The Goblin King's Mischief, page 8
I held the vial up to the light, the rosy-red liquid shimmering in the most pleasing of ways. I closed my hand around it and shut the lid of my trunk.
Walking with purpose, I crossed my bedroom and popped my head into my dressing room, where Eithne was still organizing.
“Have you unpacked my nightgowns yet, Eithne?”
She looked over at me. “Not all of them, my lady. But I did set one out on the bed for you already.”
I knew without looking she’d not set out the one I wanted. “Where are the rest?”
After Eithne gestured toward a trunk in the corner, I went to rummage through it. “I want you to do something for me, Eithne.” I didn’t look up from my search.
“Yes, my lady?”
“Please find Odilie and bring her here.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I smirked as my hands closed around the garment I was after. Gently, I pulled it from its fellows.
I could still recall what Chrysanthe had said to me when we’d found it in that Olympus market. I was hesitant to purchase it, but she’d convinced me. “It’s perfect. Which of the two of us was an attendant to Aphrodite? I know what I’m talking about. No man could resist such a thing.”
In shape, it was similar to my other nightgowns—long with belled sleeves at the elbow. But the fabric was a delicate white silk, luxurious on the skin with a cloudy transparency when held up to the right lighting. The neckline dropped in a still-modest V, and there was scalloped lace on all the hems.
I quickly changed into it and stood before the mirror in my dressing room. The white of the gown was enhanced by the dark waves of my hair, tumbling over my chest and shoulders. I was glad my mother had insisted I wash it the night before because it shined in the lamplight. My turquoise eyes, which usually leaned on the blue side, seemed greener somehow though still nothing close to the sea-glass green of a sidhe.
I wondered where Eithne had put my kohl; it would set off my eyes that much more. But when I heard someone enter my bedroom, I pushed away that desire and slipped a robe over my nightgown.
Returning to my bedroom, I was met by Eithne and Odilie.
“You asked for me, Your Majesty?” Odilie said.
“Yes,” I answered. “I want you to show me to the Goblin King’s bedchamber.”
Chapter
Seventeen
Eithne’s mouth fell open at my request of Odilie. “My lady…” she gasped.
I ignored her, focusing on the imp, who frowned. “I don’t know when the Goblin King will return to his chamber, Ma’am. You may be waiting quite a long time.”
Eithne stood up straighter, her piskie cheeks flushing. “It is not proper—”
“For me to go to my future husband’s bedroom?” I cut her off. It wasn’t like I didn’t know that. But Aodh had yet to call for me, and I needed to take the initiative if I wanted to get the desired result.
Eithne pressed her lips together, silencing her protests. She had leave to speak, but that didn’t mean I had to follow her advice.
“I will wait,” I told Odilie. I’ve waited over ten years already; a few hours can’t be worse than that.
Odilie dipped her head. “Very well, Ma’am.” With a lamp in hand, she turned on her heels and started down the hall. I left Eithne to unpack and worry over what I was about to do.
Odilie led me past the guest bedroom and the stairs we’d taken that afternoon.
I clicked my tongue when we entered an anteroom and saw another set of stairs—this one elaborately carved. He took me up the service stairs.
Through the anteroom, we came to a long gallery. It had a high ceiling with dark wooden walls on one side and windows on the other. Our steps echoed off the undecorated surfaces. Halfway down, a short hallway branched off.
“What’s down there?” I asked quietly, worried my voice would carry in such a large space.
She glanced over at where I’d indicated. “Oh, the dining room is on the left.”
“And on the right?”
“There’s nothing on the right, just the upper part of the grand hall.”
I nodded.
When we reached the other end of the gallery, I didn’t need to ask Odilie what rooms were around us. She seemed to understand I wanted to know.
She gestured ahead of us when we entered an anteroom. “That’s the king’s reception room, where he meets with important guests. There’s also a guest bedroom attached.”
Turning right, we entered a hallway with another set of service stairs on the left and a door on the right.
“This is another guest bedroom,” Odilie said.
I pursed my lips. For those guests the goblin king wants to keep close, I suppose.
Just like in the queen’s wing, the hallway ended in three doors.
“The King’s bedchamber is just ahead, Ma’am. Shall I leave the lamp for you? I don’t know if they’ve lit the king’s chambers yet.”
Taking the lamp she offered, I thanked her. With a wish I have a goodnight, Odilie said her goodbyes and headed for the service stairs.
I stood in the hallway, listening to the sounds of her footsteps retreat as I faced Aodh’s bedroom door.
How I found myself in that situation, I almost couldn’t fathom. I knew what I needed to do, but no matter how much Chrysanthe—a nymph well-versed in the art of seduction—had walked me through it, I still wasn’t sure I had the nerve.
Swallowing hard, I lifted my hand and knocked on the door before me; the sound seemed to echo throughout the entire house.
As expected, there was no answer.
I can do this. I’ve wanted this for so long. I’ll just have to take the lead.
I felt a mixture of relief and disappointment when I found the door unlocked. With a deep breath, I slipped into Aodh’s bedroom.
The space was dark, the only light coming from my lamp and the dim specks of stars out the far window.
What I could see of the room was a skeleton of my own. There was the same four-poster bed, the same settee, the same table and chairs—though they were all upholstered in red rather than yellow. The walls were painted cream with none of the decorations mine had. There was also no rug.
I frowned. There’s no way this is how it looked during the previous goblin king’s reign. This whole place is void of decoration and splendor. Given how much he seemed to like the finer things, I have a hard time believing he lived in a place like this.
Without thinking, I went about lighting the space, removing the chimney of my lamp to share the flame with other lamps and candles.
When all was done, I was pleased with the result. The room seemed much cozier than before.
But my smile faded as I stood awkwardly at the center of the space. How should I greet him? My eyes shifted to the bed, and I could feel my face heat. That’s too bold even for me.
Settling into a chair at the table near the window, I sat up straighter to present the most flattering lines.
I placed the rosy-red vial on the table and looked down at myself, biting my lip. I’d specifically worn my special nightgown, but now that I was there, I felt shy about it.
Clicking my tongue, I stood, removed my robe, and laid it on the settee at the foot of the bed before returning to my chair.
And then I waited.
The minutes ticked by as I looked around the space.
Aodh sleeps here. He’s slept in that bed for over five years now.
Warmth spread through me as I pictured him there, his limbs stretched out under the sheets. I wonder what kind of nightclothes he wears.
My heart thumped when I wondered if he wore nightclothes at all. I averted my eyes from the bed.
There weren’t many things in the room that could tell me anything about who he was now. I thought about looking in his dressing room. Surely, there would be clothes, a comb, something personal that belonged to him.
I mean, I’m here already. I might as well take a peek.
But just when I stood from my chair, I heard the doorknob rattle as it began to turn.
Chapter
Eighteen
Aodh’s eyebrows scrunched, and he tilted his head as his gaze landed on the robe I’d laid on the settee.
But then his dark eyes found me.
My heart drummed out an uneven rhythm as I stared at him in the intimate glow of the candles and lamps.
His hair appeared more red than usual, set off by the decor and the flame-light. His eyes seemed to swallow the light, and I couldn’t quite make out the secrets they hid.
I struggled to speak. Why did I think this was a good idea?
But as his gaze traveled down my body, his face flushed. I recalled the blush he wore in the past each time I’d kissed him, and that gave me courage.
“G-good evening, Your Majesty.”
He stepped fully into the room without a word.
“I know you were quite busy today, so I thought I would come to see you myself. I’ve brought you a gift, my wedding present to you.” I gestured toward the vial I’d brought from my room, which still sat on the table. “It’s nectar from Olympus, enough to cure any ailment or illness. I hope we can live long and healthy lives together.”
With every word I spoke, his blush deepened, and the response encouraged me. He’s just as nervous as I am. I needn’t have been so self-conscious. It’s Aodh after all.
But when he snatched up my robe and held it out to me, I looked more closely at his expression. His flushed skin wasn’t from arousal or embarrassment. He was angry.
“Put this on, and get out,” he said, his voice soft with barely restrained rage.
My stomach quivered, but I stood my ground. “I apologize if I’ve overstepped my bounds. But surely, you’d like for us to get to know each other better before we are wed.”
His eyes snapped to mine, and I flinched at his glare. “Tell me, Lady Melody. Are all humans as indecent as you are? Or am I just unlucky?”
Even if my mouth hadn’t gone too dry to respond, he didn’t give me the chance.
“Did you truly believe I would be pleased to have you appear before me in such a state uninvited? I am not looking for a broodmare. Have you no pride? No modesty? Do you believe this is how the goblin queen should conduct herself? I’m embarrassed for you and ashamed you are the person I find myself stuck with.”
Every unfeeling word was a stake in my heart. I trembled in shame and self-pity under his ruthless stare. I could feel tears welling up inside me.
“Get out of my sight, and do not appear before me again until I send for you.” He threw my robe toward me, and it fluttered to the floor a few feet away.
My knees wobbled as I moved to pick it up, and my hands shook so much I had trouble putting it on.
The only blessing I found in the exchange was that I managed to get out of the room before I burst into tears.
I ran down the hall, blindly following the path I’d taken earlier with conviction and hope.
It seemed that once the Goblin King had retired for the night, the lamps in his wing were extinguished. I was not yet familiar with the layout of the house. And though I made it down the hall unscathed, I ran into a table in the middle of the anteroom that led into the gallery.
The clatter of the table toppling over was followed by a crash of something breaking. Pain shot through me as I landed on the broken shards of whatever had adorned the table. I hissed and tried to examine my palms through the dark and my tears.
I didn’t know how long I sat sobbing at the pain in my hands and heart. Through my tears, I eventually saw a glowing blue orb floating toward me. My mind didn’t register the light at first, but as it morphed into a dog and licked my face, I realized Tadhg had found me.
For a moment, I cried even harder, fully releasing what I’d managed to hold back now in the presence of someone who cared for me. But when Tadhg whined in sympathy, I tried to calm myself.
It wouldn’t do to show up in front of Eithne hysterical. I already looked a mess and was injured. That would be hard enough to explain with a clear head.
I nuzzled Tadhg as best I could without touching him with my bloodied hands before rising to my feet.
The walk along the gallery was long, but at least I could see by the light of Tadhg’s glow.
Was Aodh always so unfeeling? Even if he didn’t want me there, he didn’t have to be so cruel.
Looking down at myself, my robe and nightgown smeared with blood from my cut hands, my mind went to a different place.
Maybe I misjudged him. I thought he wouldn’t mind the fact that I’m human. Or maybe I’m just not to his taste. I’m sure I was much prettier as a sidhe.
I’d thought under the circumstances I’d done remarkably well following Chrysanthe’s instructions. But perhaps seduction was too advanced a technique for someone as inexperienced as me. She’d told me it wasn’t that difficult—that once he felt it, he would likely take over from there.
Well, he obviously wasn’t feeling it.
I hated how he had made me feel. I felt dirty and not just because my clothes had been soiled with blood. He’d rejected me so thoroughly that I questioned whether I’d ever had any right to consider myself attractive.
Have I made a mistake in coming here? Maybe I should just become Lorccán’s mistress. He’s never made me feel this way.
Chapter
Nineteen
Eithne was irate at the state in which I returned to my room. She cried out in shock and asked what he’d done to me before pressing her lips into an angry line. She didn’t speak again through the rest of our exchange.
I didn’t tell her the whole story. I only said the King had not wished to be disturbed, and in my foolishness, I’d forgotten my lamp and fallen on my way back.
From the furious glint in her squinting eyes, I knew she didn’t believe my story even though it was true on its surface.
Still, she carefully removed the few shards of glass stuck into my palms, cleaned the wounds, smeared on some healing salve—which I’d made myself—and wrapped my hands in bandages.
She helped me change into a fresh nightgown and climb into bed before taking my bloodied clothes with her as she withdrew to her quarters.
The salve numbed my wounds, so I couldn’t lie to myself and say they were why I cried myself to sleep. At least a glowing blue dog was the only witness.
My eyes were red and swollen the next morning when Eithne arrived with my breakfast. She quickly brought me a cool rag, but I didn’t much care how I looked at the moment. All I could think about was Aodh’s wrathful expression and cruel words. Perhaps I wasn’t as strong as I gave myself credit for. I knew he wouldn’t be pleased, but his heartlessness made me question whether what I’d set out to do was even worth it.
He’s changed so much. Two cycles is a long time. Maybe this new Aodh isn’t someone I want to be with.
Despite Eithne’s urging, I didn’t even change out of my nightgown. I just sat at my little table, thinking about what I should do as I stared out the window at the garden.
At some point mid-morning, a gentle knock sounded on my door. Eithne opened it, and Odilie scurried in, a tray in hand.
I tilted my head at the cup on her tray. Apple juice?
Odilie dipped in a quick curtsy and crossed the room to place the beverage on the table.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” she greeted. Her tone was gentle as if she were talking to an invalid. “How are you feeling?”
I glanced at Eithne, who shrugged her shoulders to tell me she hadn’t said a word.
“I’m fine, Odilie. Thank you.”
“I’ve brought you something special this morning. It’s what we drink at home to lift our spirits and promote healing.”
She could indeed have noticed the bandages on my hands once she’d entered, but if Eithne hadn’t mentioned it, how would she have known to bring me a healing draft?
“Thank you, Odilie. May I ask how you knew I would need such a thing?”
Odilie smiled, her amethyst eyes sparkling. “His Majesty, of course. This morning, he sent for me especially and asked me to deliver you some. I often serve it to His Majesty as well. The staff was a-flutter this morning about what might have happened last night. We found a table knocked over, a vase shattered to pieces, and traces of blood. We cleaned it up but had no idea who had been injured. But then His Majesty sent for me, and I knew it must have been you. I’m glad to see you’re feeling all right.”
Aodh asked her to send me a healing tonic? My mind spun at this new information. While it wasn’t incongruous with the Aodh I’d once known, it certainly wasn’t behavior I would have expected from the man I’d encountered the night before.
Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I turned to look out the window as Aodh and Selwyn appeared on the garden path.
In the full light of day, Aodh looked as though he’d been born to be king. His ruddy blond hair shimmered in the sunlight. And though his clothes—a simple tunic, belt, and trousers—were not nearly as ostentatious as the previous goblin king’s, he wore them as if they were the most luxurious.
He stood up straight as he walked—his confidence bespoke with every stride—listening carefully to what Selwyn was saying to him.
Selwyn, for his part, appeared almost a different being from whom I’d come to expect. His expression was smooth and easy, and I couldn’t help but notice how much different he looked when he smiled.
Selwyn reached out and rested a hand on Aodh’s shoulder, and they both halted. I stiffened at the reminder of what Selwyn’s touch had done to me. His kelpie influence wouldn’t work on Aodh because he wasn’t human, but it would continue to present a danger to me unless I did something about it.
Turning back to Odilie and Eithne, I said, “I need to go into town.”
Odilie blinked at my abrupt change in conversation, but Eithne shook her head, crossing her arms.
“It’s too dangerous,” Eithne opposed. “You’ve never gone alone before, and—” She glanced over at Odilie.
