Page 57 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Nothing.”

“She made you think they were your fault somehow? That you hurt her? If so, that’s really not okay.”

Govek said nothing but his expression revealed everything Miranda needed to know. Dang, no wonder the guy had so many hang-ups.

She crossed over to him and picked up one of his hands, forcing it to uncurl. To his credit, he only tried to pull away once, even though his claws were out. Little pricks of blood dotted his palms.

“We’re gonna break this habit of yours, Govek,” Miranda muttered, reaching for another cloth on the counter even though the wounds were already closed. Dang, orcs healed fast.

“I am sorry.”

“Lean down here.”

He obeyed, and she planted a kiss on his lips. One that she’d meant to be quick and sweet but turned a little too heated. “Damn, Govek. You taste too good.” She kissed his cheek and patted his chest. “How long do we have before we have to leave? Do you have any food?”

He grumbled a curse under his breath and looked around. “We will get you something at the hall.”

“Okay. Let me get cleaned up a little. I need to pee.”

She freshened in the bathroom and got her cloak on. By the time she was done, Govek had finished dressing and the sight of his tight button-down shirt and loose pants had her warring with herself.

“What?” Govek asked, brow furrowed.

“I honestly can’t decide if I like you better shirtless or like this.” She stroked his broad chest, and he huffed.

“This is the only shirt I have left. I will have to get more from the storeroom,” he said as she pulled away. He went to the front door and was careful, but it snapped off the other hinge, anyway.

Miranda burst into laughter at his disgruntled expression. “Oh man, your brute strength is really getting the best of you now. You better be careful or the whole house will be rubble.”

She hurried out, and he propped it in the doorway. “I promise to repair it.”

“Eh, whatever. It doesn’t look like anyone is going to rob us way out here.” Miranda noted how far away the nearest homes were.

He fell into step beside her on the path, frost glittered in the sunlight, making the forest look like a glazed donut. Dang, she was hungry. She hoped the food in the hall would be good.

“Why is your house so far out here?”

He didn’t respond, but his jaw was set, tucked all the way up again. She took his arm in hers and tipped her head up toward the sky.

Her breath caught from the sight above her head. “Govek, what is that?”

High above, the canopy of the huge trees blotted out most of the sunlight with their orange and red leaves. It was thick enough that it should have been impossible for the rays to get through, except some of the leaves weren’t colored. They were clear, as if made of glass. Streams of sunlight cast through the clear leaves and brightened up the canopy until it appeared to glow.

“What are those?” Miranda asked in wonder, her eyes fixed to the sight. The leaves glittered, sparkling as they swayed.

“Those are the leaves of the Great Rove Tree,” Govek said, pointing in the direction they were walking.

Miranda spied a truly massive trunk in the distance. So huge that it was almost difficult to comprehend among the rest of the forest. It stretched far above the others, breaking into thousands of branches and spiraling into the trees surrounding it. The glittering leaves reflected the bright red and yellow of the surrounding fall trees so vividly it looked like that area of the forest was on fire.

“Wow.” Miranda breathed. Her throat constricted. “It’s so . . . are they made of glass or . . .”

Govek studied her expression a moment before turning his attention to the canopy above. They’d just reached a more well-kept path and a few tree dwellings surrounded them. He moved away from her, and she thought he might be going to visit a neighbor. Instead, he selected a medium-sized tree without a house in it and shoved it. Hard.

The tree shook, swaying the branches, leaves rained down around them in a torrent. Miranda burst into laughter, covering her head from the onslaught.

Govek was back at her side a moment later, smiling lightly, and holding out one of the crystalline leaves for her to see.

She gasped, taking it gently, but it wasn’t nearly as fragile as she thought. It felt like a leaf, was shaped like a leaf, but visually, it was like it was made of water. She could see her hands through it and her own blurry reflection on the outside.

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