Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

GOVEK

G ovek raked a hand through his hair as he followed his mate and Savili over to Iytier's produce wagon. His gaze stuck on Miranda as she bounced the little one.

The babe was so tiny. He should have expected that one would be, but he'd never been close to a son for an extended period, especially one so young.

"You can come right up here, Miranda." Savili gestured to the ladder near the front on the side. The cart was loaded with crates, but they'd been stacked to make a comfortable looking bench nearest the pull handles. "I'll go up first and you can hand Haysik to me."

"All right," Miranda said brightly, but Govek could hear the hesitation in her voice. See the slight clench of her fingers around the child's body.

She looked good holding a babe. Very good.

Fuck.

"You're going to let him pull your wagon? "

Govek turned. The other women were watching as they stood in a little circle near the fish carts. There were only five of them, all younger. The elder women rarely attended on the colder days. Their mates were all busy readying the supplies, but stopped to watch closely.

Hilva, a bare chit of a girl, stood with her hands on her hips, so slender and petite, and Govek found her bluster more amusing than irritating. At least she wasn't shrinking away and averting her gaze like the handful of other women who watched him take his place next to Iytier.

"Who pulls our cart doesn't concern you, Hilva," Savili shot back, and Govek blinked with surprise.

He'd known Savili nearly all his life. She'd grown up in Oakwall, and Iytier had pursued her for a long while before she finally came around. Govek had watched their relationship bloom over the seasons and had crossed paths with her a few times since she had made Iytier her mate.

But Savili had never once spoken to Govek directly. He had not thought she was quite so brave as this.

Hilva huffed, but the rest of the women had already abandoned her so she had no choice but to rejoin her mate on the fish cart near the back.

Govek took his place at the front of the wagon, holding the wood bar aloft slightly so Iytier could duck beneath. The male's face was flat and unhappy.

Savili's reaction to him was surprising, but Iytier's cold demeanor was not.

Tavggol had been Iytier's closest friend.

And Govek had failed to arrive at Clairton in time to save him.

Govek's hands clutched around the grip bar, putting concerted effort into not crushing the thing. He concentrated on his mate's chatter instead.

"Will his teeth come in sharp?" Miranda asked Savili. She was close enough behind him that if he reached out, he could brush the back of her head. It comforted him.

"The baby teeth don't. Thank Fades, because he's such a gusty eater. I expect he'll be breastfeeding for a long time to come."

Miranda laughed, but it was cut off by the sound of one of the orcs near the front announcing that it was time to head out. Chief Ergoth had taken his place on the first cart, and Govek craned his neck to see Karthoc and his warriors taking up the rear. Karthoc's expression was incredibly smug.

This would be a trade to remember. Govek couldn't decide if he was lucky to witness it or not. But his time for musing was over and the line of wagons began a steady pace.

"I'm surprised orc babies are the same size as human ones since orcs are so big."

"They get their growth spurts once they hit puberty. Until then they're pretty much human size. Otherwise, I don't know how I would manage. My arms would have fallen off already to say nothing of the birthing ."

"Yeah, I can imagine that it's not particularly fun," Miranda said lightly, even as Govek's stomach twisted. How would he manage watching her go through such pain?

Then he shook his head. This was not even something he should consider.

"I also imagine that a lot of insanity goes on with only boys running around. I once cared for a group of seven three-year-old boys for an entire shift—er, day . The place looked like a natural disaster had torn through. There was freaking poop on the ceiling ."

Savili laughed—a genuine one—and Govek noted that Iytier shifted his head to listen, his expression lightening. "Oh Fades. I've never had it that bad. But I bet you and Roenia could compete. She has five children."

Fades, Estoc had five sons? Govek hadn't known that. It was a wonder he'd ever had time to join their fishing trips.

"Govek."

The sharp tone Iytier used instantly brought Govek's attention back to the task of pulling. Was he being too slow?

"I apologize."

"For what?"

Govek bristled, but managed past his anger. "I apologize for being distracted. It will not happen again."

There was a brief pause before Iytier said. "That's it?"

Anger bloomed in Govek's throat, but he managed a thought. " And for listening in on your mate's conversation."

He could feel Iytier's glower lingering on him, but he refused to give into the male's ire. He would not lose control this day. He would not risk being seen as a beast in Miranda's eyes.

He'd worked so blasted hard to win her. He'd do anything to maintain her trust.

"Fades help me."

Govek shot a brief glance in Iytier's direction before saying, "Was there something else I was meant to feel remorse over?"

"I cannot believe you, Govek. This is exactly why everyone?—"

"Iytier."

The warning call came from Savili and he glanced back to find she was now skewering her mate with a much hotter glare than the one Iytier had used on him. The male all but balled in on himself as he went silent.

Govek sighed raggedly, already exhausted by the brooding male. "It's a long trek. Speak plain, Iytier."

Iytier blinked and straightened himself. Govek readied for the onslaught of accusations and tried to convince himself that nothing Iytier said could make him feel more guilty than he already did about Tavggol's death.

"Why did you leave for Clairton without me?"

Govek tripped.

"You are so shocked? You honestly think so little of me?"

Of course, he was shocked. Iytier's specialty in magic was gardening . How could a male that grew strawberries in snow patches ever think to hold his own against soldiers of the Waking Order?

"I did not think you wanted to come," Govek said dumbly.

"Of course , I wanted to come," Iytier hissed. "Tavggol may have been your brother, but he was my closest friend. And I wanted to support you as well. I thought we were friends, but it's been made clear to me this past season that was not the case."

Govek was doubly shocked. He would have fallen right over had the wagon not held him aloft.

Iytier was Tavggol's friend. Not his.

"I also can never forgive you for simply going off to Estwill of all horror drenched places, without even bothering to send a message to us at the seasonal communion. I know you wanted distance from us all to mourn after Tavggol's passing, but I never thought you would be so stupid as to?—"

"Iytier." Savili's threatening tone sounded past the ringing in Govek's ears. His mind clattered to put together everything Iytier was telling him.

"I apologize, Govek," Iytier said less begrudgingly. "I am just... we already lost Tavggol . If you were hurting so badly you were contemplating martyring yourself, you should have..."

Martyring himself? What?

Govek went cold, realizing it was not such an odd conclusion to draw. Viravia had called him a martyr too, on the night he'd left for Estwill.

The male sighed heavily, wiped a hand over his perfect, pale green face. "I am sorry. This is my own guilt talking. You asked for space, but I never should have given it. At least not for so long."

Govek's brows pinched. "I never asked for space."

Iytier's eyes rose to meet Govek's gaze. "What? Of course you did. Chief Ergoth made the announcement right after you returned from Clairton. He told us... what happened there."

Govek's gut pitched, and he could no longer meet the male's eyes. The pain of that day in Clairton was too great. It boiled inside him still.

"Chief Ergoth told us you did not feel safe to be among other orcs, that your control was in tatters, and that was why you did not come into the clan or allow anyone to visit you."

His mind was reeling. "My father told me you asked for space. "

"What do you mean I asked for it?" Iytier's eyes were wide.

"He told me... after Clairton... he said the clan had passed a unanimous judgment that... I was not allowed to enter the borders of the clan... unless it was to get supplies or deliver meat."

"You're fucking kidding me. We never held a judgment over this," Iytier said. "Chief Ergoth told you we did? Are you serious?"

Govek could only nod. His throat was too tight.

Iytier shook his head, looking away.

The rest of the walk was done in silence.