Page 67 of The Orc Outcast's Conquest

She blinked, eyes huge. “What?”

Govek considered taking back his words, but he examined the fit of the cloak, the smooth set of the shoulders, the length that covered down to her ankle without dragging on the ground, the width that would allow for her slight frame to fill out some.

The blasted thing fit her fucking perfect. Like the Fades had guided his hand with her in mind while he cut and stitched it.

“I made it for you, Miranda.” He gripped the hood, hands moving to the sides of her face. Her cheeks were pink as he pulled it up. Her skull filled it out so it couldn’t fall in front of her eyes.

He lost his reservations for the briefest moment and trailed his still gloved hands along the rim of her ears. She shivered and leaned into the touch. Warmth bloomed in him.

“For you.” His voice was barely a whisper. “My...” mate. He wanted to say it so badly, but the image of her bolting from him was too sharp. Even if he now knew that wasn’t why she’d fled.

Her breath fanned his face.

Her soft lips brushed his cheek.

She kissed him. She willingly kissed him without the barest hint of prompting. Heat spiked from the lingering touch and radiated throughout his chest.

“Thank you, Govek,” she said, and he felt as if he would burst apart. “I don’t know where I would be without... well, I guess I do know. It wouldn’t be good.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek again and tightly clung to his neck. “I have no idea how I’m going to pay you back, but I swear I will. If you ever think of something I could do...”

Fuck! He was a greedy wretch, but he would not pass up this offer. “You must stay with me then.”

She leaned back to meet his gaze.

He swallowed hard. “Stay with me until... until I can think of a way for you to repay me.”

Her lips quirked and the barest hint of a chuckle left them. It skewered him, drawing him back into those moments she’d rolled with laughter while bathing. The incredible sound was more gorgeous than anything he could have possibly imagined.

“All right,” she agreed. “I’ll do that.”

She’d finished the food, so he offered the water pouch. She took slow sips before continuing. “Thanks for coming after me, too. I probably would be in Timbuktu by now if you hadn’t snapped me out of it. Or whatever place is super far from here. I’m not usually like that... I’ve never...” She took a deep breath, gulping hard.

“I told you I would chase you, and I will do it again if you try to flee.” He pulled the extra shirt he had out of his pack and shook it out.

Her smile returned. “I know you mean that like a threat, but it doesn’t feel like one.” He stilled. “Maybe we should try it out sometime.”

His blood heated as pleasure danced in his veins. The image of her darting away from him, laughing as he raced after her, hair billowing behind her, with cheeks and lips red, chest heaving.

While he fucking chased her? Hunted her down?

Fuck.

He shook for control. “For Fades’ sake, put on the fucking shirt so we can get moving.”

“Yes, sir,” she conceded, handing him back the pouch. “Should we fill that with more spring water? What if you get hurt again?”

He would fill it here, but... “The healing effect diminishes with distance and time. By the morn, it will have no magic left.”

“Oh,” she said, seeming a bit disappointed. His heart twinged. Was she worried about him?

She tucked the shirt he’d given her beneath her cloak so she could put it on. It drowned her, the arms baggy and rolled to fit the length of hers. The neckline dipped so low he could see the top of her breast covering. It bunched at her hips, far too long to suit her torso. She gently stroked the buttons he’d made himself. “I think I’ll just use the extra fabric to tie it up.”

He turned his attention to digging through his pack for more clothing, even though he knew he had nothing. She needed something to cover her legs.

“Man, I’m going to look like something else when we finally get to where we’re going. Not that I’m complaining.” She rushed on. “I’m super grateful. I just...” she plucked at the oversized shirt, smirking down at how baggy it was.

Govek huffed, thinking it looked good on her, regardless.

“Where are we going, by the way?”

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