“Save the performance, brother. We aren’t here to compare our egos,” Xavier said, annoyed, as he stroked my hand.
And before Xavier and Sparrow could fight over which magical race was superior, the Veil shifted around us. We were no longer between two worlds, but in the middle of a market.
The smell of sweets and cooked apples lingered in the air. Pearly wagons, similar to the ones in the garden of Carnivalland, were traversing along the streets.
“Come buy, come buy,” men in the wildest clothes yelled, as some of them even held coins in their hands.
Xavier pulled my cloak tighter over my head and hugged my body close to his.
“Stay with me, and don’t eat anything they are offering you. Goblins give nothing away without a price,” Xavier warned, tucking me tightly against his chest, almost like he was afraid of something happening to me. As we wandered hand in hand, we came across different stands; some of them with fruits and wine, others with jewelry and the weirdest things I’ve ever seen. There was even a man offering to sell a dragon egg, although Sparrow had insisted that it was usual for goblins to use tricks and lies to get what they want.
Nathaniel was some steps ahead of us, his face buried deeply in a bouquet of roses. Sparrow had to gently tug him back before he would have bought every single flower on the market stand. The way Nathaniel lit up for something as simple as flowers made me smile. There was a softness about him that was so rare in this world. And Sparrow, usually so cocky and sharp-tongued, seemed so soft around him. A form of gentleness, almost like he was the only person grounding him.
I realized, with a slight pang of guilt, that I’d barely had time to get to know him. There had been too many distractions—first, Damien revealing that I was his mate, and then finding Malakai trapped beneath the Ancient Springs.
“We are here,” Sparrow said, and we all gazed up to a huge tree with an immense knothole in it, wide enough that morethan ten people could walk side by side through it. Behind the knothole, however, was nothing. It showed the same forest we found ourselves in already.
“The entry is only an illusion, don’t worry,” he added, before he took Nathaniel’s hand, vanishing through the knothole.
Xavier’s grip on my hand got stronger as we both followed them.
What I saw was probably one of the most mesmerizing things I have ever seen; different stands with flickering lights and lanterns were set up. People with all different skin colors, outfits and hair styles filled the streets.
This place right here looked like the ideal imaginary world. The air was filled with a sweet scent of exotic fruits and caramel. The twisted branches of the trees were adorned with shimmering trinkets and lights. The grass grew with glowing mushrooms, illuminating the pathways as twilight descended. Elves, goblins and magicians were selling all sorts of different things, from whimsical handcrafted jewelry to delicious treats. Although I didn’t see any people playing music, the laughter of everyone around us seemed to mingle with lively melodies. It was truly an enchanting place. I wished Malakai and Damien were here so we all could experience it together.
We stepped inside a strange-looking ship, its walls made entirely out of glass and huge changing rooms covered with silver shimmering silk curtains.
“This is where we get the Faerie Water? In a tailor shop?” Xavier asked skeptically as he looked around the room, my hand still tightly tucked in his.
“Relax, trust me brother. This isn’t just a tailor shop…” Sparrow said, brushing along the silky gowns, one shimmering more than the other.
“This place is only the front… some goblin is the owner of it and let’s just stay… he doesn’t only sell garments,” Sparrow stated,smirking.
“How do you know that?” Xavier asked, his eyes narrowing at his brother.
“Well, I’ve been here many times before…”
For the first time, Nathaniel seemed annoyed at Sparrow’s behavior, rolling his eyes. Before Xavier could question him any further, a beautiful man with short brown hair appeared from behind one of the silk curtains, his grey eyes glowing unnaturally.
Was this really a goblin man? He looked so human.
“You’ve brought friends this time, Sparrow? Why are you here?” he asked, annoyed. “I suppose it is not for a fitting...” His voice became serious.
Sparrow chuckled, his presence alluring as it was intimidating. Then I noticed how his usual blue eyes turned purple-green, and his ears started to show scales. He was using his siren powers, and it seemed to be completely imperceptible to the goblin man.
“My friends and I need a favor. We’re searching for Faerie Water… and I know you still owe me something for covering up your theft at Merilda’s, who I hope I didn’t forget to mention is also very close with oursiren queenLilith,” Sparrow voiced, stressing the last part. And I couldn’t help but wonder who exactly was Lilith?
The goblin man looked bewildered, his gaze wandering over each one of us before they came back to Sparrow.
“Follow me,” he said, opening the curtain.
Suddenly, the room started shifting from gowns and fabrics into something resembling the inside of a huge, ancient tree, with flickering green fireflies in globes as the only light source.
“Welcome to the Underway of Goblin Town.” The man took a seat, his eyes searching us all from head to toe. “So, you are searching the Faerie Water,” he stated, his eyes focusing now on Xavier.
“Why? Tell us Xavier, my prince…why do you think the Faerie Water is even worth risking your life?”
Xavier’s eyes narrowed… he knew the goblin man was playing with him.
