Page 26 of Goblin Candy

Grimsal’s tail tightens around my hips, hugging me tighter to him once more as he looks me over. “Not precisely. Fairies have an aphrodisiac spore that their body produces and deposits on their wings. I’m not entirely sure what it’s made of, but I do know that it can be quite effective in putting their victim to sleep or even inspiring lust, though the reaction varies among individuals. It takes them many months to produce enough to be effective, so they rarely waste it when it’s not time for the hunt.”

“And that’s what he’s doing. He’s hunting and was going to dust me?” I shiver with the realization of just how easily I could have become some fairy’s thrall. If it weren’t for Grimsal’s quick action, that is. “And he backed off because you ‘claimed’ me? Do you meanclaimedclaimed? Like the big C, or just a little c as in for the meantime?”

“I wasn’t aware that there was a little c,” he teases. “We will speak more of claiming later. For now, let’s get our scavenged goods to our cauldron. The witching hour established is drawing near, and we have a hunt to win.”

Which we do, by a wide margin. It seems that Grimsal’s innovative passion for hunting things, including grabbing an actual spider’s web from the bushes, put us far enough ahead that we won the chocolate boo trophy. A trophy that we promptly put to use the moment we get home as he enthusiastically smashes it into chunks upon which we feast while we indulge in a bit of Tim Burton fantasy.

Hours later and three movies in as we’re curled up in front of the television watching the Pumpkin King singing of the fun to come with the next Halloween, Grimsal rubs his jaw as he observes Jack victoriously taking back up his honors as the movie winds down to its end.

“I understand this Jack,” he murmurs unexpectedly. “As much as you can love certain parts of who and where you are, there is something that craves to experience something new that you’ve never imagined before.”

My heart aches at his words, but I swallow back the painful lump in my throat. “Yeah? I suppose so. People can want more to enrich their lives but sometimes forget that there is something at home that still means a lot to them. This world is probably as big and bright to you as Christmas was to Jack.”

His eyes slide over to me, and their brightness almost feels as if it is peering right through me. “You mistake me. It’s not new experiences that pull me as they once did. You are this ‘Christmas’ to me, Candy, and my Halloween. Simply put, you are my home. I love who I am and where I come from, but this right here and with you is my adventure and all that I want. I can bring all that I need here with me and not forget who I am to embrace and love you.”

I blow out a slow breath to steady myself and blink back tears. “So we are talking the big C then, huh?”

“The only C,” he affirms with a chuckle, his lips grazing mine. “Which you will soon discover. Tomorrow, my sweet,” he breathes against my lips, and then with a pop of energy that zings across my skin, he’s gone.

And I realize right there that he never needed the front door nor could I have ever caged him unwillingly if he hadn’t wanted to be there.

“Tomorrow,” I whisper as I hug myself with a giggle.

Tomorrow and the big C. Tomorrow is all Grimsal and Candy… forever, I hope.

CHAPTER17

GRIMSAL

The energy in the air is practically electric. The hunt. Although I’ve managed to ward off one interested fairy male, I’m not so foolish to believe I will be lucky a second or third time. Unfortunately, fairies are like ant colonies. If you see one, it can be guaranteed that an entire host of the hunt is in the area. I need to solidify my claim tonight and bind my mate to me before any other male gets any ideas.

More than that, I need Candy with a desperation that I would have merely laughed at in my youth—and in fact once did when elders described what mating is like.

It is not just a sexual need either, though I have that aplenty. No, I need her, that sweet, unrelenting female who can match me toe to toe and laugh with me when others seldom do. My dark butterfly with her love of frightening things—even keeping a pet spider. I could never part from her. To even try would be like severing one of my limbs or excising some vital organ. She is nothing short of pure, sweet necessity. I can do no other but claim her and join our hearts and spirits in the way that the gods have fashioned us and intended.

My skin shivers anew with anticipation. I’m eager to begin now, but I know that if I do it will disrupt the plans that Candy has for this evening. Even as the fairy hunt rides, tonight is the Halloween celebration that my mate has been looking forward to. While the conclusion of the hunt can come quickly, a mating pair is difficult to separate for at least a day or two afterward. That means waiting until after the party that she invited me to attend with her. As eager as I am, as every inch of me seems to tingle with restless energy, I’m looking forward to going with her. I even have my costume.

Grinning, I smooth out the pirate attire spread out over the hotel bed. I’ve seen enough movies in the middle of the night, during which I’ve been unable to sleep, to appreciate the similarity between the obsession of the pirate’s hunt for treasure and my own hunt for the most elusive and prized reward—a mate.

I turn to salute dear Jack who grins at me from the table in my room, his light bouncing with his power, casting shadows with his leering grin. Even he seems to be wishing me luck and with that I set out getting dressed.

The pants I chuck because I have zero skill when it comes to altering clothing if it’s anything more complicated than mending a tear, but the tunic, belt, and jacket fit me wonderfully. I admire myself in the mirror. I cut a fine figure, though goblins don’t grow facial hair like some species do and I feel rather bereft in lacking any kind of beard or even a roguish stubble. No matter. The hat completes the look as I set it on my head, taking care not to pinch my ears.

I set out for my mate’s house, portaling short distances as I’m able to along the now familiar route to her home. It’s truly a pity that my species is not made to portal longer distances within the same realm. It would certainly save time to be able to instantly appear wherever we want to, but that it makes my trek quicker is what’s most important.

I have no idea what my sweet Candy is dressed as tonight, so when she opens the door in a short, slinky red dress as if spun from the most beautiful of autumnal hues, I can’t help but to stare to the ripe, curvy places that it clings to along her hips, belly, and breasts. She is a true feast for my eyes. Even the adorable red horns on the band holding back her hair make her appear all the more like a vision of temptation if I understand the symbolism correctly.

“A true temptation,” I breathe aloud, and her smile widens.

“That’s definitely the idea,” she agrees with a smile as she steps out into the hall and closes the door behind her.

The jack-o’-lantern that had been hauled off with us for the scavenger hunt is sitting now just outside her apartment door with a little light flickering inside of it. Unlike my own grinning pumpkin, hers sparks with joy, brightening and banishing shadows. I spin a little magic to give her flame a little oomph, so that it extends throughout the night, before offering my arm to my mate.

“A success indeed then,” I murmur, scarcely able to take my eyes off her. I can barely manage to do so at the best of times, but with the full power of the hunt in the air, it’s affecting me far stronger than I anticipated.

I’m almost worried about this party now. If anyone comes between me and Candy… I don’t like to think of what I could possibly do. The tension eases from me, and without it the fear, as my mate loops her arm around mine and leans in close, her heat seeping into me.

“You look wonderful too. A goblin pirate… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more appropriate costume,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “And still completely unexpected. I approve.”

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