Page 58 of Bound

I’ve only briefly seen goblins in the arena, but they’redifferent up close. This one is as tall as I am, though it has to outweigh meby a hundred pounds. Like the little brownies who are so helpful, the goblinhas a head of scraggly, wiry hair. This one’s hair is black, and his leatheryskin has a distinctly green cast to it. His eyes are large as though he spendsmost of his time in the darkness. They’re pitch black and seem a little dead,reminding me of a snake’s eyes. His mouth is the largest feature on histriangular face. It’s filled with razor-sharp teeth. He wears only a smallanimal skin around his waist, and I find myself very grateful for the attemptat modesty.

“I love to eat sidhe,” the goblin grumbles, thewords tangling around his teeth. He scents the air with the holes in the middleof his face that seem to pass for nostrils. “And something else. You aren’t sidhe,girl.”

Cian tries to pull me behind him, but it seems like running.I read an awful lot, and running is a good way to get oneself chased down andeaten by a predator. There are times when boldness is called for. If I’m thequeen, then I should start acting like one. And maybe Beck’s name will come inhandy. Everyone seems to be afraid of him.

“I’m human, goblin,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “AndI’m Beckett and Cian Finn’s wife.”

The goblin does not look impressed. “So the boys finallyfound a mate, did they? I’m sure my king will be interested in that bit ofnews. Unfortunately for you, you brought the wrong brother to our camp, littlegirl. If you’re going to greet the goblins, you should have brought the warriorwith you. As it is, I’ll tell my king all about the brothers getting marriedand then me eating one of them.”

He looks ready to do it, too. His clawed hands twitchdangerously.

“I want you to run,” Cian whispers into my ear. “Run anddon’t look back.”

He’s so dramatic. The goblin, on the other hand, is a bigold bully. It’s time to gamble a little. I walk straight up to the goblin anduse my thumb and middle finger to thwack him on his sensitive-lookingnostrils. According to many a nature documentary, it works on sharks. Thegoblin howls and takes two steps back.

“There. Now we’re starting to understand each other.” I lookat the small flask on his hip. “Is that what I think it is?”

The goblin pulls the flask out. He holds it in one hand ashe protects his nose with the other. He isn’t so scary now. “It is mine. Youwould not like it. Sidhe do not like our liquors.”

I stalk the goblin because I am so close to getting one ofthe things I want more than my next breath. “I told you before, I’m not sidhe.”

With a curious expression, he hands me the flask. “It isstrong, I warn you.”

I wipe the rim with the towel I placed on the basket ofcookies. I can’t be sure, but I suspect goblins are probably not the mosthygienic of creatures. It doesn’t matter once that smell hits me. Heavenlycoffee. It’s still warm. I tip the flask and drink it down in one long gulp. Itisn’t even as strong as an espresso.

“Strong, my ass,” I say with genuine relief. This is a pieceof home I’ve missed. “It isn’t strong, goblin, but it will do. I’m going toneed more. Take me to your leader or whoever the hell can negotiate a tradeagreement.”

The goblin’s face approximates a version of friendly. Hestill looks like he wants to eat me, but he’s obviously impressed as well. Helooks at Cian, who is openly gaping my way. “Have the Seelies finally found adecent queen?”

Cian walks forward and takes my hand once more. “Rememberthat she is the queen.”

The goblin scratches his belly and gestures around theforest. “I don’t think she’s the queen of much yet, sidhe.”

“She is my wife and my brother’s wife.” Cian seems muchsurer now. “That is all that matters. Beckett Finn might have lost his throne,but he did not lose his sword. Remember that, unless you want to feel it inyour back when he avenges her.”

But I’m feeling very sure now. I walk up to the goblin.“Beck won’t need to avenge me, Ci. Goblin Boy and I have an understanding.Don’t we?”

The goblin bows, but only slightly. “Yes, Your Highness. Ihave come to realize you are insane and vicious, and you can handle yourliquor. I respect that. Come. The chief will be interested in meeting you.”

Cian’s hand tightens around mine. He leans over to whisperin my ear. “He’s right about the insane part, my lover. I hope goblins likecookies or you might find yourself being eaten as a snack.”

I lean back to my nervous hubby. It’s time to give him areason to believe we’ll survive this experience. “Ci, I’m saying yes tonight.”

He gives me a short, hard kiss and then pulls me along tofollow the goblin. “Let’s get this over with, then. Tonight starts early, mylover, and I promise I’m the only thing eating you this day.” The goblin looksback at us. Cian’s face becomes gorgeously arrogant. “Lead on. I want to getthis over with. I’ve got better things to do with my day.”

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Cian

Three hours later, the chief of the goblin clan burpsand slaps me on the shoulder. He’s incredibly drunk. “Tell that brother ofyours we’re ready to negotiate.” It comes out in a low growl. The goblin’s eyesare watery but serious. His hand reaches out and tugs on my shirt. “But I haveto ask you to leave your queen at home. She is unreasonable.”

I want to laugh but I’m diplomatic enough to keep my facestraight. I look into the goblin chief’s eyes and try to convey a kinglypresence. “I can’t promise you anything. The queen is formidable, as you haveseen. I can only promise that you will get your ten dozen cookies tomorrow.”

“I’ll have them ready, damn it,” Meg says irritably.

She clutches the two sacks of coffee grounds she traded herbasket of cookies for. She’s jittery because she sat with the goblin chieftain,matching him shot for shot until the goblin finally fell out of his chair.

I’m honestly amazed at how much she can drink. Somewhere inthere, the goblin chief asked for her hand in marriage. I was forced to pull aknife to persuade the chief that I’m not willing to give up my claim on mywife.