Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

GOVEK

V iravia rose. “Who could that?—”

“Maythra,” Govek said, and Viravia’s expression went dark.

She muttered. “I’ll get rid of her.”

Govek moved closer to Miranda so he couldn’t be seen as Viravia opened the door. “Maythra, hello. You already brought food by earlier. I don’t need this.”

The scent of barley and fish wafted from the door.

“Yes, well, I wanted to make sure you’re eating enough. Tavggol’s son won’t be healthy if you don’t eat properly.”

“I told you already, I’m fine.”

“How can we be sure our next chief is hale if you do not eat what I provide?”

“Wellia has assured me I’m healthy.”

“Pah, that youngling.”

“She’s very experienced under her mate’s guidance, or are you saying that Hovget isn’t knowledgeable enough?”

“Of course, I’m not saying that. Here, just take it.” There was jostling as Maythra handed over the bowl of fish soup. Viravia began to close the door when Maythra said, “You have a guest?”

Viravia was thrown off. As was Govek, since they had been silent and could not be seen from where Maythra stood behind the door. “I’m very tired. I’m not up for entertaining more visitors.”

Maythra scoffed and pushed Viravia’s door open fully, barely noticing that it knocked the soup bowl. Some of the liquid sloshed onto the floor. “I am not a visitor. I am mother to all in this clan. I am family.”

Govek rose to his feet just as Maythra’s lofty features fell. “What are you doing here?”

Miranda took Govek’s hand as he withheld his irritation.

“Come away from him, dear.” Maythra waved at Miranda as if she were a child in need of direction. “I want to check your condition without this male looming over you.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“Honestly, if something I did a few days ago offended you, I apologize. We were all rather out of sorts from the announcement, but it’s past us now. Our chief is handling it. There’s no reason to turn away from the clan who has embraced you out of fear this male might retaliate.”

“Wow.” Miranda snorted.

“Come here. Now. We can protect you.”

“Govek protects me just fine.” Miranda took Govek’s hand, and her touch eased the sharpest stings of his blooming anger.

And besides, he had no right to be angry with Maythra. Her fear for his mate was valid, and her reasons for despising him were sound.

But Miranda’s continued refusal caused the woman’s face to contort. Her nose scrunched as if she smelled something foul and her body puffed up like a hen readying to fight.

“Fades mercy, you were meant to come alone. But of course, this male could never let a woman he’s imprinted on out of his sight for a moment. You realize how dangerous he is? What must I do to convince you?”

Viravia stepped in front of the woman and herded her back toward the stoop. “Maythra, you invited her to my house?”

“I did what I had to.” Maythra tried to resist but the threat of getting soup sloshed onto her had her backing back out the door. “Look at her. She’s completely beguiled.”

“Govek would never hurt a woman, Maythra,” Viravia said sternly. “Certainly not one he feels strongly for.”

Maythra’s eyes flashed between them all for a moment before a vicious gleam settled and she planted her feet, refusing to go down the steps. “Is that why you’ve always trusted him? Because you knew his feelings for you would prevent him from doing you harm?”

“What?”

The tone of Miranda’s single word spiked a torrent of shivers down Govek’s spine.

“Maythra,” Viravia gasped. “That is not true.”

“Of course, it is true. And you must reciprocate, since you were the one that suggested he take you on as his mate.”

Viravia stammered. “Th-that—that was for the good of the clan . For my son to have a father figure in his life and to stop Govek from dying at Estwill. It was not due to anything between Govek and me.”

Maythra snorted. “A father figure like him ? There are far better models in Rove Wood. You could have had your pick, you know.”

Tightness gripped Govek’s chest.

Maythra stared hard at Miranda. “As could you, and you should choose another. Or do you truly want to be with a male that is so vile he?—”

“Leave, Maythra!” Viravia yelled, causing them all to jump at her volume. “Now. And take your wicked tongue and disgusting slop with you.”

“I won’t go. Not until I can ensure this new dear is safe .”

Viravia took the bowl Maythra had given her and shoved it into the woman’s chest. Stew splattered all over her dress and coated the stoop. Maythra staggered back, screeching as if she’d been burned though the meal was clearly cold. Her foot slid in the muck and she toppled, ass hitting the top step hard before she bumped her way down to the ground, shrieking with indignation but clearly unharmed as she got back to her feet.

“How dare you!” Maythra screamed, wiping the brown stew off the front of her gown. “You may be carrying the next heir, but I am the matriarch of this clan, and our chief will hear of this.”

Govek took this moment to quickly haul Miranda down the steps, intent on carrying her home. Thankfully Maythra was too busy wiping herself to notice as he passed her.

Fuck, he’d known coming into the clan might be a bad idea, but he hadn’t expected this.

Viravia laughed. “Oh Fades, are you actually calling yourself the matriarch out loud now? I thought you were delusional, and this proves it. Chief Ergoth doesn’t even acknowledge that you are together, let alone mated.”

“I will be the matriarch,” Maythra spat. “Chief Ergoth will announce it soon.”

“Chief Ergoth has lost his power, Maythra. He’s in no position to be creating imaginary titles. And if he truly intended to give you one, he would have done so a long time ago.”

“He will . You’ll see! He wants to atone for the wrong that was done to me and my poor Zayvor! To atone for the atrocity his own son caused!”

Govek’s gut twisted at the mention of Maythra’s lost mate.

Viravia stepped forward, careful not to slip in the stew, looming over Maythra with gleaming eyes. “If Ergoth wanted you for his mate, he would have taken you long ago. But he’s nowhere near foolish enough to make such a ghastly choice. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

“Holy shit.”

Govek snapped his gaze to his mate, finding her wide eyed. He tightened his grip on her and swung back around toward the forest. “Let’s go.”

“Miranda!” Maythra screamed after them, clearly trying to follow, but Govek was already through the brush. “That monster will show his true face in time! You’ll see! You’ll wish you had obeyed me!”

Neither of them looked back as Govek continued carrying Miranda toward their home. He trembled under the force of the truths that Maythra had screamed into the night.

“Let me down.”

Govek did so instantly, lowering Miranda to her feet. She turned away from him, heaving a sigh and muttered a dark curse under her breath.

“I... I did not want it to come out this way.” Every one of Maythra’s words spiraled through his mind, and he didn’t even know where to begin. Fuck, Miranda had been so determined to avoid the vile woman that he hadn’t prepared what to say.

Perhaps now was the time to tell Miranda the truth of his birth. Of the reasons Maythra, and many of the older members of the clan, despised him so greatly.

If not for him, Maythra’s mate, Zayvor, one of the greatest conjurers this clan had ever known, would not be dead. It would not be such a struggle to keep up with the production of healing tinctures. The blight in the Rove Woods may not have grown so swiftly. Some said that Zayvor, at the height of his power, had even been capable of holding back winter for half a moon . There was no doubt Rove Wood Clan would have been far more bountiful had Govek never been born. He swallowed down his pride and worked for the words to explain this atrocity to Miranda.

“So, how long were you going to let me hang out with Viravia before you told me you were supposed to become mated to her?”

What?

“For the love of—goddamn”—Miranda covered her eyes with her palms—“You really let me just... watch you two be all flirty.”

Govek was so thunderstruck he could not make a sound. Flirt with Viravia? With his brother’s mate ? What was she talking about?

“And to think I had to find out from fucking Maythra of all people.”

“Miranda, I was not—we were not?—”

“Don’t tell me I imagined it, Govek. I saw how you were looking at her!” Miranda skewered him with a glower that rocked him to the core. “Why are you even with me if you have her as an option? Is it because of your imprint on me? Does it force you to pick me when you really want her?”

“No, that’s not—Viravia is not an option. She is my brother’s widow. ”

“So, if she wasn’t , then you would have her?”

What the actual fuck? “No. Miranda, I?—”

“She’s about twenty times prettier than me and super nice, and damn it!” Miranda scrubbed at her eyes, turning her back to him, and took a few steps into the woods. “Damn it... even I like her. I can’t even blame you.”

“You... you think I would leave you? For Viravia ?” He could hardly grapple with the idea.

“Of course I do!” Miranda spat throwing up her hands. “And maybe not even her . There’s a whole world out there, Govek. A whole world of people who don’t have their brains all messed up and wouldn’t wake you up from screaming nightmares a million times a night. And who don’t feel like their chests are going to implode every time they think about the babies they—they?—”

Her eyes flooded even as she wiped them, and it tore at his chest. Govek moved toward her, endlessly grateful that she did not continue to back away. His control was in ribbons, and he wasn’t certain what he would do if she ran from him now.

“You think I might leave you . You think that someone else could be better suited for me than you? ” The imprint was absolutely raging . It blasted heat through his veins with every beat of his heart.

“Govek, we’ve only known each other for like a week. Of course, someone out there might be better suited for you.”

Govek choked, laughing half hysterically.

“What the heck?” Miranda said, though his misbegotten mirth had her tears drying as fury took their place. “Why are you laughing at this?”

“I apologize, Miranda. Truly. Because what you suggest is so completely ludicrous, I could not maintain my composure. And that of all things, this has you so upset.” It pleased him to no end. He truly was a beast.

“If that’s the case, then why were you looking at her like... like she had the fricking messiah in her belly?” Miranda was furious, and the only way he could think to quell it was with the truth.

“I was envisioning you with child.”

Miranda’s face went slack, and all the anger drained away. “ What? ”

“It was you who I was imagining. Carrying... my child.” Saying the words out loud caused a deep swell of yearning he could not explain. He’d never even considered having a son. Never thought himself worthy of such a thing. But now, with Miranda staring at him, her eyes blinking with wonder, he could not seem to shake the thought from his mind.

He stalked forward, feet and heart hammering. He got down on his knees in the icy dirt before his beautiful, foolish, misguided mate. “I would never be insane enough to even consider holding affection for a woman other than you, and imprints are created by romantic bonds. Not the other way around.”

“But... we didn’t have a romantic bond when you imprinted. You didn’t even know me.”

That was true, and he had no explanation for it, but he knew one very vital truth. “Yes, but with every moment I spend with you, your imprint grows stronger. Every laugh, every smile, every fucking glance you spare me. It makes me crave you.”

She gulped and fidgeted.

So, he dug deeper for more words. “Every meal you cook for me, working hard to please me even though I would literally eat rotting scraps if you served them. Every naughty joke that makes me burn and howl with mirth. Every gentle touch and easy word and fucking everything about you. I long for you, Miranda . Only you .”

Her fingers grazed his hair, sending a torrent of shivers down his spine as she gently scratched.

“Viravia is nothing compared to you. I would throw her into the wastes if you willed it.”

“Oh god,” Miranda said, her tone finally lightening. “Don’t do that.”

He sighed, relief slamming him. “And I vow to you she does not hold any affection for me, either.” Miranda looked dubious, so he rushed on. “And if she does, then I will squash it out. I will never speak another word to her.”

“She’s the mother of your nephew.”

“I don’t give a shit.”

Miranda laughed, pressed her palm to her head. “God... this is such a mess.” His heart squeezed and then she finally— finally! —leaned down to embrace him, tucked his head into her chest and bathed him in her warmth. All the tension flowed out of him.

“I’m sorry I’m acting crazy. Viravia is so nice and... it’s just... I don’t share ,” she said into his scalp.

He pulled back from her and took her face in his hands. “It is not possible for me to be imprinted upon any other woman, Miranda. You are it for me.”

“You were imprinted on someone else before,” Miranda mumbled.

“She was a fucking speck of dust next to your glory.” He extended his fingers into her hair, splaying them out to cage her skull. She was his . He would never even glance at another woman for the remainder of his days. “ You are it for me .”

“All right,” Miranda finally relented. “Okay.”

Okay. He buried his face in her chest, surrounded himself in her sweet honey scent. Fuck, to think she’d been mad about something like this after all the horrors that were revealed tonight. The idea of losing him was what had her the most worried. He would ride the high of it for decades.

He would do anything to keep her safe and hale.

And that started with making peace with Oakwall.

“Come, Miranda, if we are going to go to the trade day after tomorrow, we will need plenty of rest.”

She smiled as he rose to his feet. “You know, I think the only thing that could go wrong now is someone preventing you from going to the trade at all.”

Fuck. She was right.

“Govek?” Miranda said warningly, clearly seeing the alarm on his face. “Is there someone who could stop you?”

He took a deep breath. “Let’s go home, Miranda. We’ll need to be prepared for tomorrow.”

“What’s tomorrow?” Miranda asked, allowing him to scoop her up.

“We’re going to see my father.”