muttered.

Miranda glanced back at Yerina as the woman flipped her hair in the wind. Her long-lashed eyes scanned as if searching for someone. Did she know Govek would be here? Was she going to confront him outright?

The anxiety lacing the back of Miranda's throat hardened and her spine steeled as she readied for the verbal fight that was sure to come. The sensation was all too familiar from her time spent in the group home.

Savili heaved a sigh. "Miranda, I'm sorry. I'm not sure how much you know about Yerina?—"

"I know enough." Miranda said firmly. "I know she's Govek's former lover and I know that she's been spreading lies about him. Lies that I fully intend to put a stop to."

"What?" Savili sounded baffled, and her wide-eyed expression betrayed her.

"That's one reason we came to the trade today." Miranda saw no reason not to be forthright with the woman. If anything, Savili could help.

But instead of confidence, Savili said hesitantly, "Miranda, you shouldn't. Yerina can be extremely difficult."

"Savili is right," Iytier said, expression tight. "It would likely be best for you and Govek to go. Come back to the trade a different day."

Miranda narrowed her eyes. "You both want the lies about Govek to continue?"

Savili immediately looked to Iytier, and the male raked his hand through his hair again.

Miranda's stomach twisted. Had she guessed wrong? Did they dislike Govek too?

"We want..." Savili cut off, patted her baby, who had fallen asleep. Oh, to be little and not have to put up with any of this garbage.

"Can I be blunt?" Iytier asked, his voice low and serious. Miranda nodded, wishing he would get on with it. " The bulk of us that were Tavggol's closest friends know how Govek truly is at heart. We know he would never hurt a woman the way Yerina claims he hurt her."

"We do." Savili assured her with a firm nod. "He made Haysik's cradle. You should see it, Miranda. It's obvious he put incredible care and time into carving it. And I would know. My father is a woodworker."

Miranda's chest warmed at the thought of Govek building a cradle.

He'd done something like that and still didn't think Iytier and Savili considered him to be a friend? Her heart ached for Govek and she wondered how deep his insecurities truly ran.

"So, believe me when I say we've tried to change the clan's harsh opinions. It's like it's ingrained." Iytier dropped another box of apples heavily to the ground. "And his penchant for withdrawing completely at the slightest hard glance hasn't exactly helped. He won't even try to defend himself."

"Can you blame him?" Miranda crossed her arms. "The way Govek tells it, he never thought anyone from this clan has ever been on his side."

"That is not true," Iytier said with a little too much force.

Miranda held up her hand. "I'm not debating the truth of it. I am just saying what Govek perceives. And frankly, even after being here for a few days, I can see how he got that impression. Y'all are either suspicious or angry at him. Not one person welcomed him back to the clan. Not one person seemed relieved that he'd survived Estwill, only irritated he hadn't managed to bring back more women."

"That's not how I feel." Iytier threw up his hands .

"Perhaps not, but you didn't offer him many kind words when you saw him this morning, did you?" Miranda pointed out. "I'm not saying you don't have a right to be angry at how obtuse he can be. I'm just trying to help you see things from Govek's perspective."

Iytier's green face grew pale and Savili's eyes fell to the ground.

"There've been so many misunderstandings between the clan and him it's completely overshadowed how amazing Govek is. How selfless he can be. I've witnessed that firsthand. He saved me out in the woods. He fed me while he went hungry. He literally gave me the clothes off his back. He's held me when I'm at my worst and made me laugh even when I didn't want to."

He was patient, and kind, and she never tired of being around him. Even now she wished he was standing beside her so she could rub his fist into unclenching and rest her head on his arm and chatter at him about how strongly she felt for him. How much she... she...

Oh wow .

She was in love with him.

Her cheeks heated and her heart hammered, and she glanced up at the two faces regarding her with confusion.

Confusion and guilt

Her heart was still pounding from her revelation, but she took a breath, determined. "You say you're on Govek's side, but he doesn't see it that way. And honestly, neither do I. No one has ever taken his side, but I intend to change that. He's been silenced long enough. And a good place to start is by dispelling all these lies Yerina's been spreading." Miranda's brow furrowed then. "Do you know why she's perpetuating them? "

"I assume for attention," Savili said with a heavy sigh. "Most of those who listen think her very brave and valiant for going through what she did with Govek and not calling for a judgment against him. She claims it is to maintain the peaceful trade between our peoples, which makes some feel indebted to her for being so gracious."

"Do you know why she started them in the first place?"

"No," Iytier said. "But I do know she would often play this way. Scorn him so he might bring her more boons to win her back, and he always did. Except that last time as he left for Clairton without telling anyone, and then..."

"Hmm..." Miranda glanced back toward Yerina and found her curling her hair around her finger, pouting her pretty red lips. "I can imagine Yerina was pretty pissed about that. Especially if she expected him to come back on his hands and knees and he never did."

"He never came back at all ," Iytier said, his voice low and his expression dark. "And Chief Ergoth told us it was because he found himself too dangerous and I was a stubborn fool. Too angry that he left for Clairton without even..."

Savili placed a hand on Iytier's arm and Miranda wondered, once again, just how many misunderstandings had led to Govek's alienation.

And how many of those misunderstandings led back to Chief Ergoth?

Savili began to remove the baby sling and passed her little one on to Iytier. "Well, we aren't going to get Yerina to admit anything if we just stand here. Let's just go and see where it leads."

"Sounds good to me." Miranda perked up. She honestly hadn't expected Savili to go with her .

" You sure you want to take this on Savili?" Iytier asked, though he was already adjusting the sling to his height.

"I am. I can handle it, Iytier."

"I don't doubt you"—the male plucked a kiss to the top of his mate's head—"just try not to be too loud."

Savili cast him a mischievous smile. "Never thought you'd give me that command."

Miranda snorted, trying to hide her laughter, and not doing a very good job of it. Her eyes scanned the crowd again. She found Govek still talking with Karthoc.

She hoped they would have enough time before he came to join her. Miranda expected the verbal punches to be flying, and she didn't want him bruised any more than he already was.

Miranda followed Savili through the crowd to where Yerina was still talking with Hilva and a few other women from Rove Wood near the center of the trade pavilion. Her hair billowed, her posture was loose and flippant. Her expression was a perfect mix of aloof and bemused.

God damn it. Why did Miranda have to be such a jealous ninny? Why did her abandonment issues have to crop up at the worst times? Govek was imprinted on her, not Yerina.

Yerina caught Miranda's eye in the crowd. They flashed with acknowledgment which meant Hilva must have filled her in on everything .

Yerina's sharp green eyes trailed all the way down Miranda's body and back up again. She scoffed. Mocking laughter touched her red lips before she turned her attention to Hilva and whispered something into her ear that made the younger woman chortle and stare .

Oh, it was on . She and Savili walked over with no hesitation.

"Yerina," Savili greeted cooly. "I don't think you've been properly introduced to Miranda yet."

"No, I haven't, but Hilva tells me Govek brought her here." Yerina's voice was high and crisp and grated on Miranda's nerves. "It's good to meet you. How are you settling into the clan? I'm sure it must be a might overwhelming for you."

Miranda bristled and bit back, "It hasn't been bad at all. I've been warmly welcomed by everyone."

Yerina smirked, eyes flickering down Miranda's body. "You do look a state, don't you? It's all right, Miranda. I know that orcs can be rather a lot to handle, even on the best of days. It takes a special kind to keep them content."

If Yerina was going to come out punching, Miranda would too. "Oh, I have Govek plenty content."

Yerina rose her brows slightly. "Oh, is that so ? Well, I suppose you don't need my advice then."

Miranda tipped her head. "Advice? I thought you would try to give warnings ."

"She will give you warnings." Hilva cut in and stepped forward even as the other two women from Rove Wood backed away. They were smart enough not to get caught in the crossfire. "And you would be lucky to heed them."

"Hilva," Yerina said smoothly, almost cooing. "Thank you for defending me, dear, but perhaps you would be good enough to fetch me something to drink?"

Hilva jerked, clearly put out.

"I'd like a private word with our newcomer. You understand, don't you? "

With a grumble, Hilva conceded. She walked off toward the orc side of the trade.

"Don't think you can get rid of me so easily, Yerina." Savili crossed her arms.

"Of course not, Savili. You're always welcome." She turned her full attention back to Miranda. "Hilva told me you and Govek have been intimate in the past. I assume then that you are here to learn what truly transpired between Govek and I?"

"If by ‘in the past' you mean just this morning, then, yeah, we've been intimate in the past. And we'll be intimate again in the future." Miranda watched Yerina's face carefully.

But the woman was good at her game, her expression barely flickered. "Your confidence is adorable." Yerina's eyes moved toward the crowd, to where Govek was still engrossed in his conversation with Karthoc. "Hilva mentioned you couldn't have been together more than a handful of days and yet Govek is here. At the trade for the first time in almost a season."

"What's your point?"

Yerina's eyes flashed, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Orcs come here to find conquests, you know? I'm just surprised that his interest with you waned so quickly."

Miranda's gut twisted despite herself. "You go on and tell yourself that."

Savili cut in. "Perhaps you shouldn't speak of waning interests, Yerina. Govek was with you for almost three seasons, and in the end, never decided to make you his mate."

"Oh, but he wanted me to be. He was constantly talking about bringing me to his home. Keeping me all to himself. Worshipping me."

Miranda's heart clenched in her chest.

Yerina's expression was smug. "Oh, he didn't tell you that, did he? That he practically begged me to stay with him."

Damn it, she was blustering . It meant nothing.

And yet Miranda's stomach wouldn't stop churning.

"I am the only woman who could ever handle him, after all." Yerina flipped her hair and looked down her nose at Miranda. "Who could face him at his utter worst. You have seen it, right? Watched him lose control?"

Miranda balled her fists. "Of course, I have."

"Do you mean that little fight between him and Wolvc? Hilva told me all about that," Yerina said with a shrug. "I don't mean like that , Miranda."

Miranda went cold.

"I meant have you let him lose control with you ? You would know if he did. It's..." Yerina sighed, bit her lips like she was imagining it.

Imagining being with Govek when he lost himself.

She'd had that. Yerina had gotten him to lose control.

And Miranda couldn't.

"I thought you said he attacked you?"

Savili's voice was loud and broke Miranda out of her stupor. It broke Yerina too, making her glower.

But Savili continued, undaunted. "You've been saying for a whole season that Govek lost control and hurt you. And now you speak on it as if it's something Miranda should be envious of. So, which is it? Did he hurt you or pleasure you? "

"That is none of your business, Savili," Yerina snapped. "It's between Govek and I."

Savili laughed. "You must be jesting? You made it everyone's business when you started spreading your lies."

"I never lied," Yerina insisted. "I've only ever spoken the truth about Govek. That he lost control, and it was..."

The humming sigh Yerina let out made it obvious where her mind was and Miranda clenched her teeth.

"Yerina, I have heard you say he attacked you with my own ears," Savili said just as Hilva came up behind Yerina holding a full cup of water.

"Perhaps I embellished a little," Yerina admitted flippantly before looking Miranda in the eye. "Govek and I were so passionate. It's understandable that emotions would grow high."

"Your embellishment caused many in Rove Wood Clan to think Govek attacked and hurt you," Miranda said coldly.

Yerina shrugged. "I cannot control what others think and say. I am not responsible for the rumors."

"Govek was alienated because of you."

"I cannot be blamed for that," Yerina said smoothly. "He was an outsider long before I gave him my support and comfort. He leaned on me greatly for it. I helped him more than anyone else ever has and he won't soon forget that."

"Yes, in exchange for boons." Miranda could feel the rage bubbling up her throat, threatening to make her voice louder. She worked to keep herself calm. There were more people watching now, listening in. If she got hysterical, they wouldn't take anything she said seriously.

"Why shouldn't I have received boons from him?" Yerina asked. "All other conquests receive boons in exchange for their service. "

"Yes, but you weren't a conquest, were you? Otherwise, Govek would have a son right now." Miranda pointed out. " You were in a romantic relationship with him. Tell me, Yerina, did you ever care about him at all?"

"Of course, I did?—"

"Or was it just his boons you wanted? Meat and tinctures." Miranda kept her gaze on Yerina even as she noticed Hilva tensing in the background, as others from the trade began to gather near. "You had quite a good thing going, didn't you? A good transactional relationship."

"That's how all orc and human relationships are!"

"Is it? That's not how my relationship with Govek is now. If we ask the other mates in Rove Wood Clan, do you think they would agree with you?"

Yerina scoffed. "You're honestly saying you're with that male and getting nothing in return? Then you must only be with him out of pity."

Miranda ignored her goading. "It made you pretty mad when he decided the deal wasn't sweet enough, didn't it?" Miranda spoke loud and clear. "You say he lost control, but you did too, didn't you? He gave you the best you ever had, but on his side, it was mediocre. It was so dull for him he broke things off entirely, you poor thing. That must have stung."

"I have never been mediocre!" Yerina almost shrieked. "Govek groveled at my feet. I gave him the attention no one else was willing to give. I was the best he ever had, and he'll want me back. That's why he's here today. Because I'm the only one for him, and he knows it."

"He's here because I asked him to accompany me. He never even mentioned you when we made our plans," Miranda said. "What makes you think he'd ever want you back?"

"You delusional wretch! He will come back to me. He'll toss you in the mud." Yerina jabbed her finger at Miranda but wasn't brave enough to make contact. "Just you watch. I'll win him back in the end and then I'll be matriarch of Rove Wood Clan and I'll make your life miserable ."

"I will never allow that to happen." The low tone shot a shiver up Miranda's spine, and she shot her gaze toward the voice.

Govek had arrived.