Page 64 of My Orc Has Big Tusks
“I’ll take them to the next room to wait,” Drogar said. He hefted the crate to eye level and crooned to the beasties as we left the exam room.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LAINA
“The mirrormoose is transferring from a kingdom facility that was closing,” Greth said when we reached the enclosure. “Female.” He entered the fenced-in area with the moose-size creature watching him, shifting her hooves on the ground.
“Easy, there,” Greth said softly, his hand extended her way.
She stopped stomping her feet.
I gaped at her, understanding where she got her name.
She was broad-shouldered and wide-antlered, much like a surface moose. But her hide looked pale at first glance, almost creamy. When she moved, the colors shifted with her. The tree line reflected along her flank. The facility windows appeared and slid across her shoulder.
I had no words to describe her.
“As you can see, she mirrors her surroundings,” Brovish said from beside me. “Her antlers track her emotional state, going pale when she’s calm and dark when she’s stressed.” He glanced at her head. “They’re currently pale, so that’s good.”
“Wouldn’t want to see her when they’re dark,” Greth said, taking a step back from the creature. “They can be vicious.”
“She startles if she catches her own reflection.” Brovish swung open the gate and entered the enclosure with me. “We’ll keep her away from still water until she’s settled.”
I put the clinical part of my brain in charge.
“Amazing,” I breathed. “Simply amazing.”
Brovish gave me a tusk-filled smile.
“I’ll be inside,” Greth said, leaving us to our examination.
The driftwhisps lifted off my head and settled along the railing to watch.
When the mirrormoose turned to look at me, my own face appeared on her neck and stared back.
I froze.
I’d seen my reflection plenty of times, on mirrors, windows, and still water. But this was different. This creature showed me not just my features but the exact expression I wore, unfiltered and honest.
I looked uncertain. Caught between wanting something and being afraid to claim it.
“She mirrors emotional states as well as physical surroundings,” Brovish said. “Not always, but sometimes. Mostly when the viewer is…conflicted.”
“I’m not conflicted.”
“Laina.” He moved into my line of sight, blocking the mirrormoose and my reflection. “You’re allowed to be uncertain about your mother’s visit. About what’s happening between us. About all of it.”
“I’m not uncertain about you.” The words came out fierce, surprising us both. “I’m uncertain about explaining you to someone who’s never chosen anything that didn’t fit neatly into her idea of acceptable.”
His expression softened. “Then don’t explain me. Not until you’re ready.”
“And if I’m never ready?”
“Then I’ll wait for as long as you need.”
I looked past him to where the mirrormoose watched us both, our two forms reflected on her flank, standing close together.
The image steadied. My face in the reflection looked less uncertain now.
