Page 63 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“You’re gonna take a sample of his blood right here?” Miranda asked, looking between them in shock.

“Yes,” Hovget shot her a confused look.

“But it’s not sterile.”

“Sterile?” Wellia asked, coming even closer to Miranda now. “What do you mean by that? And where are you from, Miranda? Everyone says you come from Estwill.”

“Oh, uh . . . that’s a long story . . .” Miranda glanced at Govek, her expression tight.

“I found her lost in the woods. And I consent to give you some blood. Make it quick. Karthoc wanted us at the announcement.”

Hovget uncorked his vial. “Hold still.” He extended his index claw. Govek balled his fists to hide his own, which had unsheathed at the sight. Hovget wasn’t a threat, but his worthless hands didn’t seem to understand that.

“Wait, you’re seriously just gonna cut him open right here?” Miranda shook her head.

“Yes,” Hovget muttered as Govek lifted his shirt. “Looks like it left a small scar. How did you heal it?”

“Miranda brought water from the Spring of the Fades.”

“Hmm. That should have healed it completely. There shouldn’t be a remaining scar,” Hovget said just before he slashed into Govek’s hide.

Govek did not flinch, but Miranda did. She sucked in a hard breath and stepped to his side, taking his arm, rubbing it as if to offer comfort.

Govek soaked it up like the desperate wretch he was.

“There,” Hovget said after collecting a full vial. “Done. Thank you.”

Govek shrugged. “Can you use it to trace which faction of the Waking Order it comes from?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to experiment. I might need more.”

“Fine.”

“It’s already scabbed over,” Miranda said, grazing her fingertips right near the wound. Govek worked not to shiver.

“That’s all then. Wellia, let’s return to the healing house before?—”

“Wait.” Miranda tightened her hold on his arm. “Do you have... Do you have anything that could recover lost memories?”

“Lost memories?” Wellia asked, tipping her head.

Hovget tucked the vial of blood into his coat. “You have lost some of your memories?”

“Yeah, uh...” She looked to Govek for help.

“She’s been through a trial. Some things that occurred during that trial have been lost to her mind.”

“This isn’t uncommon. Human minds are weaker and often strive to block unpleasant memories.”

Miranda tensed, eyes narrowing when Hovget called her weak. Govek stifled his amused grin.

“I might be able to dislodge some of it with my magic. It might be painful.”

“No,” Govek said just as Miranda agreed. He snapped his gaze to his mate. “He said it would hurt you, Miranda.”

“A little pain is worth remembering, Govek.”

“The pain would not linger afterward,” Hovget assured them. “Unless the memories recovered were incredibly painful.”

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