Page 92 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“I know,” he said, solid and unwavering. “I don’t either. But I am here. We are together. We will figure it out, side by side.”

His vow made so much of the tension in her chest ease. Her head lightened. Her lips quivered. “What do we do now?”

Govek was quiet a long moment. “Evythiken can figure it out on his own.”

Miranda went still at that. She pulled away to look him in the eyes. “What?”

“Evythiken is the seer in this. He’s the only one who can speak with the Fades.” Govek stroked his warm hands down her arms to clasp her own. “He doesn’t need you. You don’t have to contact him again.”

It was such a simple, straightforward response that Miranda found herself laughing. “What? But aren’t I supposed to do what the Fades command?”

Govek snorted. “Miranda, I know you well enough to be certain that you won’t follow any commands you don’t agree with. Even if they are delivered by the divine. You are far too stubborn and opinionated.”

Miranda chuckled wryly, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Wow, thanks.”

Govek cupped her face again. The gold in his green eyes glistened in the dappled light. “I love every one of your stubborn opinions, Miranda. I would gladly follow them right to my doom.”

“Oh god,” she laughed. “That shouldn’t be comforting. Why is that comforting?”

“Because you love me,” he said, making her laugh again at the arrogance smoothing his brow and curling his lips. “And because you know it means we are in this together. No matter the cost, Miranda, I will always be at your side.”

She crumbled and wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight, surrounded herself with his warmth and light. “I love you.”

“I love you, Miranda,” he whispered into her hair.

“Miranda?”

Miranda sat upright and found Viravia standing on her stoop just twenty or so feet away.

Man, Govek really picked a spot, didn’t he?

The woman took one look at Miranda’s tears. “Come in here, both of you.”

“Miranda!”

She looked the other way and saw Savili, Roenia, and Aralie quickly approaching. Roenia still had her baby in her arms.

A baby who’d had to see Earth’s horrors because of her. All those children in the hall had...

“I can take you home, if you prefer,” Govek assured quietly.

“No, I...” Miranda’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t how she wanted Earth to come up at all. But she supposed it was done now. And it was better not to run away. “It’s only going to be worse if I put it off.”

Govek nodded slowly and helped Miranda to her feet, dusting her off.

“C-come into Viravia’s house,” Miranda called to the pale women before looking at Viravia. “If that’s okay.”

“Of course, come, come.” Viravia waved them all inside. In a few moments, the door was shut firmly behind them and they were all huddled in the warm living room of the tree home. “What is going on? Is everything all right?”

Before anyone could answer Viravia, Savili threw her arms around Miranda in a tight hug.

Miranda stood as still as a boulder, eyes wide, mouth dry. “Uh... Savili?”

“Was your world really destroyed like that? With fire?”

Of all the questions Miranda expected, that wasn’t one of them.

Miranda’s throat closed up again, but she managed to say, “Y-yes.”

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