Page 5 of Deadly Little Games (Four Ways to Fate #2)

5

We had just made it past the first goblin settlement when I spotted a tall figure on horseback further down the path.

I continued my approach until I was looking up at Gabriel. As much as I had been around him lately, I was still taken aback by the sheer size of him. “I’m beginning to think you just watch the gates all the time, waiting for me to arrive.”

He frowned down at me. His cream colored linen shirt left his impressive arms bare, the even brown tone of his skin contrasting nicely with the lighter fabric. He had pulled his black hair away from his face, with only a few strands falling forward to frame his dark eyes.

“You know,” I continued, “because you’re always out here to find me?”

“Mistral can sense when someone crosses the boundary.” He offered me his hand.

“That’s not really much of an explanation.” But I took his hand.

He lifted me onto his horse a little more gracefully than before, now that I was prepared for it. Once I was situated and his arm was around my waist, he turned the horse to ride back toward the Citadel.

I leaned into his warmth as he nudged the horse into a trot, my thin sweater not quite enough against the damp air of the Bogs.

“I’m glad you took my warning more seriously,” his voice rumbled in my ear.

“Oh no, I’m not staying permanently. I just want to speak with Mistral about what happened.”

His arm flexed around me. “He won’t be able to entertain you until later this evening.”

“Why not?”

He leaned closer to my ear as the horse picked up speed down a hill, pressing me tightly against his chest. “That is for him to say, if he so chooses.”

I let it go. If I had to wait, then I would wait. I let Gabriel hold me tightly as the cool air pushed my hair back from my face. I wondered if goblins ran hotter than humans, because he radiated warmth. I also wondered if our skin would glow if I gripped onto his bare arm.

Eventually we neared the Citadel, but Gabriel veered off onto a different path.

I gripped his arm without thinking, then quickly released it. “Where are we going?”

“We have several hours to wait. I will show you around.”

Excitement tickled up my spine. I was curious about the rest of the Citadel, but assumed I would never get to explore it. Not if I wanted to keep myself out of a cookpot. Our horse galloped down the narrow dirt road, past abandoned ruins and a few distant towers. Some of the towers were lit up, but too far for me to make out much else. A hint of woodsmoke hit my nostrils, making my stomach growl.

“Will there be food where we’re going?”

He slowed the horse to a walk as I spotted lanterns in the distance. “You’re a bottomless pit.”

I was going to argue that I had skipped dinner to make it out to the Bogs more quickly, but then the village came into view over a rise and I shut my mouth.

It was different from the villages closer to the gates, where most of the homes were ramshackle and made of wood and other scraps. Here the homes were gray stone with lovely stained glass. Lights from within shone in a multitude of colors.

Gabriel guided our horse between the homes, stopping before a large tavern. The open double doors released the conversation and laughter emanating from within. The smell of baking bread and some sort of roasting meat made my mouth water.

Beyond the lights of the village I could see only trees and darkness. “Just how far do the Bogs go?”

Gabriel slipped down from the horse, then lifted the reins over its head to tie to a wooden post. “Many of our people came over during the shift. Our lands reach far beyond the border of the city.”

I looked around the glowing village, thinking of the elven palace. The shift had happened long before I was born, before the barriers existed. Celestials had shown peoples from other realms to this one. And in some cases, hundreds came across. But the magic of earth was different. They didn’t have enough to get back. That was how the myth of the Realm Breaker came about. Those who were trapped claimed a celestial used a sword to cut away the old paths.

Some of the oldest creatures still hated celestials because of it, but we didn’t see them often. They stayed deep within their own realms, which I was realizing were a lot larger than I could have imagined. And now… maybe they had been right. Maybe a celestial had trapped them all here.

Gabriel gripped my waist and lifted me down. I held onto his shoulders, meeting his eyes for a moment, but he quickly looked away. He released me to lead the way into the tavern.

I followed, hesitant at first, but I forgot about everything else as wonderful scents enveloped me.

Most of the goblins seated around the circular wooden tables looked more human like Gabriel, while a few others were more twisted with varying hues of skin and hair. Some of them eyed us curiously, but no one protested as we took an empty table and Gabriel gestured to the barkeep. The goblin came out from behind the bar, wiping a clean glass with a rag held in nimble purple fingers. His eyes were a darker shade of purple, and wary as he looked at Gabriel.

“Supper,” Gabriel said, “and two pints of wildflower mead.”

Seeming relieved, the goblin bowed and scurried away, his rough-spun brown shirt flaring out behind him.

I was content to let Gabriel brood while we waited for our meals, because there was plenty for me to look at. Light fixtures made of cut glass hung from the ceiling, casting a glittering display across the dimly lit room. I wasn’t sure if they burned oil, or if they were actually powered by electricity, which didn’t seem possible this deep in the Bogs. I thought it more likely that they were powered by magic, or something else of goblin design.

Our food arrived. It looked like the goblin version of pot-roast with steamed potatoes and carrots, and a dark brown gravy. It smelled delicious, though I doubted it was as good as Gabriel’s cooking.

I peered dubiously at the amber liquid in our glasses. If it was as strong as the alcohol I’d had with Mistral…

Gabriel smirked. “I thought something a little lighter might suit you better.”

My shoulders slumped with relief, and I took the glass in hand. The mead had a strong floral scent, and the sweetness of honey. I took a sip and relaxed. Even if it was a little strong, I doubted Gabriel would leave me in a ditch.

He held his glass near his mouth, but didn’t drink. “Tell me what happened with the elves.”

I took another sip and lifted my brow. “What took you so long to ask?”

“I thought you might volunteer the information willingly.”

Shaking my head, I lifted my fork and speared a small potato, then stuck it into my messenger bag. Ringo had been quiet, but the potato was quickly snatched from my fork. Chuckling, I speared another one for myself. “The meeting went well, though it wasn’t quite what I expected. When I heard the king offered me his protection, I thought he wanted something from me.”

Gabriel lowered his glass, his jaw agape. “King Francis offered you his protection?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but only because Elena asked him to. This was all her scheme to have me meet with their court wizard, Crispin.”

His nose wrinkled at the mention of Crispin. “Though I know you do not heed any of my warnings, you would do well to exercise caution where Crispin is concerned. You cannot trust him.”

I lifted my glass in acknowledgment. “Yeah, but you don’t think I can trust anyone.” I took a long swill. I hadn’t realized just how tense I was until I finally started to relax.

He stabbed his fork into his meat. “What else?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. I’m going back tomorrow. He’s going to help me figure out the finer mechanics of realm travel. He did it himself, you know.”

“That is not a good idea.”

I tilted my head and smiled. “Can you guess what I’m thinking now?”

He glowered. “That I don’t think anything is a good idea?”

I laughed. “Finally, you’re catching on.”

I set my glass aside to cut into my meat. It definitely wasn’t as good as anything Gabriel would make, but it warmed my empty stomach, which was good enough. I washed it down with more of the wildflower mead, and offered Ringo another potato.

Gabriel watched me eat, occasionally picking at his own food. Finally, he asked, “What does Sebastian think of you meeting with Crispin?”

I finished my drink and set the glass on the table, then shrugged. “I haven’t decided how much I want to tell him about my time in Emerald Heights. But he’s practical. I think if Crispin can help him get what he wants, then he’ll be all for it.”

“And what he wants is to turn your mother in for the bounty?”

“He doesn’t care about that, at least that’s what he says. He just wants the… object.”

He set his glass aside and leaned forward, his dark eyes boring into mine. “The same object that Mistral wishes to acquire.”

“That’s the one,” I said a little sarcastically.

Before I realized what was happening, the barkeep took our empty glasses and replaced them with two full ones.

“So you will give it to the devil?” Gabriel pressed.

I glanced at a few goblins looking our way, then leaned forward and lowered my voice. “Look, I don’t know what’s going to happen with the object, but if Crispin can help me learn to realm jump, maybe I can help Mistral without it.”

His dark eyes scrutinized me, but he let it drop. He reached out for his filled glass and took a long swill.

Feeling a little uncomfortable with his scrutiny, I did the same.

Gabriel’s expression softened as he watched me. “You’re going to be drunk.”

I shrugged. “It’s been a while since I could let my guard down.”

I could tell my words surprised him.

“But I’m safe with you, right?” I pressed. “You’re so large, you could crush any enemies beneath your feet.”

He glared at me, but as he lifted his glass to his lips, he muttered, “Yes, you’re safe with me.”

I barely felt the cold as we rode away from the village. I barely felt any of my troubles at all. Here, I was safe. At least for now.

I was tired enough to go to sleep, but at the same time the scent of rain and the horse’s hooves pounding beneath us exhilarated me. As much as I wanted to discuss everything with Mistral, I didn’t want the moment to end.

But still, I sat straighter as the horse finally slowed near the open gate, my eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of Mistral. I gasped as I spotted him. He looked like he’d been hit by a truck—metaphorically speaking.

Gabriel slipped from the saddle, then helped me down. I rushed toward Mistral huddling in the shadows of the wild shrubs, pushing away thoughts that maybe something had happened to him because of me. Because of the stupid game surrounding my mother.

I sensed Gabriel at my back as I reached the other goblin. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Mistral stood straighter, though it seemed to take great effort. “Nothing to concern yourself with. But I’m glad you came. We need to talk.”

“But—”

Gabriel gripped my shoulder. “Inside.”

I looked back at him, but his expression was unreadable. I felt a little shiver in my messenger bag, Ringo, uncomfortable with the tension.

Turning my gaze to Mistral, I nodded.

He led the way inside, and as we ascended the first set of stairs, I could see just how bone-achingly weary he was. I also noticed fresh mud on his boots and the hem of his trousers. More streaks of mud decorated his bare forearms where he had rolled up the sleeves of his midnight blue shirt.

I glanced back at Gabriel again as we reached the top of the stairs, but he only motioned me forward. We ended up in the sitting room where I had made my first bargain with Mistral.

As soon as Gabriel shut the door behind us, I turned to put both goblins in my sight. “Okay, what in the hells happened? Why are you two acting like someone died?” I narrowed my attention to Mistral. “And why do you look like you’re about to keel over?”

Mistral walked toward the two chairs near the currently dormant fireplace, then slumped into one. He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers, and the flames flared to life. His hand fell limply into his lap, and he leaned heavily against the cushions.

Gabriel gestured for me to take the other seat.

I gave him an indignant look, making it clear that I didn’t appreciate no one explaining things to me. But seeing how miserable Mistral appeared, I crossed the room and took the other seat.

He had closed his eyes, but opened them as I sat, the piercing gray orbs observing me closely. “Gabriel informed me about your magic reacting to Sebastian.” He gave Gabriel a sidelong glance. “ And to him.”

I squirmed in my seat. I owed Mistral nothing, but it was still uncomfortable discussing making out with another man to one you had recently slept with. “Yeah, I’m not sure why it happens. Sebastian thinks it all started after you and I were together.”

Mistral’s brows lifted. “You told him?”

I shrugged. “He seemed to already know, and I had no reason to hide it.”

One corner of his mouth curled into a soft smile, as if it pleased him that I wasn’t trying to hide our tryst. “I’m afraid Sebastian may be right. I didn’t realize it would happen. You must believe me.”

“Well unless our bargain has somehow been dismissed, I have no reason not to.”

He inclined his chin in acknowledgment.

“Gabriel told me you were changed because of it too,” I pressed. “That you gained new magic. So why do you look so awful?”

He leaned his head back, angling his face toward the warmth of the fire. “It is nothing to concern yourself with. I will be well by morning.”

“She visited the elves,” Gabriel cut in, changing the subject. “ Crispin wants to test her magic.”

Mistral sat up straighter, his eyes suddenly alert. “What does Crispin have to do with anything?”

I sat up straighter too. “Why are you guys saying his name like that? What’s the deal? He was a little intense, but he seemed nice enough.”

“His niceness is not the issue,” Mistral said tersely. “His blatant disregard for any and all consequences in his search for knowledge is the issue.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

Mistral pinched his brow. It seemed I was giving him a headache. “That he pursues magical discovery, and he does not care who gets hurt in the process. Even when it’s himself.”

Ringo had finally popped his head out of my bag to listen to us.

When Mistral seemed too tired to explain further, Gabriel stepped forward. “Crispin was the last elf to come from his realm. Only fifty or so years ago.”

I leaned forward in my seat. “He mentioned something about realm travel, but that’s not possible. No one has come over that recently, other than celestials.”

“He became trapped like all the rest of us,” Mistral muttered. “But he still believes he can find a way to return.”

I nodded along with his words. “Yeah, I got that, but that doesn’t explain why you both are so worried about him.”

Mistral met my eyes. “If he can use you for his own purposes, he will.”

“Yeah, but so will you.”

Neither of them seemed to have anything to say to that.

I looked at Mistral. “I’m not mad about it. I don’t know what you awakened within me, but if I can use it to find my mother, I will.”

Mistral lifted a brow. “And if Sebastian can awaken you further?”

I slumped back against my seat. I hadn’t really thought that far ahead.

“There is a way to test it,” Mistral continued, his eyes shifting to Gabriel.

I followed his gaze, but Gabriel was staring straight ahead. “You mean…” I trailed off, knowing exactly what he meant.

“A simple kiss will do,” Mistral added. “If you react in the same way you did to Sebastian, we may be able to learn more about what’s happening without his assistance.”

I had a feeling he was right. There had been magic when I touched Gabriel’s bare skin—not every time, but once was enough. “I can’t just go around kissing people trying to get more magic.”

Gabriel didn’t react to my words, but he still wasn’t meeting my eyes. Could I just stand up and kiss him? Hells, it wasn’t like he wasn’t attractive, though it was in a rugged and rather intimidating way.

I gripped the arms of my chair, part of me wanting to do it, but something held me in place. It just felt odd, to stand up and kiss someone with no preamble, especially in front of the other person I had been more than kissing.

When the silence had stretched on for too long, Gabriel lifted his chin. “I will prepare your bed chamber.” He quickly turned away before anything could be said.

Once the door shut behind him, Mistral gave me a knowing look. “We could easily learn just how far your magical reactions will go.”

I glared at him. “I think you and I both know how far they will go.”

“But we do not know if that is something simply between you and I, or if it can happen with others. You’re a fool for not testing things out before your time with Crispin.”

I turned my glare toward the fire and waved him off. “Well then I’m a fool. So what else is new?”