Page 19 of Goblin Candy

CHAPTER13

GRIMSAL

The draxalican’s courtship of his little human is quite enchanting. I think Candy and I spend more time watching their antics than we do carving smiling faces into our pumpkins. They really end up being quite hideous—our pumpkins, that is, because the couple remains as adorable as ever—but neither of us have the heart to leave them behind. Instead, we load them into the car to await us before returning to the fair in high spirits when we see that Lyrax and Lottie have continued on without us. Although they were entertaining to watch with their subtle, sweet flirtations, I am quite pleased for them. If the draxalican is smart, he won’t let a prize like that escape his web.

As for the human male, Kyle, I’m grateful that we haven’t run into him again. My good humor was evaporating fast in our brief encounter, and I do not know what I wouldn’t have done if he had placed a hand on her. Well, not quite—because I know that I would have donesomethingthat he wouldn’t have enjoyed.

With the smell of sweets in the autumn air and screams coming from the haunted house as we approach, I’m suddenly feeling very festive. It’s almost a shame that I’m not one of those employed to scare those entering. I did have fun playing such a role in the library. I certainly would enjoy a repeat experience that would not doubt be infinitely more satisfying with its scale and the goblin-devised thrills. And it wouldn’t be difficult to join in. I know that all I would need to do is ask and I would be offered a position.

In fact, the conductor who organizes and leads this haunted house is just there within the shadows of the entrance. I feel the weight of his gaze more than I see him, but I can sense his curiosity and expectation. If I were not engaged in the hunt, I certainly would take him up on it as would any goblin worth his or her bones. A good scare rouses many appetites and satisfies others. There is nothing like being the source of a good thrill.

The only thing that reins in my enthusiasm is the fact that I’m here with my mate and the importance of the hunt. The atmosphere of the haunted house is tantalizing, but not enough to distract me from the safety of my female and our courtship. I lean closer to Candy and dip my head to acknowledge the conductor, who becomes more visible the closer we move up in the line. He is grizzled and more gray than green with his age, but his pale yellow eyes narrow at Candy before returning to me with a broad grin. It stretches across his face, displaying teeth far more chiseled with his age, and he returns my nod before retreating once more.

“What was all that?” Candy asks, huddling closer to me.I had already begun to instinctively wrap my tail around her waist at the brush of her skin against mine when I startle slightly at her words.

“I hadn’t realized you noticed,” I whisper back as we inch a few more steps forward.

Afterall, there is no reason to alert the entire line to goblin business.

Her lips quirk, and she gives me an amused look from the corner of her eye. “Hard not to notice when I can’t keep myself from looking at you every two minutes.”

I grin and can’t help but preen a little as I brush at my tunic and straighten it. “Of course not. And it just shows what good taste you have. Iamirresistible.”

She looks at me askance, smiling despite her attempt to press them into a disapproving line. “I don’t know whether to be impressed by your self-confidence or worry about rivals.”

“A rival to whom?” I ask, blinking at her in shock. Curling my fingers around hers, I lift her hand to my lips and press a soft kiss to it. “Certainly not you. You would have to be mad to think any female could come close enough to your perfection to be deemed even a contender against your charms.”

Candy laughs, though she shakes her head at me and rolls her eyes as she leans into me. “That’s a little too much.”

“But true nevertheless,” I murmur as I tip my head down, allowing her soft, fragrant hair to brush my nose.

She chuckles at my response, but I don’t take it to heart. Humans understand little of the working of fae hearts, and this is my first time witnessing such behavior. Thankfully, my experience is far easier than the hurdles my unicorn friend went through.

“You still aren’t getting out of it,” she whispers into my arm. “Who was that?”

And she is far too perceptive. A perfect goblin mate, even if her curiosity is inconvenient at this time.

“Recall,” I murmur in a low voice, “that I made mention of goblins running this haunted house of yours?” I feel her nod against my arm. “Anything run by goblins is organized by a conductor who is chosen for his suitability to lead the goblin crew. That was him.”

“What did he want?” Her warm breath fans my arm with her question and I work hard to hold back the shiver that races through me.

I glance around and note that no one in line seems to be giving us any particular attention. Couples are absorbed with each other, and families have plenty of their own distractions. It is good enough considering that this is not necessarily top-secret information—it just could make humans less inclined to entertain our amusements. My kindred would not appreciate it if they were no longer welcome due to goblin etiquette.

“Goblins enjoy playing on fear,” I whisper. “We are not as some species who consume the energy to survive, but culturally, we see fear as a celebration of life that we call fraiili. The two are intertwined quite intimately, and are therefore a part of our most important interactions.”

Candy peers at me, her lips pinching slightly, and nods. “A little strange, but I can appreciate that. The life-affirming connection is something we recognize as well.”

I nod, relieved that she understands. “Exactly. Your kind shares some of these unique cultural traits with goblins, which I think is something that could establish close connections between our species and those among yours who enjoy the nature of fear. In any case, because of the fraiili, it is a big part of our social norms and etiquette.”

She tips her head as she considers me. “You mean that, just because you’re here, he was inviting you to join in with his experienced crew simply as a matter of politeness?”

Well, she doesn’t have to look so incredulous.

“I do have decades of experience frightening mortals. Fairies and goblins are not so dependent on portals for transporting ourselves between realms, so I’m hardly untested.”

Her eyebrows rise at my words, her lips curling with amusement. “I didn’t mean to prick your ego, but I’m not surprised that you don’t lack experience given your performance at the library…butthere’s still a difference between scaring a person and making it into a fun performance for a larger number of people. One that will be enjoyable to your audience.”

“Perhaps it’s a good thing that I declined. This is far busier than your library, and I may not have the temperament. Especially if any male dared to make an advance on you,” I add as we step into the dim entryway. “I think he would get far more fear than he came anticipating.” I reach over and squeeze her hand where it rests on my arm, hoping that my words haven’t alarmed her. “Besides, I would much rather experience this with you.”

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