Page 8 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

She took a deep breath. “And to get to the seer, we have to travel to your cousin’s forge. Govek... are we really going to rob your former clan for supplies?”

He went tense under her.

“Govek,” she said threateningly, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.

“All will be well, Miranda. I will remain at your side to protect you while we travel. I will remain at your side forallthat you do.”

Miranda shifted, guilt knotting in her gut. She owed Govek so much at this point and judging by what lay before them, she knew this was only the beginning. It would take her a lifetime to pay him back.

But Govek’s softened features and steady gait helped to soothe her turmoil into determination. Going to Baelrok meant she could find her babies and find out if they were here on Faeda.

Waiting for her to find them. Crying for help.

Her throat closed.

“We’re here,” Govek said, stopping at a section of the wall that didn’t appear any different from the others. Miranda adjusted the torch for a better look. “I will set you down. Stay behind me while I check.”

She nodded, breathless. Govek put both hands on the stone surface and though she couldn’t see the magic pooling off him, she knew what he did was working because a seam—the outline of a door—appeared in the rock face.

He pushed slightly, and it scraped open. The thick rock was a foot or more deep. It felt like he would never break through the darkness.

And then a slit of light glimmered, and the forest appeared.

Relief tumbled through her as a tiny sliver of sunlight fluttered across her face. She almost went to her knees.

There was no storm, no wind at all. The daylight was striking and vivid. Govek forced the door open a few more inches and opened his mouth, scenting the air.

Then he nodded, took her torch, and gestured her out into the light.

She scrambled, scraping her hands on the stone frame, and burst into the sunlit forest.

She breathed the clean, sweet air deep into her lungs so fast it made her dizzy. The trees were dazzling in colors—oranges, reds, and yellows. The ferns were bright green, the leaf barren bushes seemed lively with their sharp brown twigs jutting every which way. Even the harsh chill on her cheeks was welcome.

The door shut behind them with a loud crunch, and it disappeared into the rock hillside. There were patches of moss that grew over the top of the seam, hiding it completely.

Miranda tipped her head up to the sky, blue and flourishing in the sunlight. She wanted to laugh, to cry, to forget everything that had happened in that miserable mine.

And yet, not forget a single moment.

She turned to Govek, who was still standing stoically, watching her tensely. A smile tugged at her lips and only then did he relax.

“How am I going to repay you?” she asked, almost to herself, and Govek’s head tilted, his green eyes blinked, and he shifted.

“Just remain with me, Miranda.”

She raised her brows. “I owe you much more than that.” She sidled up to him. “And I want to stay with you. I’m so grateful?—”

She broke off when his expression softened. His mouth went wide in a smile. Her heart thundered in her chest. She would have to find a way to make him smile more often because—dang!—happiness looked good on him.

Miranda bridged the gap between them, took both his hands in hers, and pulled him down. “Thank you, Govek. Really.”

He hesitated and then bent, allowing her to kiss his forehead, his nose, his lips.

He tasted like the forest, rich and heady. Comfortable and strong. She trailed her hands up his arms to wrap around his neck, and he cupped both palms under her ass, lifting her off the ground. She beamed against his lips.

He shuddered and broke away and Miranda was overcome with the desire to teach him how to kiss properly.

“We can’t here,” he said. She huffed with disappointment, and he explained. “There are too many keen predators in the Rove Woods. Too many threats. I must stay alert to protect you.”

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