The largest Goblin steps forward cautiously. He must be their leader. “You… lost?” he asks, his accent thick as though struggling to form the words of the common tongue.
“Lost?” I repeat, scandalized. “My good fellow, I have been chasing that wretched Elf all day.” I gesture dramatically toward the glowing triangle and point straight at Auren. “That one.”
Auren’s eyes are wide as the Goblins turn to look at him.
“So convenient that you’ve caught him,” I continue. “I must thank you.” I regard the Goblin leader a moment. “What is your name, kind sir?”
His head jerks back, obviously shocked by the way I addressed him. After a moment, he tilts up his chin and puffs his chest out with pride. “I Grathik.”
“Well, thank you, Grathik. You must be the leader here, correct?”
His chest swells even more as he gives me a firm nod. “I leader.”
A few of the others give him looks that say otherwise, but he points at Auren and then squints his eyes at me. “That Dark Elf King.”
“The Dark Elf King?” I give an incredulous laugh that makes the nearest Goblin jump. “Oh, he’s very convincing,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “That’s exactly what I thought too.”
I lean forward conspiratorially. “Turns out he’s nothing but a charming fraud who pretends to be the Dark Elf King to impress gullible women.” I gesture to myself. “And guess who his latest victim was.”
I shake my head. “And then he has the sheer audacity to leave me shortly after the wedding. And with a mountain of debt from his gambling.” I level my most convincing glare in my husband’s direction, looking for all the world like a woman scorned. “The charlatan.”
Inside the trap, Auren closes his eyes.
One of the soldiers coughs to cover a laugh, while the Goblins stare at me.
“You say… he not king?” one of them asks.
“If he were truly a king,” I say patiently, “do you think he would be skulking around these mountains tricking unsuspecting women into marriage?”
The Goblins exchange thoughtful looks, and one nods slowly. “Good point.”
“Precisely.”
I clasp my hands in satisfaction. “Well then, I must thank you for catching him.”
Grathik scratches his chin. “You still want him?”
“Of course.” I give him an incredulous look. “If I don’t bring him back home with me, I’ll be the one who has to pay for all his gambling debts.”
Most of the Goblins, including Grathik, look convinced, but there are still a few skeptics in the audience, judging by their narrow-eyed looks.
I stand, wincing slightly as the movement pulls at my ribs. “But first,” I add with a delicate wrinkle of my nose, “could someone fetch me a spot of tea?”
The Goblins blink.
“It has been a dreadful journey,” I explain. “My mount bolted several miles back and I’ve been walking ever since. I cannot imagine how anyone survives without refreshments.”
“No tea.” Grathik frowns. “Have ale though.”
I sigh. “Nevermind.” Then inspiration strikes. “Ah.” I clap my hands together. “Perhaps you fine gentlemen might escort me toyourking instead?”
They straighten immediately. “You know Goblin King?”
“Of course I do,” I say coolly. “My father made a bargain with him. I’m his promised one. At least… I was before I was trickedby this wretched Elf.” I wave a dismissive hand in Auren’s direction. “Which is part of the reason I needed to catch him. So I can legally annul our nuptials.”
“Annul… nuptials?” Grathik asks as he and the others frown in confusion. “What this mean?”
Obviously big words are a challenge to these creatures. Delicately, I clear my throat to explain. “I need to divorce him so I can be free to marry your king. And that,” I add sweetly, pointing toward Auren, “is exactly why I must be rid of the marriage bond I made with this rogue.”
