“Aren’t you joining us for dinner? I’m going to make the big announcement.” She rested her hands on her stomach, realizing with a bit of embarrassment that it was already starting to become a habit.
“Not this evening, sorry. Gorya and I will have a quiet dinner together, and then I’ll read a bit before bed.”
“Some other time, then?”
“Some other time. Promise you’ll visit.”
“I promise.”
Beth and Kinna left, heading straight to the diner.
“She seems sad,” Beth said.
“Yes. She loved Goran, but it’s time for her to let go. I keep telling her. You humans get too attached to things, people, this world, life... You don’t know how to let go, and you suffer for it.”
“Hm. I guess you are right. Do you think visiting her will cheer her up?”
Kinna snorted. “She never cheers up when I visit her.”
Beth laughed. “Because it’s you. Your effect is, like, the opposite of that.”
“Thank you.”
Beth stared at Kinna, waiting for a scowl. It took her a minute to understand that her “thank you” had been genuine. She shook her head, making a mental note about how she was supposed to compliment the mage for guaranteed success.
Chapter Thirteen
The diner was packed, as usual. Even Gorya the Patient was there, though unfortunately Sonya had kept her word and was missing. Beth had hoped the former captain’s bride would make an exception for her. She would’ve loved to have a familiar face to comfort her. Familiar as in... human. She’d just met Sonya, but she already felt like they could be friends. Just because they had so much in common.
The huge table was laden with food and drinks. Burok and Krib left the kitchen and joined the others. Before Uthar gave the signal that they all could start eating, Beth pressed herself to his side, and whispered in his ear, “Do you mind if I say something before we begin?”
He looked at her with wide, perplexed eyes, and Beth felt like running out of there and finding a rock to hide under. She’d never addressed the horde before, so what made her think she could do it now? But Kinna had said this was a good idea.
Uthar cleared his throat and stood up. Everyone looked at him.
“My mate has something to say. Please be silent and listen.”
Beth felt a rush of heat travel up to her head. As she stood up, her legs shook, and she held on to the edge of the table to make sure she wouldn’t fall. Now all eyes were on her. She caught Kinna’s gaze, and the mage nodded at her. Beth let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Now her chest ached. Gorya gave her an encouraging smile, and she told herself,“I can do this. It’s one sentence. Maybe two. I don’t have to make a speech.”Uthar had sat down, and he was staring at her profile with increased curiosity. Her hand inched toward him, and he took the hint and covered it with his. His touch made her feel a little better. Grounded. She could do this.
“Umm... I just wanted to...” Her voice was too low and wavering, and she saw a few orcs lean in to hear her better, while a few others turned to their left or right to ask what she’d said. She took a deep breath and tried again. “I am pregnant. I found out today, and I just thought...” She looked at Uthar. “That you should know...”
Okay, that had been pathetic.
But no one seemed to care.
Uthar jumped to his feet so hard that his chair bounced back and toppled. He wrapped her in his arms and lifted her off the ground. Beth giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck as he spun her a few times.
She heard the horde cheer. Someone clapped, and Kinna started talking, telling them how she went to see Beth, and they found out the good news together. The female orcs wanted to know all the details.
“You make me so happy,” Uthar whispered in her hair. He kissed the top of her head as he placed her back on her feet. “This is all I wanted. A family.”
“Well, I’m happy to give it to you.”
“You will want for nothing. Our baby will want for nothing. I live to serve you.”
She blushed. It almost sounded too good to be true. But it was true. She looked into his eyes, and she saw that he was honest. Right then and there, he was ready to give her anything she asked for. Anything. She bit the inside of her cheek, wondering if this was a good time to tell him about Abby. And about what would truly make her happy. Not that she wasn’t happy with him and with the baby growing in her womb. But she wasn’t complete. Not yet.
She realized she would have to give Abby the news, too. Would her sister be excited for her? Probably yes. There wasn’t a single selfish bone in Abby’s body.