that is extremely dangerous for her.”
A hot flush crawls up my neck because I can’t deny his observation. My mate’s own freedom from that cursed power of my species may save her in one way, but it leaves her vulnerable in another. I am worried that there may be other problems that I’m not even aware of that will materialize thanks to her resistance to my magic.
“And I thank you for that assistance,” I growl stiffly. “My mate’s indifference to the suggestive power of my magic seemed to have an unexpected drawback, but her strength and self-control do not make our bond flawed.”
Grimsal eyes narrow speculatively at me for a moment before widening in surprise.
“You like that she resists you!”
I stare at a distant cluster of vine-laden trees and sigh.
“I adore my female, but I like that she knows her own mind and is coming with me because she wants to, even if because of a small trick on my part. I am not carrying her off unwillingly.” I glare at a flower that sways in the breeze as if I could obliterate it from where I stand by the power of my frustration alone. “I find that the idea of her laying over my withers, completely lax under the influence of my magic, to be a disturbing one,” I admit.
A hard hand slaps my back, jarring me enough that my head snaps around, and I find myself looking at a broadly smiling face.
“And that there is exactly why I’ve now decided to hang around and help you out. Before, I was more concerned for the female… but now, I rather like you!”
“I’m not looking to add males to our family.” I growl defensively.
“Good, because you are not my type and frankly…I don’t share,” the goblin chuckles. “But as I am currently an unattached male, you have my undivided attention until we get her safely to your grove.”
I groan. That means he will be hanging around for days—maybe even weeks.
“Is it too late to recant?” I ask hopefully.
He waggles a thick, green finger at me, his smile widening.
“Nice try! Hold tight a moment and I will pop ahead a bit. This looks like it might be a trail cutting through here, which means we may get lucky enough to come across a tavern for travelers through these woods, or perhaps even a village,” he says distractedly as he glances along the forest floor with interest.
I don’t really see any kind of path that he speaks of. Natural game trails are common, but nothing jumps out at me as being intelligently made. I do, however, lean forward and whisper a sleeping spell over my mate. Although she is still unconscious, I know that the state is not a restful one. Encouraging her to sleep is a kindness, as is waiting to awaken her someplace comfortable and warm after everything she has recently endured.
Thankfully, Grimsal returns a short time later with news of a traveler’s inn and tavern nestled in the woods a couple hours away. Although I’m tempted to shorten our travel time by assuming my fetch form, I don’t wish to relinquish my mate to the goblin despite his claims of disinterest. Not only that, but if the worst should happen and Steph awakens, I don’t wish for her to be frightened waking astride my back as I race through the trees.
No. This may be the longer way of doing things, but I won’t take any chances. In any case, I will take the opportunity to enjoy holding my mate in my arms while I have her.
Chapter 13
Steph
At first, I’m pretty sure it’s all just a bad dream. I feel warm, and the comforting feeling of a thick quilt wrapped around me makes me want to drift back to sleep and forget all the strange dreams I’ve been having of unicorns and mates fated by magic. I snort a soft laugh into the blanket and burrow deeper as I inhale the odd, exotic floral scent of the bedding.
I don’t recall anything I own smelling like this. Not even my fabric softener.
I frown into the blanket and draw in another deep breath, trying to identify the scent. Perhaps Harriet came into my room at some point during the day and spilled something on my bed. The glow of the light on the other side of my eyelids, however, shifts too much to be my bedroom light. I… don’t think I’m home.
That realization makes me want to hide beneath the bedding. Whatever