“Ferila foni abus, Pawloma,” Ossa says as she rushes in, Atox right behind her.
I step aside for her to work and head for the door. Her hand on my arm stops me. “Stay, huuman.”
“You will assist my sister with my mate and youngling,” Atox orders.
Alrighty then. I’ve got nowhere else to be.
Ossa and her brother start arguing in Orcan. I wish I had one of those translation chips.
Fuck, what am I saying? I don’t need anything that will further ensconce me in orc life. I’m happy to help with the delivery in any way I can, but after that, I need to get home…to my own baby.
Ossa literally pushes her brother out of the room and shuts the door in his face before she starts organizing the room, moving the towels, water, Paloma, and me precisely where she wants everything and everyone. Maybe that’s what I should do. Take control of my surroundings—at least one specific orc—until I get what I want.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TANSEY
Finally. After hours of labor, we’re seeing some progress. Paloma’s fully dilated, and while neither Ossa nor I can understand each other’s language, we’ve developed a hands-on system. She places my hand or points to what she needs, and I let her direct me. Anything more complicated and Paloma translates…between screams.
It’s the middle of the night, and whoever’s talking outside our door is rather loud, distracting me and Ossa. Paloma, too. Ossa glares at the door again. Enough is enough.
I fling the door open, about to ask whoever is out there to quiet down, but when I see Verig standing with Atox, I lose my shit. All I can think about is how he doesn’t want kids, at least not mine, and yet he’s here waiting to see this baby born.
“You’re making a lot of noise out here. Quiet down,” I snap at them, then slam the door shut.
Ossa cracks a smile. She has no clue what I said, but I think she got the gist.
“Attaki hydro.”
“More water,” Paloma pushes out Ossa’s request while trying not to push the baby out.
I open the door and walk by both orcs, ignoring them completely. A slight growl reverberates down the tunnel. I’m sure Verig’s eyes follow me. Screw him. He doesn’t deserve my attention.
A few minutes later, I return with a pail of water, again keeping my eyes trained on the door without glancing at either orc. The moment I enter the room, Ossa leaves. I guess there’s something more she needs that she cannot describe to me or wait for Paloma to translate.
“A peli tananni a fumika sartog,” Ossa says when she returns.
I look to Paloma to translate.
“She says her brother’s an ass.”
“She does look rather pissed off. I wonder why.”
“I’m not sure, but I think it has to do with an orc Ossa’s dating. Or trying to date—” Paloma lets out the mother of all screams. This is it. The baby’s coming.
The next few minutes fly by with Ossa giving precise directions, never losing control of the situation. I’m glad she’s here.
Within minutes, we hear the cries of a newborn. This kid has strong lungs! That’s such a good sign.
I can’t believe how excited I am about the birth of a human-orc child, but when I take a look at the baby, I instantly fall in love with her. Ossa hands me the little girl, and I mean little. I expected a bigger baby considering how big Paloma’s belly was, but this baby’s only six or seven pounds.
I set her down on the trunk that I’ve lined with furs to clean her off as best I can before swaddling her in an incredibly soft suede towel. My colony uses wool towels, better for absorption, but they’re not nearly as soft as what the orcs use.
This sweet little girl’s light green skin is as soft as I remember Ethan’s. The ridges on her forehead don’t look strange to me or strike me as ugly. I peer inside her mouth to make sure it’s clear of mucus, especially since I don’t have a bulb syringe to suction itclear. Nothing there. Including tusks. Or teeth. I guess we’ll see in time if she takes after her mom or dad.
“Tansey,” Ossa calls. “Hands. Here.” She’s still between Paloma’s legs, but it doesn’t look like she’s delivering the afterbirth. Fear shoots through me. Something’s wrong. I don’t want to put the baby on the floor. I could forget myself and step on her.
Ossa grabs the baby from me, flings the door open, and shoves her in Atox’s arms, quickly slams the door in his face again, and returns to the bed. I see another head pushing through the birth canal. Twins!
