Page 52 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“He . . . he would never let me.”

Chief Ergoth would never leave her behind. The babe in her belly was Tavggol’s only son. The last trace of his brother. His kin, who he loved with his every fiber.

“We will aid you in hiding.”

The words left Govek’s lips before he realized what he was saying. Miranda’s brows rose, clearly perturbed that he’d made this decision without consulting her.

And logic caught up with him then, too. Viravia was less than a moon from giving birth. The forest was relentless with incoming winter, and he had his own mate to care for.

And yet, this was Tavggol’s mate—a woman who had been endlessly kind to him. He knew not what horrors lay in her past, but he could not leave her to suffer and pretend she and the babe meant nothing to him.

Blessedly, Miranda gave him a nod, and he repeated. “You may flee with us for a time, and then once the clan is gone, we can decide where to go. If you want to travel with us to the mists or stay at Oakwall.”

“Are...” She looked to Miranda, gripping her hand. “Are you certain?”

“Yeah,” Miranda said. “We won’t abandon you here.”

“Oh Govek, Miranda.” Viravia’s eyes flooded with unshed tears all over again. “Thank you. Thank you.”

Govek nodded and Miranda’s hands fell away as Viravia stood and hugged her tight. Miranda rubbed her back somewhat awkwardly and promised once again that things would turn out all right.

“I-I’d better go.” Viravia finally pulled away from Miranda. “Thank you. Both of you. I promise, once things are more settled... I’ll... I’ll tell you everything.”

Viravia wouldn’t meet Govek’s eye as her hand stroked her stomach and Govek’s own gut twisted again. He balled his fists.

Had he made a mistake inviting Viravia along?

But the promise was done and, in the end, Govek knew the guilt of abandoning his brother’s widow would be far worse than whatever horrors she was running from.

“And,” Viravia said, meeting his eyes solidly. “I swear, I will do all I can to ensure the judgment tomorrow results in your favor.”

Govek blinked at the intensity in Viravia’s eyes, but she left without another word. Miranda all but collapsed into a chair.

“Oh my god. I’m freaking . . .”

Angry that he’d made this offer to Viravia without consulting her? Nervous for what was to come? Upset that their easy plans had been dashed?

“Curious!”

Curious? He shouldn’t have been surprised and yet his mate’s admission still brought lightness to his chest. Humor to his heart.

He kneeled before her and wrapped his arms around her stomach, pressed his face into her chest. She was so warm, and she scratched lightly at his hairline, sending shivers down his back.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Sometimes we gotta make decisions on the fly. And I was perfectly capable of negating your offer if I hadn’t wanted to go through with it. But...”

“But...” He looked up to meet her gaze.

“He’s your nephew, Govek,” Miranda said with a softness in her eyes that reminded him of her face when she was holding little Haysik. “And she’s your sister. Kinda.”

He buried his face in her chest again, right between her soft breasts. Beneath the clothes, he could smell the faint blood of the mark he’d given her.

She was his, and he was uncertain what he had done to deserve her.

“You think she’ll still tell us what’s going on with her after we help her?”

Govek snorted. “I could try to force it out of her if you want.”

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