Page 144 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“I own you,” Ergoth managed past his shock. “This clan is mine. You are mine! Even your mate is mine! I will have it all again.”

Govek chuckled, honestly amused by Ergoth’s desperate final words. “Not anymore. The Fades have abandoned you and so too do I.”

And with that, Govek exited the tent.

His whole body felt light. His mind was bright.

The flap closed behind him.

He was free.

Miranda looked into his beaming face and grinned. She tugged him down for a kiss. Held him tight in her loving embrace. He lifted her from the ground, relishing the sweetness of her mouth, the feel of her hands in his hair, the love that she surrounded him with and that he gave back to her. Together. Eternally.

From this moment forward, they would thrive.

Epilogue

MIRANDA

“Miranda, if we don’t get ready, we really are going to be late.”

Winter had fallen in the Rove Woods. The snow was thick on the windowsill of their new home. The fire crackled warmly in the hearth.

Miranda’s heart was full in a way she never thought possible. Especially after a season of being in this new world. Three months and everything had changed.

And it would keep changing. Drastically.

“Are the boys up yet?” She sat up to stretch. Govek sat heavily on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair back. His eyes were soft in a way that made her heart flutter. “What time is it?”

“You and your morning math.” He braced his weight at the edge of the mattress so he could nuzzle her hair, nip at her ear. A kiss fluttered across her forehead before he captured her lips. She was in heaven right here in their warm cabin, surrounded by snow and the subtle smell of wood smoke and hard, burned bread.

“They are waiting for us, Miranda,” he said into her ear, making her shiver. His voice still spiked heat in her. “The boys are already at the hall.”

Her eyes bulged. “What? You let them go on ahead without us?”

“You were sleeping like the dead, Miranda.”

“What if they get lost? And what about the sink holes?” She pulled herself to the edge of the bed so she could get dressed. The wood floor felt like ice under her feet as she gathered up her clothes from the trunk at the foot of the bed.

“Sink holes have only opened up on the outskirts of the clan, Miranda. And they know their way to the hall. They’ve been living with us for two moons.” His tone was laced with both humor and exasperation.

“We adopted them so they’re our responsibility. It’s so cold and slippery outside. They could get hurt.”

“They’ve gone through much worse, Miranda,” he reminded her. “They can handle a single walk on a snowy day.”

“But they shouldn’t have to anymore!” She yanked her thick wool dress over her head and quickly put on a pair of trousers he’d made for her. “They have us now. We have an obligation to?—”

He yanked her back into his embrace and held her between his legs while he sat on the bed. His arms caged her, and he splayed his hand around the back of her head so she was forced to meet his eyes.

“Our sons are fine, Miranda. Young orcs need independence.”

“Yenvir is only two, Govek.”

“And Orin is seven, more than capable of protecting both of his younger brothers.”

The reminder that Govek had also been seven when he’d been banished from the clan hung between them.

She forced her rapid heartbeat to quiet. The transition into adoptive parenthood hadn’t been as smooth as she’d expected it to be, and surprisingly, Govek seemed more capable than she did most of the time.

---