Page 13 of Deadly Little Games

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 feltthe 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. “Andto him.”

I squirmed in my seat. I owed Mistral nothing, but it was still uncomfortable discussing making out with another man to oneyou 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. “Crispinwants to test her magic.”

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