Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

MIRANDA

T here were kids everywhere .

They climbed up on wagons, called after their fathers, wrestled over tree stumps, and careened down the street like their butts were on fire.

They laughed, and yelled, and played silly games that looked a lot like tag. Every one of them was a rough and tumble boy with green skin and little fangs and bright happy eyes.

Miranda's chest was tight, her throat was thick, and her hand shook, but she also felt so full watching them.

She wished that her babies could have lived here and been happy like these children.

While at the same time, she was so relieved to see that orc children were just like human ones. And that they were so well cared for and obviously loved.

She refused to let her own grief taint her view of another child. She refused to let jealousy over what could have been color the joy of what was now. It wasn't fair that her babies couldn't have the blissful life these orc sons did, but that wasn't their fault. It wasn't this community's fault.

She swallowed. Was... it her fault? She'd been the one who hadn't gone back to save them.

But... would she have been able to save them?

Govek placed a hand at the small of her back and she glanced up at his face. She managed to blink away the tears prickling in her eyes.

"I'm so so glad you're coming," Viravia said, her voice muffled under the multiple layers she was huddled under. Her pregnancy must have been making her cold or something because although the air was crisp, Miranda was perfectly fine in the cloak Govek had given her and a thick wool dress.

"How many kids are in the clan?" Miranda asked. There were only twenty women acting as mates and somehow because of that small number Miranda had assumed that there wouldn't be many kids.

But that was obviously not the case. There were dozens of children of all ages. Apparently, it really was more common to get a conquest from Oakwall than it was to take an actual mate.

"Close to fifty?" Viravia mused. "Perhaps more? I know there are a few pregnant conquests at Oakwall as well."

Oh frick. Miranda hadn't even thought of that. If they merged, how would those babies get to their dads? Would they have to come all the way back to get them? And then carry their newborn over war-torn lands?

Govek's hand tightened in hers as her eyes shot up to him. His brow was furrowed as if he were worrying about the same thing .

"Govek, what is Karthoc's forge like?" Miranda asked as her eyes settled on a few orc kids swinging from tree branches.

"I... don't know," Govek admitted, and Miranda met his eyes again. "I have never been there."

"It's horrible."

Miranda jerked her gaze back to Viravia. "You've been to Karthoc's home?"

"Oh—uh." Viravia cleared her throat and Miranda's stomach twisted. Was she getting sick? Is that why she was so bundled up? "I meant in general the world out there is horrible. Every city, orc and human, has high walls surrounding it, blotting out the view. It isn't often safe to leave those walls for any length of time, so the areas around have been stripped barren and inside it's even worse." Viravia looked up at the tree canopy. They were close enough to the hall now that the sky flickered from the Rove Trees crystalline leaves, casting rainbows through the blue. "It's nothing like this."

"You traveled around a lot, right? As a trader?" Miranda asked. "It must have been dangerous."

"It was," Viravia answered softly. "It was not an easy time, my childhood. Nor... after."

Miranda decided not to pry, and instead, looked over to where an orc was unloading a wagon with his two young boys. Each time they passed one another, arms full of baskets and rucksacks, the dad tried to rustle his sons' hair and the boys would cackle with glee as they tried to dodge without dropping their stuff.

Everywhere you looked, there was happiness—people calling out greetings, visiting in front of their houses, throwing open windows to let in the crisp autumn air .

"Oh shi—uh." Viravia stopped in her tracks and lifted her scarf a little higher on her face. Any more and she wouldn't be able to see.

"What's wrong, Viravia?" Miranda looked around but nothing seemed out of place that could have startled her. The children laughed, orcs continued to unpack, and the hall was within sight with a handful of warrior orcs entering but she couldn't recognize any of them before they disappeared into the hall.

Her stomach twisted as she wondered if the seer was among them.

"N-nothing. I just forgot something at home."

"You forgot something?" Miranda asked, curious. "Do you want us to go back with you to get it?"

"No, no," she said with a wave of her hand. "You don't need to do that. My home is right there."

Miranda glanced and found that Viravia's tree house was, indeed, down the street from them. And she looked the other way and saw the Great Rove Tree just a quick walk away. So close to the hall. Miranda hadn't noticed since they'd only visited Viravia after dark.

"Are you certain?" Govek asked even as Viravia moved away.

"Yes, I'm fine . Estoc is already in the hall and Iytier will arrive at any moment. I'll be back shortly. Don't worry," Viravia said rapidly, already heading back down the street.

"All right?" Miranda said quietly as Viravia disappeared. "Is she always that scattered?"

"Scattered?"

"Forgetful, all over the place."

"Not typically," Govek muttered as they continued up the path toward the hall .

Miranda held Govek's hand tight, but kept her eyes on the kids. How they played and laughed and spoke just the same as the kids on Earth. Even though they were a different species, on a different planet, they were still kids who needed peace and love, who deserved clean air and safety.

Miranda's gut twisted, remembering what Viravia had described. "Govek... if they merge, what will the kids' lives be like?"

Govek made a little strangled sound and Miranda glanced up to find his face stricken. He'd never been around the children of Rove Wood Clan before. He probably hadn't even thought about this, and she couldn't blame him.

And now that he was... his expression told her everything she needed to know. She didn't need to make him harbor any more guilt than he already did.

She reached up to the back of his neck and pulled him down for a quick kiss. "I love you."

He huffed, and a tiny bit of tension ebbed from the muscles in his back.

"Govek."

Brovdir walked over to them with a steady gait. His eyes only flashed to Miranda briefly before turning to Govek.

"Brovdir," Govek greeted as his heavily scarred younger cousin stopped to his side. "What brings you to the hall?"

Brovdir's voice was like gravel. The scar around his neck looked ghastly. "Karthoc brought me. With the seer."

Miranda's stomach tightened. Dang it, she was trying not to think about the seer. It wasn't fair of her to blame him for not being able to give her the impossible—she knew that—but logic played no part in grief .

"Karthoc and Evythiken?" Govek said, incredulously. "Why are they here?"

Brovdir shrugged. "Food's better."

"And why did Karthoc bring you?" Govek asked. Miranda elbowed him in the side at his incredulous tone. But he just narrowed his eyes at her and explained. "Brovdir typically dislikes crowded places. I find it difficult to believe you also came here for the food."

Brovdir shifted his weight and said, "Brother has plans."

"Plans for what?"

"Ask him," Brovdir said.

"Brovdir!"

Karthoc's call came from inside the hall and the male's face twisted. He scratched at the back of his neck before letting out a deep sigh. "I'm... sorry. Must go."

"Yeah, sounds like it," Miranda said. She glanced at Govek and found him looking confused, brow furrowed at the hall doors as Brovdir jogged back over and disappeared within.

"You okay?" Miranda asked, stroking his arm.

"Yes," Govek said. "That's fucking odd ."

"Brovdir being in the hall with Karthoc?"

"Yes. Something doesn't sit right." Govek began walking and Miranda hurried to match his rapid pace. "Let's go find out why."