Page 73 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“I’m just . . . I’m just so tired, Govek.”

“Then let me cradle you. I will protect you through this, Miranda. Through this and everything else for the remainder of your days. You need not do anything you do not want to do, and I will throttle any who try to force your hand.”

He pulled her in tight and she rested more heavily against him, eyes swimming again. The tears dripped from her nose onto his perfect green skin. “My hero.”

He let out a little warm huff of contentment against the top of her head. “Things I can see. Your beautiful hair, the dying fire, the cups I forgot to wash...”

She huffed, eyes heavy as her mind sunk down into the kind of numbness only pure emotional exhaustion could bring. Govek continued to rumble. She went limp against this male she loved so much. She soaked up his comfort as she drifted into unconsciousness.

Miranda couldn’t be sure how long she dozed on him, but it was long enough that she felt almost ill from hunger when she awoke. She could taste the need for water at the back of her parched throat. She ignored it and stroked Govek’s arm.

He breathed deep, as if rousing, but didn’t lift his cheek from her scalp. Her eyes moved to the window to find that the sun was bright and high. The shadows cast by the trees were dark.

“Miranda.” He sat up so she could move and stroked her hair. “You are awake?”

“I think so.” Her voice was so raw it twinged with every syllable. “How long was I...?”

“A while,” he said as she adjusted so she could look at his face. Her eyes were blurry, and her nose stung. He tucked her hair behind her ears as she examined his furrowed brow and tight mouth. “You must be hungry now.”

She nodded. She touched her stomach and was surprised she didn’t find an empty pit. She hadn’t eaten anything yet today. She’d been too nervous before the judgment. “Yeah, and thirsty.”

“Do you feel . . . better?”

There was a lot of weight in that question. His brow knitted, and his face was a little pale as he waited for her answer.

The searing rage and the icy guilt still gripped her heart and tore through her guts, but it was duller now. Like the blunt end of a blade, instead of the sharp edge.

“No,” she whispered. “And yes. And... I don’t know.”

He let out a strangled sound that shot remorse through her. She reached out to cup his face in her hands. “I’m so sorry. I wish you hadn’t fallen in love with someone so broken. You deserve someone whole and perfect.”

His jaw trembled, and his hand came up to cup her chin firmly so she couldn’t look away from his gaze. “Don’t ever say something like that again. You are perfect for me, Miranda. In every way imaginable.”

Tears spilled from her eyes anew. “I-I’m sorry.”

His face contorted, and he yanked her in, tucked her face into his neck, tightened his arms around her. “Don’t be sorry, Miranda.”

“You should be happy. Celebrating. Not stuck here with me while I collapse.”

“There is no use in celebrating without you.” His mouth was hot and damp against her shoulder. “I would give up a million celebrations crafted by the Fades themselves to have you.”

“You’re too good for me.” Miranda closed her eyes again. She felt anchored, yet weightless. Fuzzy, but cool. Her muscles were sore from sleeping in an odd position.

“I believe it is the opposite way around, Miranda.” His warm breath fanned the top of her head. Her hair felt matted, and her skin was sticky.

But as disheveled as she was on the outside, Miranda could feel the storm inside begin to pass. She knew it would creep up on her again. Healing was not linear. But for now, for today, she’d reigned in her sanity.

As if he could sense it, Govek stroked her back, moving his calloused hands along her arms, shoulders, chest, as if he was brushing her off.

And damn, it felt good. It felt like he was wiping away her lingering tension, like he was pulling out the darkness to make room for light.

She let out a long sigh as his fingers splayed into her hair, along her scalp. “W-what are you doing?”

“Soothing,” he said. “Is it helping?”

She really didn’t deserve him. She opened her eyes to meet his. “Yes. It’s helping. I love you.”

His face flushed, and he leaned in. She met him halfway, eager for his kiss. Their lips met tenderly. Warmly. She clung to his chest.

---