Page 17 of The Goblin's Mine

I swallow. It’s such a big commitment. But it’s what I want. What we both want. What weneed.

I look up at him, meeting his gaze. “Yes. I’ll stay. Assuming the fainne will allow it.”

He growls, and I feel the vibration in his chest. “They will. I’ll make sure of it.”

“If they do…do you think the council would consent to a few more humans knowing about your existence?”

Kill frowns. “What are you thinking?”

“We’re mates. We have to be together. I can’t even fathom being separated from you now, even though it’s been, what…three days?” I ponder that in my mind. How can someone fall madly in love in so short a time? Enough that they’re willing to change their whole life for it? It seems crazy, and yet…it’s happened.

“I’m willing to stay here with you. More than willing. I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.” The arm around me tightens as I say that, and I can’t help my grin. “I even have an idea of what I could do to help your clan. But I can’t just disappear—my family would be worried sick. And I can’t tell them I’m moving away, because what if I bump into them at some point. In the caves, or if I go to the surface? I’d have to tell them the truth. But we’re only talking four or five people. People that I trust with my life.”

My parents would have to know, of course. Griffin and Aerin too. And Haven. She’d appreciate my situation more than anyone, I think. But no one else. Those few would be enough.

Killian lifts his shoulder in a half-shrug. “Maybe. I don’t think it’s unreasonable, but the council isn’t always predictable. They won’t fight us on you living here, but anything more than that…it’s hard to say.”

“What about you? Would you be okay with me telling my family?”

He gives me a soft smile. “Natalie, I already told you. Anything you want that’s in my power to give…it’s yours. I’d be honored if you told your family that you’re mine.”

I poke him in the side. “Hey, you’re mine, too. This goes both ways.”

He looks at me with a glint in his eye. “Oh, is my mate the possessive type?”

I wouldn’t have thought so, but here we are. “You better believe it. Possessive and jealous. All those pretty female goblins better keep their hands off you.”

“Or what?” he asks, laughing.

“Well, first I’d make you stop wearing shirts, so everyone could see that you’re marked. And if that didn’t work…let’s just say it’s a good thing I brought a hunting knife with me.” I’m laughing too, now. The idea of me going up against one of these big goblin women is ludicrous. I’m strong, but I still think any one of them could crush me. But still, if I catch them flirting with him, I’ll think of something devious.

I bite my cheek, trying to stifle the giggles. “When do you talk to the faille?”

“Wetalk to the faille in the morning. Don’t be nervous. Everything will be fine.”

Will it, though? Everything has happened so fast. It’s not like I’ve had the time to earn their trust.

He curls his arm tighter around me. “Go back to sleep, Natalie. We’ll deal with it all tomorrow.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

NATALIE

Handlingthings with the faille was easier than I thought, mostly because Killian decided to keep secrets. Oh, he was honest about the mate bond—he showed everyone his mark. And I not only agreed to stay with the goblins, but offered a way to enhance their livelihood, which was a big point in my win column.

In the end, they were more than happy to welcome me to the clan, though the younger members, like Flynn and Sloane, were more enthusiastic than the older ones. I think they just want to see Kill happy and would have agreed to whatever he asked. Either way, it works in our favor.

Kill just chose not to mention the fact that I planned to tell my family about my situation.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask, once we’re deep in the corridors. He’s leading me back to the surface, so I can get some things and talk to my family. “What if they find out?”

He rubs the small of my back as he guides me along. “First of all, we’ll be very careful. It’s unlikely they’ll find out. And if theydo, it will simply prove our point. That you’ve told yourfamily about us and nothing happened. It will prove that they’re trustworthy humans and the faille will have to accept it.”

“Huh. That’s pretty solid logic.”

When we reach the mouth of the cave, Kill gives me a nudge. “I’ll be here waiting when you come back.”

“Okay.” I give him what I intend to be a quick kiss, but of course, he deepens it and makes it more. Eventually, I have to slip out of his arms before I bang him on the floor of the cave.

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