Page 5 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“My eyes can count toward one of the things.”

“What do you mean?” She sniffled, rubbing at her face. She wanted to stop crying, but her body fervently disobeyed.

Govek’s steps were steady as he continued. “I can see intricate columns lining our path, arches above our heads, smooth stone floors, and dust that proves this place has been abandoned for a long while.”

“Where are we?”

“Inside the goblin mine. And we must be quick, so none find us here before we make our escape.”

“How long?” she gulped. “How long until we’re out?”

“Not long,” he assured her softly. His breath rustled her hair again. “Four things I can hear.”

“How do you know about this exercise?”

There was a brief silence. Another blink. “I was not unconscious when you were bringing me water to wash out the poison on that first day we met. Only paralyzed.”

“What? Are you serious?” For one breathless moment, she was struck dumb and then all the memories of sitting next to him babbling while he died slammed into her. “Oh god! I’m so so sorry.”

His chest quivered and rumbled, and she realized that he was trying to withhold laughter. She wanted to hear it. Let it drown out what remained of her horrors. “I can’t believe it. You must have thought I was a complete idiot.”

“I did think you might have been insane.”

“I guess this event confirmed that for you,” she mumbled, clinging to him a little tighter.

He hummed. “I’m still not sure. I need more time with you before coming to a proper judgment.”

“You really want me to stick around? Even though I’m probably crazy?”

“Yes, Miranda.” His voice was solid and sweet. “I want nothing more than that.”

Her chest swelled, and her pulse quickened. She found his lips in the dark and gave him a lingering kiss that flooded her with warmth.

When she broke away, his voice was tinged with pleasure, and it made her want to weep for a completely different reason. “Performing the taste portion early, are you?”

That got a laugh out of her. The sound felt raw and vibrant in the darkness. She hugged him close again, pressing her cheek to his.

Then he huffed a harsh breath and continued moving. “We cannot falter here.”

Miranda wasn’t going to argue with that. The darkness was oppressive and even with Govek’s strong hands around her, she couldn’t help but feel the terrifying weight of the cavern closing in.

“Fades willing, we will not be found.”

Miranda shivered, and in response, Govek dipped to the left. He uncurled one of her arms to stretch out and touch the rock wall. Her hand dragged gently along the dusty surface. The dips and grooves showed patterns were carved into the walls. A harsh contrast to the smooth metallic surface in her nightmares. Every minute or so Govek would shift outward, and her fingers would swell around one of the round columns he’d described.

Her mind worked back over Govek’s words from before the tornado had descended on them. It felt like a lifetime ago. “Do you think the Fades created humans on Earth too? That they left Faeda and went to my planet next?”

“I am no seer. I have no skills to divine with the Fades outside of humble communions to their force.”

“But . . .”

“I... believe that it was the Fades who saved you. Guided you to our lands. Kept you safe in your own,” he swallowed thickly. His voice became a whisper. “Gave you to me.”

She met his eyes again, and the steady hope she saw rocked her.

“I believe they imprinted you on me.”

Her brow furrowed. “Imprint? What does that mean?”

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