Page 83 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

Fades, he hoped the male never would.

“What do you mean wait?” She let out a dry laugh. “I don’t think I can do that, Govek. Every second we aren’t searching for my babies is another second they could be hurt. What if I’m too late? What if I’m too late to save them?”

Did she really think it was possible for her toddlers to have escaped like she did? It went against all logic and reason.

And yet, he didn’t have the energy nor the desire to fight her on it. He’d almost lost her moments ago. He could not risk losing her again. No matter how his gut screamed that this path would end in disaster.

If he lost her, he would lose everything.

Including his sanity.

He took deep, cleansing breaths. “Miranda, the Fades will ensure things play out exactly as they want them to. They hold the power here.”

“It’s hard for me, Govek,” she said, hugging herself and looking away. “The Fades are your gods, not mine.”

“But they saved you just the same.”

Her eyes shot to his, going wide.

“Can you trust them for now, Miranda?” he asked. “Just for a few days?”

She looked deep into his eyes and searched his face.

“Okay,” she said softly. “For now.”

He wanted to collapse from relief, but Miranda collapsed first, falling against his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. Embracing him. He closed his eyes and crushed her in return.

“Gosh, dang. Today has been...” Miranda murmured, her breath warming his cheek. “You’re right, Govek. We need a little break after all that.”

He let out a long breath.

“That fight with Karthoc was really intense. Are you okay?”

He certainly was not okay, but he was better now that they were alone. “I will be fine.”

“Yeah, you will.” Miranda stroked his head and down his back. “I’m gonna make sure you are.”

His breath caught.

“Ooh, did your heart just skip?”

Heat radiated in his cheeks, but he didn’t have the strength to push her away yet.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “So, I do have something else to hit you with.”

He tensed, bracing for a stinging slap. He should have known that the hit would come from her words instead.

“Were you seriously going to just haul me off into the woods without getting my say on the matter at all? Really? And be careful what you say here, because the seer totally gave all your plans about bolting away already.” She pushed back, leveling him with hard eyes.

He gulped. “I just... could not stand to be here.”

She pressed her finger into the middle of his chest, poking him with all her strength. He barely felt it. “Don’t you ever start making life-altering decisions like that without my input. Especially when you’re as wound up as a fish on a line.”

“I apologize, Miranda. I vow not to do anything like this again.”

“Good,” she muttered, wrapping her arms around his waist again. He curled around her, breathing her in.

“And another thing, for pity’s sake, next time you want to fight somebody as buff as your cousin, you gotta at least put me somewhere out of the way. Somewhere I can see. Maybe get some mud and find me a camera. You guys make speedos here?”

---