Page 12 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“We will return home, Miranda.” His tone left no room for argument.

But she argued anyway. “No. The hall.”

“You are ill. We need to get you back to where you can rest. Then I will fetch Hovget for you.”

“No.” Her tongue tasted awful. “That’s too long. We have to beat Maythra.”

If they even could. Maythra was probably already at the hall telling everyone that Govek was an uncontrollable monster. Saying he had come out of nowhere and attacked Wolvc for fun.

The vile woman would not get away with this.

She would have her justice even if she threw up the entire way there.

She couldn’t get justice for the ruin of Earth, but she could get it for this.

Is... is that what the seer had meant when he said this would spark her healing? If she got justice for what happened with Maythra, she could use the relief of that victory to help ease her grief long enough to dredge.

“Miranda.”

His tight voice brought her out of her head and into the woods. The darkness and stillness of the incoming winter swirled around her. “Let’s get to the hall. I’m fine.”

She wasn’t. He knew that, and so did she.

“But you’re hurting, Miranda.” His voice was a low rumble. His skin was fire against her fingertips. “You’re ill. I ask only that you consider logic. Your gown will still be tainted in the morning. Maythra’s tales will be told whether you confront the clan now or not.”

“Govek, if you don’t want to go to the hall, that’s fine, I understand. But I’m going,” she said firmly.

A muscle in his jaw ticked, his body went stiff as his fists balled. He wanted to fight her. She could read it all over his face.

But then he looked down and he sagged. “All right. I will go with you.”

“Thank you.” She exhaled with relief.

“Can I carry you there?”

“Absolutely you can.” She’d barely gotten the words out when he swung her up into his arms and began to walk through the woods. The warmth of his skin was so starkly contrasted against the chill of the night.

“Govek has his arms so far open it’s no wonder you fall into them at every opportunity.”

The seer was right about that. Govek was like a rock for her—stable, comforting, and calm. He helped her see reason when all she wanted to do was barrel headfirst into the unknown. He dragged her back to sanity whenever the horrors from Earth caught up with her.

“I think you’re too good for me,” she said into his neck.

He snorted with disbelief. “You must truly be delusional.”

They’d just made it to the path. The lamplight illuminated Govek’s features and dappled his green skin. The firm set of his jaw. The slight crook in his nose. The wind rustled the trees above, sending a rainfall of orange leaves around them.

“Thank you, Govek,” she said softly.

He stopped walking to search her face. “For calling you delusional?”

She chuckled. “For everything. You’ve done so much for me I’m gonna have to spend the rest of my life and probably a good portion of my afterlife paying you back.”

He sucked in a slight breath, his chest puffing out against her frame. She blinked as his face slacked and a smile played at his lips. “Do you mean that?”

Her heart began to hammer. Dang, he looked so good when he smiled. His happiness made the whole world light up. The torchlight backlit him, coloring up his dark green hair like a halo, illuminating his features, softening his eyes.

She leaned in to kiss him.

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