Chapter 22

After dinner, Sam had Eldridge show him what work needed to be done around the farm. Although the Goblyn was strong for his size, Sam knew he tired easily. Sam began working in the barn, moving a tower of hay bales up into the loft. The work was slow, but the burn of strain in his arms and legs felt welcome.

Sam had always enjoyed helping with any projects the couple needed during his visits. This time he was especially anxious to do as much as he could—because unbeknownst to Brunie and Eldridge, this was goodbye. Since he was planning to take the stone from Zaybris soon, this trip would mark the last time Sam would ever see them, until their souls descended to the Underworld.

He dropped a hay bale on the loft floor, trying not to dwell on how they would react if they knew what he was planning to do. That morning, Sam had received a letter from Queen Thema in the switch pouch confirming how she had sent word to Zaybris that a gift was forthcoming. A hot, prickly feeling of guilt crept across the back of Sam's neck, but he shook it off.

Glancing down to the floor below, he saw Eldridge humming as he ran a brush over his sturdy brown horse, Rainsilver. The Goblyn called to Sam. "It's getting late, lad. We can do the rest tomorrow."

"It's fine. I want to finish."

"Then stop for a break. Have a whiskey with me before I turn in."

"All right."

Sam descended the stairs and heard the clang of glasses on the small table that stood near the horse stall. The lower level was colder than the loft, and the night air felt invigorating.

Sam sat at the bench in front of the table, noticing how it wiggled more than he cared to see. Another chore to add to his list. Eldridge eased himself onto the bench opposite Sam, and they tapped their cups in an informal toast. The Goblyn took a sip, then fixed his sharp eyes on Sam.

"So, my lad," he began without preamble. "Were you in love with Selene before leaving to take her north? Or did it develop along the way?"

Sam's back went ramrod straight. His claws shot out, and shadows darted from the dark corners of the barn to swirl around him. The question was so unexpected, the ceramic cup he held was crushed to powder in his grip.

Eldridge smiled wryly. "There's no point in denying it. I knew from the moment I saw you help her into the carriage."

"You don't know anything," Sam snarled. His left leg jogged as he struggled to find his next words. Words to somehow make him feel less exposed and convince Eldridge how in control he was of the situation. He had to convince himself, too.

"Human women are known for their beauty. Is it wrong if I find her… pleasing?" Sam asked.

"Pleasing?" Eldridge snorted. "Tell me this, you've been in Aurelia for more than twenty years. You've encountered many females in that time, correct? Malkina, Nereid, Harpies, Dragos. Many of them quite beautiful. You've found some of them pleasing, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Of course, but I have never seen you look at another as you do Selene. You're smitten," he chuckled.

"I am not… "

The way Eldridge raised one bushy eyebrow made Sam ground his teeth. Were his feelings for her that obvious? A deep growl rumbled in Sam's chest. The sound climbed in his throat, then burst out past his lips as a sharp roar. It echoed through the barn, reverberating off the wooden walls and beams. Rainsilver flicked her ears.

Then all demonic bluster fled as Sam dropped his head in his hands. Slumping forward, he mumbled, "It's just a foolish infatuation."

Eldridge let the words hang in the air, as though to allow space for Sam to offer more. When met with silence, he said, "What is it about her that you like?"

Sam pulled his hands out of his hair and looked up at Eldridge. "I don't know. She's brave and clever. Beautiful. But there's something about her scent. It's like it… calls to me."

"How do you mean?"

"Her scent is like pomegranate. It's a berry that grows only in Gaia and the Underworld. I hadn't smelled that since I left home. It woke me up in the morning when she came through the portal before I even saw her. It affected me all day."

"Interesting. And as you have traveled? Did your feelings wane or—"

"They grow. Every day."

"I see." Eldridge stroked his chin. "Why are you trying so hard to fight this attraction?"

"Isn't it obvious? She's human."

"So? Brunie's people disapprove of her being with a male and a Goblyn, yet here we are."

Sam began to pace the barn floor. "That's different. Selene only wants to go home. It doesn't matter what my feelings for her are. We are soon going to part ways."

"But what if she had a reason to stay in Aurelia?"

"She's attached to another."

"Attachments can be broken," Eldridge said. "You don't think she might share your feelings?"

"No," Sam responded flatly.

"Why?"

"I probably disgust her as I do everyone of this realm." He gestured around his head and body. "My scars… my horns. She abhors violence. A few days ago, she asked me if I had ever killed anyone."

"Ah," Eldridge said. "But surely you've told her how we all met. Or she heard about it while at Thema's castle?"

Sam tugged at the laces of his right arm bracer. "No. She doesn't know, and I want it to stay that way."

"Samael, be reasonable—"

"I don't want her to see or hear about more violence from me," Sam interrupted. "Not after Iriswood."

"That's why you think she couldn't care for you?" Eldridge appeared thoughtful as he tapped the bottom of his cup against the table. "She may have gotten a fright at the time, but she's not afraid of you now. In fact, I'd venture to guess she's a bit fond of you."

"Don't mock me."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Eldridge said. Folding his hands across his belly, he explained, "It's all in the way she leans her body toward you when you're near. Twirls her hair when you speak. Moistens her lips. That's not how females act when disgusted. Females of any race." He waggled his eyebrows.

A bud of pleasure unfurled inside of Sam at Eldridge's assessment, but he quickly stomped it out. He turned to walk toward the horse stall. "Goblyn nonsense."

"I don't deal in nonsense," Eldridge said. The joking tone dropped from his voice as he asked, "Samael, if all barriers were gone, what is it that you would want with her?"

Sam moved toward Rainsilver and began to stroke the horse's mane. "I want you to tell me how to fight this. How can I stop feeling this way?"

"You're lying," Eldridge said sharply. He rose to stand in front of Sam, gently pushing away Rainsilver when she bent to nibble his ear. "What do you want? Do you just want to bed her once? Become her lover? Or more?"

Sam was about to claim he only wanted to be her lover, but paused, realizing that was only partially true. There was more to it. She was the bait he needed to escape Aurelia, but the idea of leaving her behind was becoming more and more troublesome. He hated to hear the desperation in his voice when he said, "I want to keep her. I don't want to ever leave her side."

Eldridge's face cracked into a grin. He started to beat his small wings, hovering up and down with excitement. "I knew it! I knew it!"

Sam watched the bobbing Goblyn. "What?" When Eldridge began to laugh, Sam grew angry. "You think this is amusing?"

"She's your mate! She's your mate, lad!"

"My mate? Country life has turned your wits dull. She's a human," Sam said dismissively, though his heart started to race. He didn"t want to admit he had already mistaken Selene for his mate in the ballroom. The disappointment at finding her human had been crushing.

"Hear me out. You were probably too small for your parents to have explained it to you, but I've read up on this. Demons don't always have the same ideas about fidelity as others, but they believe in fated mates. It's said that each demon is destined to find a consort, one to be held up above all others."

"I know of the legends," Sam snapped. "But if I had a fated mate, wouldn't she be in the Underworld?"

"Not necessarily. From what I've read, when a demon male encounters his mate, he will know her by scent. That scent will call him to protect and cherish her."

"This is just another story like the ones you used to tell me in the wagons," Sam retorted.

"Imagine it's true. What then?"

Sam fidgeted with Rainsilver's bridle hanging from a nearby hook. Damn that Goblyn! Always pushing with his breathe, focus, control nonsense. Pushing him to deny his baser urges, pushing him to master his instincts, pushing him to believe in delusions.

An image of Sam's mother giggling while his father whispered in her ear came to mind. He thought about how the demon king would gaze at his mate with utter devotion and seek her advice on royal matters. He had been too young to know the intricacies of the Underworld court, but he had always known his mother did not carry royal blood. Her wings were gray as a Goblyn's instead of coal black as other female demons, and her nature was not as ruthless. Yet she was considered queen—the one his father adored above all others. Could Selene be that for him?

If so, it could change everything.

"Fine. Let's say it's true. It's all true, and by fate or some act of great magic, she wants to be with me. What if… " he swallowed thickly. "What if I can't control my instincts? What if… when we are intimate… I lose control and hurt her? I can't hurt her. It would destroy me."

"You have to trust yourself. Ask her to tell you if she senses a change in you, or you become too rough. Go slow."

"But how would I even court her? I know nothing of females and what they want."

"It's not so hard. Offer her compliments, bring her gifts. Be kind. Listen to her. Respect her. Show her there's no one able to protect or love her better than you can."

When Sam didn't respond, Eldridge left his side to stack the drinkware on a tray. When that was done, he pulled the barn door open. A blast of cool air blew Sam's hair back.

Eldridge's voice was gentle. "You have to see where this might go, my boy. If fate is offering you a chance at happiness, you mustn't spurn it. Goodnight."