Page 18 of Goblin Candy

“Do I think what is a good idea, exactly?”

“Cavorting publicly with—you know—one ofthem,” he replies, dipping his head in Grimsal’s direction. “I understand looking for a bit of a good time while you get over your Halloween craziness, but everyone knows how quickly their kind gets possessive over women.”

I press a hand against my chest. “Tell me more. I didn’t realize that you possess in-depth knowledge on goblin culture.”

His lips tighten in a sneer. “Don’t do that. You know I hate it when you get sarcastic and talk to me like I’m an idiot.”

“If the shoe fits, parade around in it,” Grimsal interjects as his smile inches wider with a dangerous edge to it that Kyle fails to notice.

“No reason to get unpleasant, Candy,” Kyle continues, angling his body away from the goblin in a clear attempt to ignore him. “I know you aren’t happy about our little break, but you know I can’t handle this overboard Halloween crap. Everything will be back to normal here in a couple of weeks.”

“And this is something I should want?” I reply.

“Come on, Candy. We’re good together—don’t even pretend like you won’t pick up where we left off just like you have every other time.” Kyle chuckles as the woman at his side gasps.

I honestly don’t blame her. I even feel a little sorry for her since I know all too well just how charming Kyle can be. She should just go ahead and knee him. Something.

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit rude toyourdate, discussing this hypothetical reunion that’s not going to happen?” I nod toward the woman at his side.

“Stace knows all about you and that this is just casual. We’re just having fun.”

Her face reddens a little further, and I have the sneaking suspicion that she was a lot less clear on that fact than he made out.

Grimsal suddenly leans forward and takes a sniff, the motion so bold that my ex catches it and immediately recoils as if the goblin is considering putting him on the menu. I bite back a laugh as my date straightens with a smirk.

“Funny enough. If you were as important to my delectable Candy as you think you are, I would have scented you on her before and in her home. There’s so little trace of you there that I didn’t even recognize it until just now. You know what that tells me?” His teeth flash in a killer smile. “It tells me that you weren’t anything important enough to even leave the slightest imprint of presence over the course of your time with her.”

“What would you know?” Kyle blusters, his face flushing as he finally gives his full attention to Grimsal, making the goblin grin at him on the verge of obvious laughter despite the threat in his grin.

“Oh, I know plenty. Enough at least to tell me what you are not. I believe you know this as well. A pity you’re not a wise male, for a wise male would take this opportunity to leave.”

Stace pulls at Kyle’s arm as she stares at Grimsal with considerably more sense than Kyle possesses. “You know what? We should do just that. Come on, Kyle, let’s go,” she whispers. “You promised me a funnel cake.”

“Funnel cake?” Grimsal perks with interest, but I reach over and squeeze his hand before he gets distracted by the idea of a treat.

Kyle gives him a disgusted look but sighs and directs a strained smile down at Stace and nods. “Yeah, okay. You’re right. This guy isn’t worth my time.” He steps back but freezes as a large shadow looms up from behind him.

“My apologies, but am I intruding?” a soft voice queries. “I am looking for a Miss Charlotte who was to meet me here.”

As one, all eyes turn to the draxalican and Stace looks queasy as she gets an eyeful of the male who has joined us. Possessing a pale complexion that looks almost sallow in the dim light, Lyrax has a graceful beauty to him, even with two other small sets of dark eyes on his brow blinking down at us. He cocks his head and his long, sapphire blue hair spills to the side. With long, pointed ears and fine angular features, he looks like an elven prince—until just below the belly button where a vivid blue arachnid carapace continues, his pedipalps curled in against him, though twitching subtly as they draw in information with their fine hairs. Just below them I can see the spinnerets that allow draxalicans to weave their silks skillfully and with ease.

A sapphire leg inches forward, and Stace stumbles back, colliding with Kyle hard enough that he takes a step back as well.

“N… no, not at all,” Kyle stammers, his fingers curling around his date’s arm. “We were just going.”

“I see.” The draxalican frowns as the couple stumbles away before returning his attention to us with an air of resignation as if he’s just waiting to be disappointed which just tugs at my heartstrings. “I suppose that you were just leaving as well?”

“Not at all!” I say, pushing my blushing, nervous friend forward. “As it happens, I’m playing greeting committee tonight. So welcome, and let me say that you are quite an impressively large draxalican. And this woman right here, who’s also my best friend, is exactly who you’re looking for.”

She pales slightly, and I’m just waiting for the worst when she steps forward and offers her hand.

“So pleased to meet you at last, Lyrax. I’m Charlotte. But please call me Lottie,” she says with a note of true excitement and pleasure in her voice.

The draxalican immediately relaxes, a breathtaking smile stealing over his features as his eight legs lower his bulk so that he can comfortably take her hand in his. “I’m delighted, Lottie. If it’s not too forward, I would like to say that this is a culmination of months of fantasies that have somehow never done you justice.”

“Oh, same,” she breathes with a nervous giggle. “I’ve looked forward to our communications every night. If you don’t mind me saying… you’re a gorgeous shade of blue. It’s my favorite color.” A blush brightens her cheeks as a slow smile curls the male’s lips.

Just behind her, Grimsal meets my eye and gives me a smug smile that I return with a wink. Well, shit. I’ve never been gladder to be wrong in my life.

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