Page 13 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“There he is!”

Miranda whirled and found five orcs rushing toward them. All had masks of fury written on their green faces. Tall, tense, fists bunched as if ready to fight.

None of them had anywhere near the muscle Govek did, but the one in the lead had more than the others and Miranda recognized him by his strong jaw and steely eyes in a gut-clenching instant.

Agol. Wolvc’s father.

“Govek,” Agol snarled as soon as they were within hearing distance. Govek gripped Miranda tight and his claws slunk out against her dress. “You will come with us to the hall. Now.”

“This is about Wolvc attacking me, isn’t it?” She couldn’t imagine the guy was in very good condition right now. His jaw had been mangled.

But he’d deserved it.

“You attacked him,” Agol said so low and deadly it shot up Miranda’s back like lightning. “Maythra has told us everything. You will come with us now.”

Agol had a right to be furious, but Miranda still bristled. “She clearly left out some important details. Govek attacked because Wolvc was attacking me.”

One of the backup orcs scoffed loudly. “He was attacking you?”

“Yes,” Miranda said. “Both he and Rogeth drugged me with something while I was in the woods.”

“That isn’t what Maythra is saying,” Agol said.

“I’m sure,” Miranda said dryly. “What she’s saying is lies.”

One of the orcs she didn’t recognize snapped harshly, “Who are you to call our eldest woman a liar?”

Govek growled low and threatening.

“Unhand her!” Another orc stepped forward like he would try to take her by force. Govek’s growl turned to a snarl.

“Don’t you dare touch me!” Miranda glowered at the male and, surprisingly, he stopped. “I’ve been manhandled by enough orcs tonight.” She turned to Govek. “Let’s go, Govek. You can carry me all the way there, just like we planned.”

Govek’s face contorted, his throat worked, and his eyes flickered.

And then he nodded.

Miranda breathed a sigh of relief and stroked the back of Govek’s neck before looking at Agol. “All right, it’s settled. So, let’s go.”

Chapter

Five

GOVEK

“Wolvc, Rogeth, and Maythra came upon Govek attacking Miranda in the woods.”

Agol’s testimony rang through the hall and made Govek’s head roar. His skin blistered, and his claws dug deep into his palms.

The hall was deadly silent. The three long tables were filled with over a hundred Rove Wood orcs. All of whom kept their glares firmly on Govek. The roasting fires burned hot, heating the room to dizzying temperatures. And the crystalline leaves of the Great Rove Tree they were within reflected the scene below.

He was surrounded. There was no escape.

Miranda made a loud scoffing noise that drew the attention of most, but she seemed unperturbed by the skewering of the male eyes. Her hair was wild, her clothes were rumpled and damp, and there was a smudge of dirt on her forehead that Govek longed to wipe away.

She was breathtaking. Her eyes mirrored wisdom beyond her years. Her back was set straight with determination. She narrowed her sharp gaze on Agol.

“That is the truth my son and Rogeth told to me,” Agol said in the face of Miranda’s disbelief. He towered over her from where he stood atop Chief Ergoth’s wooden platform, but Miranda met his eyes nonetheless. “That is what Maythra said.”

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