Page 25 of The Orc Outcast's Conquest

MIRANDA

Miranda held his arm tight as she guided him toward the spring, though she seemed to need his support more than he needed hers. Her legs felt like Jell-O. The adrenaline was wearing offand reality was setting in.

She couldn’t start crying now. She needed to be able to see, but her eyes were burning with unshed tears, her throat was closed up, and her stomach was clenched tight.

Everything that had happened on Earth was real.

Her planet was gone.

Hollow dread opened in her chest and her lips began to tremble.

“Fuck! It was this close?” The orc cut in. His low voice helped soothe her somewhat. Like a purr, almost.

The trek really wasn’t far. Just a hundred feet or so. Otherwise, she would never have found it. She would have gotten lost in her panic to heal him and wandered alone in the woods until she’d fallen from exhaustion.

He’d almost died because of her stupidity. “I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t respond other than to grunt.

Breaking through the trees, the sunlight spilled through the thinning canopy and illuminated the spring, giving Miranda her first good look at it. She hadn’t taken the time when she was filling the water pouch.

It was breathtaking. Smooth stones lined the beach where perfect, clear water lapped at them. The pool was ovular, with a slim inlet off one side and no visible outlet. The current created gentle ripples in the water. The reflections of the brilliant red sunset sparkled against the rippling waves, making it appear to glow from within. Dark green moss and brightly colored leaves covered the surrounding surfaces. Each gust had more leaves raining down, like colorful snow. They landed in the water, swirling lazily—bright red and orange against crystal blue.

The sight was like nothing Miranda had ever experienced. Unearthly bliss. Pure perfection. She sucked in a breath of crisp evening air, the fragrance of clean soil and fresh water so poignant she could taste it.

“Stay here.”

Miranda flinched as her companion tugged away. “R-right here? Where are you going? What if the wolves?—”

He hummed darkly, though she couldn’t tell if the sound was one of irritation or thought. He nodded toward a boulder. “I can lift you onto that.”

The rock was taller than she was and covered in soft moss. “Okay.”

The male hesitated, as if he hadn’t expected her to agree. His hands were still balled into fists and Miranda was suddenly fighting the urge to stroke them into relaxing.

Then he stepped forward. His hands lingered on her hips, and he hoisted her upward. He plopped her down and quickly removed his hands. Her skin tingled at the loss. Miranda said nothing, just brought her knees up to hug them. The orc swung off his cloak and placed it over the top of her legs, wrapping her up in its warmth and rich pine scent. It was oddly dry while the rest of him was soaked through.

“Thank you.”

He gave a brisk nod and turned to a nearby tree,yanking off his tattered shirt as he went.

Her mouth went dry all over again. Oh boy, he was built like a dream. Rippling muscles along his back, abs for days. She’d almost have believed a bodybuilder had saved her, except he was green. Did orcs have those kinds of competitions or was he just naturally buff?

He tossed the shirt away into a nearby thicket. He wasn’t going to keep it? He was going to go shirtless from here on out? Was this some kind of reward or was it torture?

Then he flicked at the tips of the sharp branches on one of the bare trees. He picked one that was thick enough to be sturdy but tapered into a point. It was almost as tall as he was and the crack as he snapped it off at the trunk of the tree cut through the quiet and made her hands clench.

He wasn’t staggering anymore, even over the rock laden beach. That had to be a good sign, right? Proof he was healed? The fading light was too dim for her to see if his complexion had recovered. He’d been so pale, he looked almost white. Like the inside of a cucumber or maybe a honeydew smoothie.

Her stomach twisted, unsure if she was hungry or about to throw up. She really needed to stop comparing this guy to food.

The orc waded into the spring, holding the stick under his arm so both hands were free. The pool was so clear she could see his legs beneath until he got to where the water was bubbling. He cupped the liquid in his hands and rinsed his face clean.

Then he snorted, coughing and sputtering as if he’d inhaled it.

“Are you okay?” Miranda was poised to push her way off the boulder. She knew CPR. She could save him if he was drowning. God, after all that, don’t let him fricking drown. She couldn’t handle being out here alone with nothing but her own thoughts.

He cast her a harsh look. Those emerald eyes narrowed. Spitting the water out of his mouth, he wiped off with his arm and Miranda was embarrassed by the knowledge that, of course, he wasn’t drowning. No one was stupid enough to breathe water out of their own palm.

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