Page 81 of My Orc Has Big Tusks
“And what exactly is Laina’s role here?” my mother asked. “I understand she’s your veterinarian. For these…creatures.” The word “creatures” came out with a slight curl of her lip. “But why would you need a full-time vet?”
“She makes the impossible-seeming possible,” Krem said. “Without her, we would be orcs with good hearts but empty skills.”
By her frown, I could tell that made very little sense to my mother.
“You’d be surprised by how many creatures come through the facility,” I said. “And the need for a vet. I helped a creature give birth a few nights ago, and orc kingdom creatures have their own delicate physical needs. I keep a close eye on them all.”
Sofia launched from Brovish’s shoulder, flying across the space in a streak of orange, landing on my mother’s shoulder.
With a shriek, Carol made a frantic chopping motion with her hands near her shoulder. “Good heavens. Get it off me.”
Brovish froze.
“She’s friendly,” I said. “She won’t bite. She just…likes you.”
I had no idea why.
I’d seen Sofia reject people at adoption events, refusing contact with anyone she didn’t know and trust. Other than me, she’d never flown to a stranger this fast. Brovish’s eyes found mine across the table. Emberkits choosing someone new meant they’d found someone who could be trusted with their heart.
“Friendly, you say?” At least my mother’s voice had lowered from shrill to something more neutral. Her hand rose slowly, tentatively, hovering near Sofia’s back before making contact.She stroked the emberkit’s spine with careful fingers, still looking slightly terrified.
Sofia purred, the sound rumbling through the silence.
“Well,” my mother said, her voice strained. “Hello to you too, I suppose.”
The driftwhisps in my hair tilted their heads toward her, their silver tendrils brightening.
My mother squinted at my head. “What are those things?”
“Driftwhisps,” I said. “They follow emotional resonance. They choose people based on something we can’t measure.”
“They chose you? Are they safe?”
“Yes, they are.”
She leaned back, gaping at Sofia. “And this one?”
“That’s Sofia. She’s an emberkit,” I said. “She usually stays with Brovish.”
“In the kingdom,” Brovish said quietly, “when an emberkit chooses someone new, they’re showing their trust. They’ve decided this person is worthy of the bond circle.” He looked at my mother with something close to awe. “It’s considered a great honor. Sofia is…choosing.”
“He means choosy,” I said.
My mother’s expression remained conflicted. “She feels warm. And spiky.”
“She produces heat. It’s how emberkits regulate temperature and express contentment.”
My mother continued to stroke Sofia’s back, fascination warring with her discomfort.
“Her standards are very high for who she gifts her affection-presence to,” Krem said.
“Creatures know things humans don’t,” I said. “Things about true character.”
My mother absorbed this, though her gaze stayed fixed on Sofia.
“Would you like to see the rest of the facility?” I asked once she’d finished her tea.
She looked up, and for the first time since arriving, her attention seemed less centered on finding fault. “If there’s more to see.”
