“Yeah, Twobble?”
“Thanks,” he whispered.
And those two little words, barely more than a breath, wrapped around my heart tighter than any spell.
“I didn’t do a thing, Twobble.” I smiled at my little green friend. “You’ve done more for me than you could ever imagine.”
That was when I realized one of the reasons I was so drawn to Twobble. He reminded me of my daughter. She probably wouldn’t be thrilled at her age to learn her mom can see similarities between a goblin and her, but shoot. At this point, she probably wouldn’t be thrilled to find out her mom believed in goblins. I chuckled and shook my head as Twobble looked up at me.
“How so?” He looked genuinely surprised.
“You gave me confidence and the grace to make mistakes.”
We’d barely made it ten steps into the corridor before curiosity gnawed at me.
“You know,” I said, eyeing him sideways, “the Academy had a habit of catapulting you halfway to Stella’s compost heap whenever you got too close. How exactly did you… you know… not get flung this time?”
Twobble’s grin stretched wide, revealing a row of pointy teeth. “Ah. Nowthatis a tale of daring and strategy.”
I crossed my arms. “I’m listening.”
He squared up, already relishing the spotlight. “It started this morning. Well, after I finished my breakfast of two boiled eggs, four crackers, and a wedge of cheese that might’ve been...vintage. I topped it off with a few sugar cookies.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Vintage?”
“From a pantry raid. Your pantry,” he said proudly. “Extra flavor.”
“Charming,” I muttered. “But I never kept cheese in a pantry.”
“Explains the tartness. Anyway,” he pressed on, “I woke up feelin’ a little itchy in the toes, which every goblin worth theirsalt knows is a sign of imminent brilliance. Whenever you get an itch you can’t scratch, greatness is on the horizon.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Imminent brilliance. Of course.”
“So, I figured, what the heck? I missed you, Maeve.” His voice dipped softly, and his big eyes flicked toward mine, catching me off guard. “And I thought that maybe the old place had a change of heart. Stranger things have happened.”
A lump wedged itself in my throat. “You missed me, huh?”
“Yeah, well, don’t get mushy about it,” he grumbled, scratching behind his ear. “I just got used to your company, is all. You’re easy on the eyes, for a human. Good to chat with. You’re receptive.”
“Wow. Flattery from Twobble. Should I write this in the record book?”
“Youshould.”
I bit back a grin as he strutted a few paces ahead, basking in his theatrics.
“And you were willing to risk life and limb to come see me?”
An ironic smirk covered his features. “Well, partially. I was also more than incensed when I found out a fae had managed to enter through the doors, not me.” He folded his arms. “That’s insulting, to say the least.”
“It wasn’tallabout me then.” I laughed. “Your ego was a little bruised.”
“Not ego.” He scowled. “Just an inordinate amount of justice. I couldn’t fathom that the Academy would do that to me. And before I knew what was happening, it felt like a magnet pulling me here. It became an hour-long obsession. I had to find out.”
“I get it.” I nodded. “So you just… walked up the front steps?”
“Pfft. As if. I’m not a complete fool, Maeve,” he huffed. “I took the old goblin tunnel under the creek. Not the one you know about, but the third hatch past the crooked oak, if you must know. Fully expecting to get blasted back to Stonewick square the minute I poked my head out, mind you.”
I tilted my head. “But you didn’t?”
