Page 19 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Rage flashed in Chief Ergoth’s eyes when he looked toward Miranda, and Govek felt the urge to hide her behind his back. “In Govek’s youth, when his magic and might were uncontrolled, we were forced to make difficult choices, but Govek has since recovered from the pain with no ill effects, correct?”

“Yes,” Govek said, desperate to quell Miranda’s worry. Far better to be bound then separated from her. “And it takes three or four days now before pain sets in. I have enough experience to stave it off.”

“Stave it off?” Miranda’s lip trembled slightly.

“All will be well, Miranda.” He looked to his father. “I am willing to be bound.”

“You see,” Ergoth said, addressing Sythcol. “Govek has consented. Sythcol, step forward.”

“You’ll be doing the same to Rogeth, Wolvc, and Maythra, right?” Miranda asked then, her voice clipped. “It’s only fair.”

Sythcol looked stricken but before he could answer Ergoth said. “It will not work on Maythra, as the binding was not created for humans, but Rogeth and Wolvc will receive it.”

His father’s quick agreement, along with the slight grin on his face, had Govek unsettled. But before he could puzzle over why his father was so pleased with this, Sythcol was before him.

Sythcol came to stand before Govek and placed his blackened hands forward. “Are you... ready, Govek?”

Fuck, Govek had not had this magic forced upon him since he was in his late teens, before his second growth cycle. Sythcol was so much smaller than him. Nearly a whole head.

It was no wonder the male had created the binding. Govek was so much larger than any other orcs in Rove Wood.

He was a danger to them all.

“I am ready,” Govek said low as he closed his eyes.

“Miranda, please stand away.”

He felt her touch leave him and before long a tremendous heat bloomed in his chest. It spiraled embers down his limbs, blistered through his fingers and toes, erupted waves of heat in his mind.

Govek was burning alive, and he clenched his teeth at the familiar sensation. He would not shout. He would not.

The pain slowly ebbed and Govek forced it to the back of his mind, separated it away. Used the practiced skills from his youth to recover his senses.

He rolled his shoulders. The heat was down to a tingling warmth, and with enough concentration, it would barely simmer.

At least for now.

“I trust you will let me know if it becomes too much,” Sythcol said and Govek’s brow rose at the male’s concern, but he nodded.

“Are you okay?” Miranda stroked his arm. The touch felt a bit raw but Govek would never refuse it.

“I am well,” he assured his woman. “Rest will do me good.”

“Then go, Govek,” Ergoth said. “Tomorrow is the trade, so we will hold a full judgment on this matter day after tomorrow. All who wish to take part should be here after the morning meal. Spread the word. Now let us go to Rogeth and Wolvc. We will bind them now. Agol, lead the way.”

Govek took Miranda’s arm and let her lead him out into the icy chill of the night. It helped to cool the fire in his blood, the thundering in his heart, the confusion in his mind.

Sythcol had argued against the binding. Even though he’d been the one to invent it. Govek shook his head.

“Are you really okay?” Miranda asked softly. “Does it hurt?”

He glanced down at his beautiful woman, tension easing. “I am well, Miranda. It will be fine.”

She nodded, soothed his arm. “Don’t worry, Govek, we will get justice for this.”

Govek tensed in the face of her conviction, unsettled and unsure how to respond.

“We will win.”

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