Page 30 of The Orc Outcast's Conquest

He shot her a look harsh enough to burn. Without another word, she settled down, exhaustion flattening her. “Okay.”

He snorted with what she assumed was approval.

“You won’t leave, right?” She couldn’t help herself.

But he answered readily. “No. I will not leave.”

A shudder rolled over her and she willed tears not to fall. She had no choice but to believe him. She took a deep breath of the rich smoky pine scent of his cloak and took a long look up at the billions of stars twinkling above her.

With their light shining upon her face, Miranda succumbed to sleep.

Chapter

Six

GOVEK

Govek watched the mysterious woman fall into a restless slumber. Her sleep drunk movements were jerky, and her brow was furrowed.

She dreamed of terrors. Of that, he was certain. He warred between the driving instinct to offer her comfort and the burning need to let her rest.

She’d saved his life. Fuck.

He wrenched his hand through his hair, tugging hard enough to rip strands free. Her imprint was thrumming like violent currents through his veins. It would be fucking agony to dispel it. Far worse than it had been with Yerina.

But he must. He could not keep this woman. He was going to war.

She mumbled something in her sleep, causing Govek to tense, to come to attention. Her voice was a beautiful melody. So high and sweet. He hung off her every breath.

“Don’t leave,” she muttered into the cloak.

Guilt speared him. It was like she could read his blasted mind.

But she would be fine on her own. He couldn’t be sure what kind of world this “Earth” was, but judging from her condition and her babble about dogs, she had evaded predators and knew how to survive. She even had that vile tincture that had torn his nose to pieces. It was probably what had saved her when she was running to the spring and back.

He’d been careful not to take a strong whiff of her since he’d healed himself in the spring. Even though every stupid fiber of his worthless being craved to do so. She was still doused in the noxious fumes.

They would protect her when he was gone.

She’d saved his life, and in return, he would abandon her.

His wretched claws crept out from beneath his nails, digging into his palms. He let out a harsh growl so deep it rumbled his entire chest.

Then he froze, whipping his head toward Miranda. He found her more relaxed than before, her expression more peaceful. Thank Fades, he hadn’t woken her.

She looked fucking wrung. The circles around her massive brown eyes were so dark they looked like bruises. Eyes that were so expressive it left him no illusion to her emotions. When she smiled, it felt like the warmth of summer and the little laugh she’d gifted him was?—

Fuck. Fuck. He was leaving her tomorrow.

Even if he wanted to keep her, he had nothing to offer. No boons to win her over.

Yerina had liked furs and fruits, but these Fades-forsaken woods outside the Rove Tree’s reach had been abandoned by all animals except for blighted predators and half-starved hares. The summer fruits had been picked over ages ago. Fish was the only sustainable food.

He might be able to find a few herbs if he looked hard enough—and got terribly lucky.

He would never be able to earn her affections with such meager offerings. He let out another frustrated growl.

Miranda made a humming sound, and he froze again. He’d woken her?

---