Xavier insisted on accompanying his brother, Nathaniel, and I, to the market hall. I knew he couldn’t trust anyone else when it came to the protection of Carnivalland. Malakai and Damien, on the other hand, were less thrilled to stay behind. But Damien knew there were too many goblins connected to his father.
“I still think I should go as well,” Damien muttered, pressing soft kisses against my face. “But I’m afraid that my presence could endanger you…”
“That is exactly why you can’t come with us,” Xavier stated. “You draw too many eyes.”
Damien looked like he wanted to argue with him, but then his gaze drifted back to me. “It won’t take long, right?”
“I promise,” I said softly.
Before I could say anything else, Damien stepped forward and lifted me off the ground, brushing against my lips softly.
“When you come back,” he murmured against my mouth, “I want you to come to my room. It’s been too many days since we’ve been alone.” My heart stuttered at Damien’s comment. The way he just openly admitted to missing me made me feel so loved.
“Okay,” I replied softly, pressing a kiss on his scar. I loved kissing him there. He had seen it as a burden for too long, but it was my blessing. The reason he was able to save me, save his brother, save us.
Then Malakai moved closer, his soft wings brushing against my skin, causing a shiver to run down my entire body.
“Don’t talk with the goblins. Don’t fall for their tricks. Only get the Faerie Water, and then you’re back with us, again,” Malakai said, gently pressing his lips against each of my fingertips, a tender ritual that made my chest ache.
I nodded. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
He smiled. “I don’t want you to be careful. Be ruthless there. These are goblins, not noble men.”
Xavier’s hand found my back, as he pressed a soft kiss against my cheek. “We should leave now. It’s getting too late… my brother is already getting on a nerve.”
“If I really want to get on your nerves, then there are better options. I could dance with a feather boa around all the goblin men and women and seduce them with my beauty?” Sparrow offered, the amusement in his tone evident.
Xavier didn’t respond as he grabbed my waist, pulling me even tighter against him. With one last look over my shoulder, I waved goodbye to them, and we followed Sparrow and Nathaniel out of the castle.
The way to the market hall was longer than expected; we had to leave through the tunnels beneath the castle, and then go further west until we came across a forest with trees that seemed unreasonably close to us. It felt like someone was trying to play tricks with my perception.
Suddenly, our surroundings started changing around us. As we entered the forest, the trees were sparkling like some faeries had thrown moondust over them. Delicate wildflowers in hues of violets, golds, and blues peeked through the bushes, their sweetfragrances mingling in the cool, crisp air. Tiny, incandescent fireflies danced among the ferns. In the human world, I might have visited one or two beautiful forests, but nothing came close to this.
I felt excited… goblin markets had always been an enchanting idea. Something I had always dreamed of as a child, but was too far away in my fantasies.
“Do you remember what I said to you, Gwendolyn, at the Summer Masquerade Ball?” Xavier asked.
I looked up to him, although the cloak over my face was reducing my sight.
“Be aware of goblin men. You didn’t listen to me, and can you remember what happened?”
“Yes, when you made me come in the Halls of Illusions.”
“I meant that you drank faerie wine and let other men touch what is mine.”
“Oh.”
“Still nice to hear that my mouth on your pussy is your sweetest memory from that night.”
“Are Nathaniel and I interrupting the dirty thoughts you’re sharing with Gwendolyn in your head?” Sparrow asked, amused.
Xavier hissed and clapped Sparrow’s shoulder. “Don’t be jealous brother, it’ll come with Nathaniel when you least expect it…”
Sparrow grinned, taking Nathaniel’s hand, pressing a soft kiss on it. “You know… that as a siren… I can dosomuch more than that…”
Nathaniel blushed. “He means his magic.”
Sparrow chuckled at his boyfriend’s embarrassment, pressing a kiss on his forehead. “No, I mean ecstasy,” he replied with a wink, tossing a coin in his hand.
