Page 115 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“Having sons.”

Her breath caught in her throat. Sons. Children.

He searched her face. “Is it too soon?”

She wrapped her arms around her stomach, “I... don’t know.” He waited, his expression so easy and unjudgmental that she was able to gather her thoughts. “I’ve always wanted them. Always. But...”

Guilt warred in her, churning her stomach. Logically, she knew there was nothing she could have done for her babies on Earth. She knew that. But...

“I... think I need more time to process. To heal. Is that okay, Govek? Will you wait for me?” She chewed her lip.

But she shouldn’t have even been worried because Govek’s expression softened in that way that always made her heart thunder and he reached out to pull her into his frame. He pressed his forehead to hers, let his warmth soak into her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close.

“I would wait an eternity for you, Miranda. My mate.”

“My mate,” she whispered back, and he hummed out a breath that was laced with such warmth and pleasure that it all but melted her. Then he slowly moved away.

And their foreheads stuck together.

“Oh god.” She laughed as they finally came apart. She rubbed at her sticky forehead. “We’re disgusting.” Boar blood, sweat, wine...

He chuckled and turned to dig around the bottom of the chest.

“What are you looking for?”

He pulled his arm out with a green bottle in hand. “This.”

“What is—hey!” She yipped as he poured the contents on top of her head. “What was that for?” Tingling prickles laced over her skin, and she scratched at her arms. “What the heck, Govek?”

He smirked at her, having poured the rest of the bottle onto his own head. Her eyes widened as his skin went from sticky and red from boar blood to smooth and clean. Even his hair looked fluffier, boasting bouncy looking waves.

“What is this?” She took the now empty bottle from his hand. “Cleaning magic?”

“Yes.” He sounded a little breathless. She glanced up to find him ogling her. His hands went into her hair, smoothed through the now unknotted locks. He tipped her face up to his view and breathed, “Fuck, Miranda. The Fades did me the most incredible service when they brought you to me.”

Her heart fluttered, and she kissed him again, sweeter this time. His lips were clean, and his taste was unfettered. She wanted to drink him up, but he broke away.

“We really will get caught here if we do not leave soon,” he grumbled, pulling another pair of pants out of the chest and judging the size. “And if it’s Sythcol who finds us, we’ll surely regret it. That tincture I wasted is very difficult to make. Takes him many moons to work up.”

“I mean, what else should it be used for if not cleaning off?”

“A jar that size is usually used to clean the entire hall.”

“Are you serious? Jeez, why did you use so much? How filthy was I?” She looked down at her skin and found it completely unmarred. She felt smooth and perfect. Like she’d just had a whole day of pampering at the spa.

“Once opened, it must be used quickly or it loses its effects. Enjoy being cleaner than you ever have been.” He grinned. “Because I plan to dirty you again very soon.”

She beamed. “Right now?”

He snorted. “Put on your clothes.”

“Fine, fine.”

They readied together, working in their easy tandem. The effortless nature of it brought her so much joy—a soul-deep contentment that radiated undertones of bliss as they pulled on shirts and pants and covered their bodies.

But their hearts were still on full display.

Govek looked damn good in these clothes. He could only get the bottom two buttons of the shirt closed, which left a generous view of his muscular chest, and the pants were so tight around his ass they must have been stitched by the gods themselves, otherwise they would have torn open already. She was tempted to demand he never wear properly fitting clothes again.

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