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Rogan’s arms tighten around Bran. “You did the right thing, coming here,” he agrees.
After a quick pause to lock up, we’re soon on the road, passing the guard station. The front gate opens again, and we drive inside along a well-kept path. I gasp with surprise because I feel like I’m driving into a nice mountain resort which isn’t at all what I expected. Cabins are far enough apart from each other, allowing each orc to live in privacy, but still have community. Everything appears rough-hewn, as if built from hand, but this makes it all quaint. There’s a large communal lodge with an enormous fire pit in a center square. “It’s beautiful,” I exclaim.
“Yes, we spend a lot of time keeping our commune up to date and in good working order.”
We drive down a wide gravel path to our left. Male orcs of all shapes and sizes, young and old, walk alongside the path, going about their daily life, sometimes yelling out greetings. It never ceases to amaze me how there are only male orcs and how they must mate with human women to procreate. A whole species that is entirely male.
Rogan’s chest puffs with pride as we drive through the community with his grandson in his arms. Orcs yell out in greeting and give me strange looks, probably wondering what I’m doing here.
A few different groups of human women, of all ages and ethnicities, turn and wave and smile at me as we pass by. It comforts me, seeing them dressed entirely “normal,” as if we were out in the regular world. They look pleased to see me. I wave at them in return, happy to see other women freely choosing to live here.
“If you decide to stay, I’m certain the females will quickly come by to greet you,” Rogan offers. “They are a tight group with deep friendships.”
I nod, loving the idea of having a group of women who also have orc husbands and children to hang out with and commiserate. It would be lovely to talk with women who are going through the exact same thing I’m going through.
Now we reach a part of the commune where the cabins seem farther apart with less people around. Tall, thin trees and greenery abound everywhere. I can’t get over how green and lush Maine is compared to California.
We turn and start on a wide path that seems to lead into the forest again. “Where are we going?”
“My son lives on the outskirts of the community. He prefers more privacy because of his wild instincts.”
I look around and notice that it’s true that there aren’t any neighbors in this section. “This area looks empty, like we’re just in the surrounding forest again. The fence is still out there?”
“Yes, it’s just too far away to see.”
“That’s a lot of fencing.”
“We’ve built it up over centuries because in old times we needed safety from human mobs. But now that Brides in this commune are here with their own consent, we are left alone.”
“Oh, that’s good… You really did kidnap women against their will and drag them off to your lair and keep them against their will?”
“Sadly, yes. Ancient Orcs considered this part of orc culture and the only way to mate. Humans and orcs used to never communicate except through warfare. The kidnapping often turned violent with many humans killed during kidnappings, especially in the dark of winter, and the female traumatized. In the past, no one ever thought human females would freely want to remain with an orc and it was considered the way to find a mate. But that hasn’t happened within this commune in centuries. We have changed our ways and you are safe here. Remember, the three of us didn’t want you to stay. You are here of your own free will, accepting the risk.”
I nod in agreement.
“But we will still do our best to keep you safe,” Urdan shouts from up front.
And then he parks in front of a cabin that stands all by itself and I’m pleasantly surprised. I’d been expecting something one step above a lean-to or an older RV and instead it’s a small log home with large glass windows and an expansive porch. It’s almost nicer than any of the other cabins in the center of the community.
“Wow, this is nice,” I comment.
“It should be,” Kelt grunts. “He’s been fixing his cabin up for you since the moment he returned from his mission in Bangor.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really, female.”
All three orcs exit the vehicle. Urdan strides forward, up the front steps, onto the porch and boldly opens the front door without knocking or using a key.
Oh wow.
I follow behind the orcs and step inside behind them, still amazed at how much I like this little cabin. I spin circles with Bran in my arms. There’s a little kitchen with an actual oven and stovetop and even a small fridge. The chairs and couches look bigger than normal for huge orc bodies. The ceilings are tall I’m sure to accommodate their horns. But everything is very tidy, and the cabin smells good. I see the perfect spot to set up my coffee maker. In the front living space is a new-looking flat screen TV. “Oh my gosh, I can watch Netflix here?”
“Yes,” Kelt laughs.
I stride down the short hallway because I’m nosy. And that’s when I see the nursery. I walk in. There’s a crib and a changing table and…and… Tears instantly form behind my eyes. I stumble into the room and wander around, more tears falling. “Did he build this crib?”
“Yes, with his own hands. It’s an orc tradition.”
It hits me hard then that Whelan Overlook really did know the whole time I was pregnant, and he wanted his babies as much as I did. And I kept them from him on the other side of the country. I sit down heavily in a rocker in the corner. I look down at Bran’s precious green features, reminding myself that they are only three months old.
I can fix this.
Whelan can have all the time he wants, being with them, giving them bottles, getting them washed and dressed and changing their diapers and holding them in his arms. He wasn’t able to be there to watch me carry them or for their birth, but he can still be with them now, when they are still small. And he’ll have his sons by his side always to watch their growth for the rest of their lives.
Rogan stands patiently beside me, holding Owen, his other hand on my shoulder as I cry. “My son did a good job with this nursery,” he comments. “The only problem is that Whelan thought you were carrying one child. He didn’t account for twins.”
I use the back of my hand to swipe at my tears. “Good thing I brought along that crib. We will really need it.”
“Yes, we will.”
Kelt and Urdan unload the cart. Then they put together the extra crib and push it right next to the other one. The rest of my luggage and everything else we brought is placed in the front room. I place Bran in a bouncer so I can walk around, set up my Keurig and start moving luggage to the correct spaces and unpacking supplies.
“Are you sure you want to do that so soon? Maybe you should wait to fully unpack until you meet again with Whelan?” Kelt questions.
“Nope,” I insist. “I will start as I plan to go forward.”
He chuckles and leaves me alone.
The sun starts to set outside, leaving shadows and beams of golden light. “Kelt and I leaving,” Urdan finally a
I fish out two bags of Halloween treats and give one to each orc. “Thank you for all your help today. I really appreciate you putting together the crib.” I give Urban and Kelt each a big hug. They duck their heads because I suspect they are blushing. Finally, the two orcs drive away in the utility cart.
Rogan stays behind with me for another hour. I suspect it’s because he wants to make sure I’m a good mother before he leaves me alone with the babies in Whelan’s cabin. I should be angry at this lack of trust, but instead I admire the fact that he’s looking out for his grandsons.