Page 39 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“I did apologize.” Yerina sounded more like a child than a grown woman.

What Govek had ever seen in her, he would never know.

“Headman Gerald.” Govek’s father came forward as well. The headman tensed slightly and Govek knew why. Chief Ergoth’s face was flat, his eyes fiery.

He was still seething about Karthoc’s warriors being invited to trade.

“What is going on here?” Chief Ergoth asked cooly, and the hush over the crowd was instant. No one even whispered.

Headman Gerald had not lost his voice. “It was brought to my attention very recently that Yerina lied about Govek attacking her.”

Chief Ergoth gave Govek a sidelong look before saying, “Are you certain that your source for this is sound? You have proof of his innocence?”

That punch rocked right through Govek. He’d known his father had likely believed Yerina’s lies, but having that confirmed felt like fire in his belly. It burned away at his already fraying control.

Cool relief tucked around his arm and he looked down to find Miranda had wrapped him up, was stroking his hand. He worked a deep breath of crisp morning air into his lungs.

“Yerina admitted it to me herself.” Headman Gerald crossed his arms over his chest. “Yerina?”

The woman fidgeted. Puffing up her chest, her lip quivered, and her eyes filled with pretty, shimmering tears again. “I... only spoke a few mild untruths because I was a little angry. I thought it would force him to confront me, and we would make up. I never thought they would spread so much. You wouldn’t even come to the trade to talk to me, Govek. You just shut me out completely. What else was I supposed to do? I cared for you so much! I still do.”

She broke into pitying sobs and it made his stomach go sour. No natural tears could look that pretty.

And the truth of it all smacked him.

Fades be fucked. He really hadn’t done anything wrong. He hadn’t gone too far with her. He hadn’t hurt her or frightened her. It had all been manipulation—a way to keep him under her control.

But no longer.

“Now, child, please calm,” Chief Ergoth said soothingly, and each word grated against Govek. “Your apology is accepted. Please dry your tears.”

“Excuse me?” Miranda snapped and all eyes latched onto her. “I think it’s Govek’s choice whether he wants to forgive her.”

The way Chief Ergoth looked at Miranda made Govek’s blood go still.

“Quite right,” Headman Gerald said before Chief Ergoth could make a sound. “Govek, what can we do to make amends?”

Govek’s spine straightened. They wanted him to decide what to do? He had no idea, nor did he want such authority.

He looked to Miranda. “What say you? You were insulted as well.”

“I think that?—”

“I am still chief of this clan.”

All eyes fell on Ergoth and Govek found him still holding that rage-soaked fire behind his eyes. His face was a mask of pleasantry even as his words were clipped. “I am still chief of Rove Wood Clan, and this weighty matter should be decided by me.”

Govek blinked, thrown off by this sudden change from his father’s more congenial and controlled mannerisms.

Headman Gerald sighed heavily, clearly exhausted. “Of course, Chief Ergoth. What do you suggest then?”

“I believe the woman being forced to admit her wrongdoing here, in front of so many witnesses, is punishment enough. And I would not risk the peace between our peoples by suggesting anything more severe.”

“Oh my god,” Miranda said with a shake of her head and Ergoth made a low threatening sound that instantly had Govek’s claws extending.

But Miranda continued. “In addition, I think it’s reasonable to say she isn’t allowed at the trades until Govek says it’s all right. And she should be disallowed from having any contact with Govek.”

“That sounds more than fair,” Headman Gerald said quickly, looking truly relieved by the suggestion. “Robire? Please escort Yerina back to Oakwall.”

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