Page 63 of My Salvation

Aiden stepped forward. “Foul ones?”

Gilheim opened the pouch at his waist and pulled out over a dozen necklaces.

Aiden took them and counted. “Fourteen?”

“They wear these to blend in with the forest,” Gilheim grinned wickedly. “They underestimated the hunting techniques of the goblins and the dangers of the Dark Forest.”

“Gilheim, you are badass!”

He looked hurt. “My ass is bad?”

The word ‘no’ was spoken around the room. The men eyed their mates with sidelong glances.

Meryn shook her head. “What that means is that it’s really, really cool that you can defeat so many enemies.”

Gilheim scratched the back of his head. “It wasn’t that hard, honestly.”

Aiden’s mouth dropped. “How?”

Gilheim clapped a hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “As you are a warrior and Meryn’s mate. I can show you the fighting techniques of the goblins. I would feel better knowing you can defend her.”

“I can defend her just fine!” Aiden refuted.

Brie half-shoved Aiden to one side. “Ignore him for the moment. I’d like to learn, please.”

Priest stood. “As would I.” Cas moved to stand next to her mate. She was not going to miss this training session.

Gilheim turned thoughtful. “I believe that the more who know how to fight the foul ones, the better. It would benefit everyone. I can show you the basics. Though I am unsure how much you can learn, you do not have the ears or nose of a goblin.” He looked around. “May I use that open space?” he asked, pointing to the area by the courtyard door.

The queen nodded. “By all means.”

Gilheim walked over to the space and closed his eyes. “You may attack.”

Aiden walked over, then hesitated. Looking back at Meryn, he seemed unsure if he should actually attack the goblin.

Cas could almost hear his indecision. ‘Should I hurt the goblin that my mate has befriended?’

“I can hear you breathing, mate of Eamon’s Daughter. If you do not swing, I will,” Gilheim said good-naturedly.

Aiden shook his head, pulled back, and let his arm go.

Gilheim easily took one step back. Reaching out with his fingertips, he was able to swat the punch away.

“Whoa!” Meryn breathed.

Brie, who was standing at the edge of the area, shook her head. “How did you know where his fist would be?”

Gilheim pointed to his pointed ears. “I could hear the air moving.”

“This is some monk-type shit,” Meryn whispered from her place next to Brie.

“Again,” Gilheim said, folding his hand forward in a gesturing motion.

Aiden calculated his steps, then, with as little movement as possible, tried for an uppercut.

Gilheim simply leaned back to avoid the punch. Throwing his weight backward, he flipped, catching Aiden under the chin in an arcing kick.

“That is so cool!” Meryn cheered, ignoring her mate on the ground.

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