Page 65 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Fuck, was he fated to either watch her suffer or have her leave? To choose between her agony and her abandonment?

Abandonment was worse. So much worse. He could not let her go.

“No.” Hovget’s clipped refusal cut the air as he stood.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Wellia asked softly.

“I’m fine,” Hovget assured her, patting her hand on his chest. “But I will not do that again. The pain you have, Miranda... it’s too deep for my skill. You will have to find someone else. I’m sorry.”

Miranda’s shoulders slumped even as Govek was awash with relief so potent it loosened and warmed his chest.

“How do you feel, Miranda?” Hovget asked, coming close to look at her eyes. Govek held her tight. “How is your head?”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. It only hurt for a second—er, I mean, a moment.”

Hovget hummed. “Perhaps, but even a moment more and there may have been permanent damage.”

Miranda sagged in Govek’s arms as he trembled. The damage could have been permanent?

“Thank you for trying.” Miranda said, resigned.

Hovget nodded and stepped away. “We must return to the healing house before going to the hall. Otherwise, we would walk with you.”

“It was good to meet you, Miranda,” Wellia said, following Hovget as he walked away. “I hope we have time to talk more later.”

“Yeah. Sure. I’ll see you later.”

Govek could not find his voice to offer farewells. The two healers walked away, and Miranda squiggled out of his grip.

“I guess the seer really is the only one who can recover my memories and help me figure out where my babies are,” Miranda said and tension instantly closed Govek’s throat. “Do you think he’ll be at the hall?”

Govek gulped. “Miranda, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Hovget just said you could have been permanently damaged.”

“Yeah, but he’s the healer, not the seer. You said that the seer is more powerful,” Miranda countered.

“He is but even he may not be powerful enough.”

“May not,” Miranda said. “So, there’s a chance that he is. I have to at least talk to him.”

“Miranda . . .” Govek’s voice came out tight, strained.

“I have to at least try, Govek,” Miranda said firmly. Each word cut deep, and he balled his fists. Her eyes narrowed on them before she met his gaze. “I’m going to try. If you don’t want to help me, that’s okay, I won’t force you. I can figure it out on my own.”

On her own?

Without him?

Fuck. Fuck.

He couldn’t lose her.

“The... seer might be at the hall,” Govek said quietly, holding out his hand to her. Desperate for her touch.

She took it without hesitation, gifting him with a smile. “All right, then. Let’s go find him.”

Chapter

Eleven

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