Page 19 of The Goblin's Mine

My parents are both gaping and blinking, clearly struggling to process what I’ve said. Haven seems more with it, but she clearly has questions. Starting with the obvious.

“Why?”

“I met someone.”

My mom finally pulls it together. “You went spelunking for four days, found what you claim are goblins, and are now moving underground because…you met someone?” I can’t blame her incredulity. When you say it like that, it sounds insane.

“Mom, I get it. I know I sound like a lunatic. But it’s all true. There’s a species a humanoid non-humans living under the mountains, and my mate is one of them. His name is Killian.”

“We’re gonna need to see this for ourselves. Meet this Killian person,” Dad says.

“Uh, yeah…about that. The goblins are sort of xenophobic. They don’t want humans knowing they exist. They don’t even know I’m here, telling you about them. If I bring you to the settlement, they’ll want to kill you.”

Mom screeches and Dad frowns. Haven just chuckles.

“Uncle Bram, Aunt Caroline. I know how it sounds, but Natalie isn’t crazy. I’ve never told you, but I’m also in a relationship…with a man who isn’t human.”

Both sets of wide eyes turn to her. “What?”

She nods. “He’s not a goblin, though. He’s a kelpie. There are a lot of things living around Haven’s Hollow that aren’t human. I get that it’s a lot to take in, but you’ll get used to it. I’ll even introduce you to Wick sometime, if you want.”

Mom nods. “Yes. That would be lovely. But backing up for a moment to the part where Natalie has agoblin mate?”

“Yep. Turns out, this particular subspecies of goblinkin is very monogamous. When a male meets his mate, he knows it immediately. There’s even physical evidence of it. He knew the moment he saw me that I was his. And I knew it too, although it took me a bit to understand what I was feeling.” I turn to Haven. “I’m going to need your help with something.”

She nods. “Okay.”

“So, you know how I’ve been dabbling in making jewelry?” She nods again. “Well, I’m pretty good at it. I even ordered some supplies that should be here soon. Sabine said she’s interested in carrying my stuff at The Silver Serpent.”

“Honey, that’s great!” Mom beams at me.

“It is, but if I move in with the goblins, I can’t be coming and going to and from the surface. They wouldn’t tolerate the chance that I’d lead someone back to them, and I wouldn’t know how to answer questions about where I’m living. I need a go-between.Someone to take the jewelry to Sabine and deposit my checks for me.”

I can’t imagine I’ll need conventional money if I’m living underground, but it doesn’t hurt to have a savings account. Just in case.

“The goblins are miners,” I continue. “I spoke with their ruling council this morning, and they agreed that I can use some of the metal and gems they dig up to use in my jewelry. And then…I’ll somehow share the profits with them. Maybe…you could use some of the money I make to buy groceries I could bring them. They can basically only grow roots and mushrooms down there in the dark.”

“Sure,” Haven says. “Whatever you need me to do. We can work something out.”

“Natalie. Haven. You girls stop acting like this is normal. It’s one thing for Haven to have a partner who isn’t human. She didn’t give up her life and home for it! What Natalie is talking about is impossible,” my dad says.

“Dad, this is something I have to do. And I don’t think it’ll be forever. Once I convince the goblins that you’re trustworthy, I’m sure I’ll be able to talk them into some sort of visitation schedule. But that will only work if we keep this amongst ourselves. Well, and Griff and Aerin.”

Mom gets up and strides to the wet bar in the corner. “I need some wine.”

“Get me a beer while you’re at it?” Dad asks.

“Is this going well or not?” I whisper to Haven.

She shrugs. “Hard to say. But you’re an adult. If you’ve really met your mate and you want to be with him, then do it. Your parents will adapt.”

“I hope so,” I mutter. “So,” I say, louder. “I came to tell you all this, and to get some of my things. Clothes, jewelry supplies, that sort of stuff. I’m going back to the caves today.”

“At least stay for lunch,” Mom says. “Give us time to adjust.”

I smile at her. “I can do that.”

KILLIAN

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