my brothers might. For this reason, I don’t agree with what you have sought to do. Though I acknowledge that you are correct in this likeness between our species, it doesn’t appeal to me but rather makes me abhor it all the more,” he growls. Drawing a small pouch from his belt, he tosses it on the table in front of our hostess. “For your trouble, female, so you feel sufficiently compensated for our room and meals,” he bites out.
Darting a look over at the goblin, he jerks his head to the food. “Pack it all up, Grimsal. We will take it with us and leave immediately.”
The goblin bobs his head cheerfully and sets to work, stuffing the food in a small sack that he seems to have pulled out of thin air. He whistles happily as he works, but the naga doesn’t move. She stares at us with a fiery loathing that settles on Eliph as the rest of the food is packed away.
Eliph meets her stare, his horn glowing faintly as he exerts his dominance. Although the naga isn’t cowed, she doesn’t make any move toward us as we pass with the food and our belongings. I can feel her eyes burning a hole through the back of my head as we beat a hasty retreat from the inn.
The moment we step outside, Eliph resumes his equine form, or fetch form as I’ve heard him call it, although I’m not certain what exactly those words allude to. He tosses his head impatiently before angling his neck to stare threateningly back at the inn. His horn pulses brighter, but then he dips his head and herds me forward with a gentle bop of his muzzle.
Let’s depart, Ahandral, his voice murmurs sweetly in my head.
“Okay, but what’s with the armed escort?” I ask, gesturing at his bulkier body and long spear of a horn.
Grimsal chuckles at my side, his eyes sparkling as he gives me a sidelong look.
“He will likely travel like this a lot, but especially as we leave the likes of this place. He’s stronger in his fetch form, and so when you are away from his well, he will feel more inclined to use it to protect you. That naga better not get any ideas. He would kill her easily as he is now.”
“Eliph?” I ask.
I don’t like to think of him as a cold-blooded killer. As far as I’ve seen, he has been incredibly sweet. Not cruel or violent. Although I saw the wreckage he made of the fairy, even then, he allowed the male to live despite threatening me.
The unicorn swings his head toward me, his velvety purple eyes meeting my gaze unflinchingly.
If she or any attacks us directly, I will do whatever is necessary to ensure your safety, Ahandral. And I will do it without apology or regret. You are the most important being in all of the two realms to me.
“Okay. But just if it’s really necessary, right? Like life-threatening. I don’t want someone’s death on my conscience.”
I feel a brush of warmth in my mind, like a caress that makes me yearn to feel it again, and a tinge of amusement that accompanies it.
You have a gentle soul, Ahandral. I feel doubly blessed for you.
“I don’t know about all of that,” I mutter, but I can’t help but feel the answering warmth of pleasure that builds in my chest.
I still swear I feel that naga’s eyes on us, even when the inn is far behind us, too far for me to even see if I cared to look back.
“She won’t follow us, will she?” I mutter nervously.
“Nah,” the goblin says happily at my side. “Nagas are fiercely territorial. She won’t follow us once we clear her territory. I can see her marks here on the trees. I’m estimating that we will be clear the moment we cross the ridge ahead. We humiliated her well enough that she won’t do more than lick her wounds and curse us soundly.” He chuckles.
The silky soft touch of Eliph’s muzzle brushes my arm.
Do not worry. I will remain alert.
I reach back and give his cheek a gentle pat, marveling at the unnatural velvet softness of his fur. He doesn’t seem to mind it. Nor when I slow so that I can stroke his neck or shoulder. He leans into every touch, and I find myself smiling with genuine pleasure after just a short while.
Amazing how easy it is to get used to this. And surprisingly touching