entire frame rigid beneath me as his lips pull back from some dangerous chompers that are even more lethal with his fangs visible. Horns, tail, and cloven hooves aside, there’s no mistaking his teeth for those of a horse.
Or the lion-like growl vibrating through him. Definitely not a horse.
“Just while we pass,” the goblin yelps as he dodges a vicious bite when Eliph snakes his head forward. “Once we are on the other side, it will be safe enough for her to walk with us guarding her. She can spend short jaunts riding while she grows accustomed to it.”
Eliph gives a disgruntled snort. His teeth are no longer bared, but his ears are flattened with obvious displeasure and he still looks like he’s contemplating skewering our goblin accomplice. As annoying as Grimsal can be, I can’t have that.
I loosen the fingers of one hand from his mane and stroke his neck gently. The flesh quivers under my touch, and he lifts his head once more in my direction.
“It’s not a bad idea,” I murmur. “I’m going to need some help getting across. There’s no getting around that. After that, it might be easier to acclimate bit by bit like he suggests.”
I do not like it, Eliph grunts unhappily, but if it will make you more comfortable, then I will tolerate his suggestion.
“Well, it’s not like you can hold me on your back without help, so I do appreciate the concession,” I reply, my lips twitching at Eliph’s disgusted snort.
It seems that my unicorn mate, despite not choosing me himself, is a mite possessive. All things considered, it’s wrong that I feel flattered by it. This may or may not be fate, and he’s too damn pretty for me to wholly trust yet… but it’s nice to have someone feel territorial about me. I’m going with it because I might as well get some pleasure out of this experience for however long it lasts.
I appreciate your understanding nature regarding my sufferance of that male, Eliph retorts wryly. Speaking of the goblin… Tell Grimsal to mount then and hurry about it.
“He says hurry up and get up here,” I relay and smirk a little at Grimsal’s cautious approach.
The goblin eyes the unicorn, probably because Eliph is watching him like a hawk. Once he notices that my mate isn’t about to lunge for him again now that he’s in biting range, he relaxes considerably and swings up behind me.
Eliph twitches at the added weight from the goblin but doesn’t otherwise react other than turning an ear toward us when Grimsal slides his arms around my waist.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” I whisper back at him. “There won’t be any repeat double riding after this if I can help it.”
“You wound me,” he sighs into my ear. “I guess I will just enjoy this little experience while I can. You are certainly a delight to hold onto—oof!” He wheezes as my elbow makes sharp contact with his gut. “Damn me, you are a mean thing,” he gasps with a chuckle.
“Behave, or I’ll show you just how mean I can be,” I retort. “And make sure you keep those arms exactly where they are. There better not be any wandering hands going on.”
Eliph huffs in agreement, tossing a dark look back at my co-rider before turning his beautiful purple eyes to me.
Well done, Ahandral, he praises, sending another warm burst shooting through me. And do not worry. This will be quick and done before you know it. Once I have the portal open, be prepared to brace yourself and hold tightly to me.
“No need to worry there,” I mutter. “I’ll probably be holding on to you so tight that I’ll pull some hairs with me when I finally let go.”
His laughter fills my mind as his warm muzzle brushes my leg.
That is acceptable.
“What is he saying?” Grimsal asks as Eliph takes a small prancing step, the goblin’s arms tightening around me perceptibly. “Hopefully nothing about skewering a goblin when we get to the other side. I swear upon my mother’s cauldron that I’ll behave!”
I chuckle at his worried tone, my heart warming unexpectedly at Eliph’s laughter joining me in my head.
“Nothing like that unless you don’t hold onto me tight,” I shoot back. “I’m going to hold on to him, and you’re supposed to keep me on his back as we pass through—that’s all. Although I can’t make any promises if you lose me or something while we’re moving through the portal.” The male’s left arm