Page 42 of The Orc Outcast's Conquest

She shivered, and he tensed, certain she had finally recovered her senses. That the idea of bathing in his presence had popped the bubble of security and her fear of him would begin in full measure.

A brush at his chin forced the air from his lungs. Her warm fingers smoothed up the side of his face to the hinge of his jaw. “You don’t have to hide, Govek. I’m fine.”

He hadn’t realized he’d concealed his teeth. “Hiding them is a courtesy to you.”

“Courtesy?” Miranda’s brow furrowed, and he nearly huffed with amusement.

“Yes. In my clan, we often keep our fangs hidden so that the humans do not become fearful.” This was especially true during their regular trade with Oakwall Village, but most of the orcs in Rove Wood kept their fangs hidden as a show of respect. Govek had taken great pains to cover his even though it took more effort to conceal his much larger teeth. He had always hoped that the show of control may call his brethren to treat him with less suspicion and disquiet.

To think he’d spent so many seasons in discomfort only to have them throw him away.

“I mean, that ship has sailed, hasn’t it? I already know what you look like now. And honestly, Govek, you look much better with your jaw in the right spot.”

He searched her face for the barest hint of fear and found none. She was being earnest.

Fades help him. He lowered his jaw into its natural position, and she gifted him with the most dazzling smile he’d ever seen.

Then she shivered again. “You’re really going to have me wash out here? It’s going to be freezing.”

“My skills with magic are not so wretched that I cannot fathom up a decent temperature for you.”

She blinked up at him. Fuck, she was too pretty, and he needed to look away so she didn’t see something in his face he was not ready to reveal.

“So, you can change water temperature with your magic? What else can you do?”

He hesitated, gut clenching. He should not have brought this up. The magic he held was unnatural. It was unsettling to all in this world.

But... not to Miranda. She was not of this world.

“Govek?” He savored the sound of his name on her lips, rolling the tender tone around in his mind until it filled him up.

“I only have the most basic magical skills,” Govek said. He’d never received proper training. Hoping without regular communions, his magic would dwindle to nothing.

It hadn’t worked, much to his father’s chagrin.

“I have done well by you, my son, and worked tirelessly. Your rearing was trying, but I have ever stood at your side as support. I do so in this too. Your strength will aid in your journey to Estwill, and I have every confidence that you will return a success.”

His gut twisted and his teeth clenched hard at the bitter memory of his father’s words.

“That’s okay.” Miranda’s voice was like a bell, a gentle chime that brought him back to the present. “I can’t do any magic, so whatever you can do is better than me.”

Of course not. She was human.

“I’ve never even seen magic before. Not real magic anyway.”

“Your . . . Earth . . . does not have magic?”

Her gaze shot to his, haunted, glistening. He gritted his teeth. Remembering her words.

“They’re all dead.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to apologize for bringing up her painful past when she wrapped her slender arms about his neck and pressed herself more firmly into his embrace.

Fuck, he was lost. So abysmally lost. He cradled her to him and soaked up every drop of tenderness she was willing to give.

Soon she would realize what he was and spurn him. He’d learned that lesson well from Yerina. It was inevitable. But until that moment, he would relish every touch she graced him with.

“Tell me about magic.” Her hot breath fanned over his nape and he barely stifled a shudder as bliss rolled through his gut.

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