Chapter 39
VIVIENNE
Idon’t want to leave him. The thought presses so fiercely in my chest that it almost stops my feet from moving at all.
But Lyrea’s hand closes around my wrist and pulls me forward into the woods while the others hurry ahead with the children, their footsteps as quiet as possible as we retreat into the shadows.
I’ve only taken a few steps into the trees when a brilliant explosion of light erupts behind us. The clearing blazes as shimmering green magic rises, soaring upward into a glowing wall, sealing the warriors inside.
Inside the glowing circle I see Auren and the others reaching for their weapons, growling in frustration as the barrier closes around them.
“It’s a rune trap,” Lyrea whispers, eyes wide.
“What does that mean?” I don’t like the fear in her expression. “Can they get out?”
“When activated, the runes prevent us from using our magic.” She points to a large boulder with a green symbol illuminated on the side.
She lifts her hands, and a soft glow flickers along her fingers as she tries to summon her magic, but it quickly sputters and dies.
Lowering her hands, she curses under her breath. “Anything cast near them collapses.”
Inside the circle one of the warriors tries the same thing. A bolt of power leaps from his palm but vanishes the instant it touches the glowing boundary.
Another soldier tries to approach one of the runes, but as soon as he draws close, he falls to the ground. I gasp as he writhes in agony before the others quickly grab him and pull him away.
“What happened? Why did he collapse?”
“The spell used for this snare must have been laid specifically for Elves,” Lyrea snarls. “We cannot get near the rune stones to break the barrier.”
Movement stirs along the edge of the clearing, and several Goblins step out of the trees.
They’re of similar build as the Elves, but with varying shades of green skin. Their ears are also longer and more pointed. Their armor is a mismatched collection of stolen pieces, and their cat-like eyes gleam with a greedy kind of curiosity as they circle the glowing barrier.
“Mountain Goblins,” Lyrea curses under her breath.
I had no idea there was more than one type. All I’d ever heard was that the women have purple skin, while the men are green. “What’s the difference between these and… regular Goblins?”
“They pledge themselves to the Goblin King, but they live in nomadic tribes. It’s rare for them to be this far south.
” She clenches her jaw. “Regular Goblins are clever, known for their bargains and tricks. These, however, are bandits and thieves. They’re also rather simple-minded, but that only makes them more dangerous. ”
A Goblin kneels beside one of the boulders carved with the glowing runes. From what I can see, there are three large stones that create the glowing wall of magic that has trapped Auren and his warriors.
The Goblin lifts the heavy stone as if it were light as a feather and moves it closer to them. The barrier begins to shrink. Inside the circle, Auren and the soldiers and their wolves are forced backward.
“They’re moving the stones,” I whisper as dread twists deep within. “They’re herding them.”
Lyrea nods grimly.
Another Goblin drags the second boulder, and the circle shrinks even more. Now the warriors and wolves are packed tightly together, the glowing wall pressing in from all sides like the tightening of a snare.
My heart clenches as Ailyn clutches Lyrea’s cloak. “Ada,” she whimpers the Elvish name for “father” as her eyes locked on Dain, standing beside Auren.
Lyrea grips my arm. “We have to go.” Her voice is firm now. “We must get the others to safety.”
I want to argue that we need to stay and fight, but then I look at Ailyn. The Dark Elves’ magic won’t work here, and the Dire wolves are trapped with the soldiers.
There are at least three dozen Goblins and less than a dozen Dark Elves outside the barrier. None of them are warriors, and many of them are with children. Even if they had the use of their magic, the odds would still be stacked against them.
“We cannot risk the children,” Lyrea says, as if reading my thoughts.
She’s right, but I cannot make myself move from this spot as my gaze remains locked on Auren, and a sudden thought occurs to me. “You said Elves cannot go near the rune stones, but I’m human.” I look at her. “If you tell me what to do, I can—”
“No,” she hisses. “Goblins are dangerous and powerful creatures. They could kill you. We’ll send someone back to Caer Aetheryn for reinforcements. But we need to make for the cave. Now.”
I look again at Auren. He grits his fangs, testing the barrier with the edge of his sword, his expression hard and focused even as the magic forces him back.
Something hot and furious sparks in my chest as the Goblins laugh at his attempts to escape.
“No,” I murmur.
Lyrea blinks in confusion. “What?”
I curl my hands into fists at my sides. “I’m not leaving.”
“Vivienne—”
“I’m going to save them.”
Before she can stop me, I step out of the trees and walk directly into the clearing.
The Goblins notice me immediately. Their conversation dies mid-sentence as I emerge into the firelight, brushing leaves from my cloak as though I have simply arrived at an evening gathering rather than a bandit ambush.
“Oh thank the gods,” I say with heartfelt relief. I lower myself onto a nearby rock and press the back of my hand to my forehead as though I might faint from exhaustion.
The Goblins stare at me in disbelief.
“I was beginning to think I’d wandered into the most inhospitable wilderness in existence,” I continue with a weary sigh. “Do you have any idea how dreadful it is to walk miles through these mountains in unsuitable shoes?”
One of the Goblins blinks.
Another scratches his ear as if he cannot quite believe what he’s hearing.
Inside the glowing barrier Auren has gone completely still.
The largest Goblin steps forward cautiously. He must be their leader. “You… lost?” he asks, his accent thick as though struggling to form the words of the common tongue.
“Lost?” I repeat, scandalized. “My good fellow, I have been chasing that wretched Elf all day.” I gesture dramatically toward the glowing triangle and point straight at Auren. “That one.”
Auren’s eyes are wide as the Goblins turn to look at him.
“So convenient that you’ve caught him,” I continue. “I must thank you.” I regard the Goblin leader a moment. “What is your name, kind sir?”
His head jerks back, obviously shocked by the way I addressed him. After a moment, he tilts up his chin and puffs his chest out with pride. “I Grathik.”
“Well, thank you, Grathik. You must be the leader here, correct?”
His chest swells even more as he gives me a firm nod. “I leader.”
A few of the others give him looks that say otherwise, but he points at Auren and then squints his eyes at me. “That Dark Elf King.”
“The Dark Elf King?” I give an incredulous laugh that makes the nearest Goblin jump. “Oh, he’s very convincing,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “That’s exactly what I thought too.”
I lean forward conspiratorially. “Turns out he’s nothing but a charming fraud who pretends to be the Dark Elf King to impress gullible women.” I gesture to myself. “And guess who his latest victim was.”
I shake my head. “And then he has the sheer audacity to leave me shortly after the wedding. And with a mountain of debt from his gambling.” I level my most convincing glare in my husband’s direction, looking for all the world like a woman scorned. “The charlatan.”
Inside the trap, Auren closes his eyes.
One of the soldiers coughs to cover a laugh, while the Goblins stare at me.
“You say… he not king?” one of them asks.
“If he were truly a king,” I say patiently, “do you think he would be skulking around these mountains tricking unsuspecting women into marriage?”
The Goblins exchange thoughtful looks, and one nods slowly. “Good point.”
“Precisely.”
I clasp my hands in satisfaction. “Well then, I must thank you for catching him.”
Grathik scratches his chin. “You still want him?”
“Of course.” I give him an incredulous look. “If I don’t bring him back home with me, I’ll be the one who has to pay for all his gambling debts.”
Most of the Goblins, including Grathik, look convinced, but there are still a few skeptics in the audience, judging by their narrow-eyed looks.
I stand, wincing slightly as the movement pulls at my ribs. “But first,” I add with a delicate wrinkle of my nose, “could someone fetch me a spot of tea?”
The Goblins blink.
“It has been a dreadful journey,” I explain. “My mount bolted several miles back and I’ve been walking ever since. I cannot imagine how anyone survives without refreshments.”
“No tea.” Grathik frowns. “Have ale though.”
I sigh. “Nevermind.” Then inspiration strikes. “Ah.” I clap my hands together. “Perhaps you fine gentlemen might escort me to your king instead?”
They straighten immediately. “You know Goblin King?”
“Of course I do,” I say coolly. “My father made a bargain with him. I’m his promised one. At least… I was before I was tricked by this wretched Elf.” I wave a dismissive hand in Auren’s direction. “Which is part of the reason I needed to catch him. So I can legally annul our nuptials.”
“Annul… nuptials?” Grathik asks as he and the others frown in confusion. “What this mean?”
Obviously big words are a challenge to these creatures. Delicately, I clear my throat to explain. “I need to divorce him so I can be free to marry your king. And that,” I add sweetly, pointing toward Auren, “is exactly why I must be rid of the marriage bond I made with this rogue.”
Grathik narrows his eyes. “Most females prefer Elves. Think Goblins ugly.”
I glance at Auren as though inspecting a mildly irritating decoration. “I suppose the Elves are pretty,” I admit. “But goodness, that becomes dreadfully dull after a while.”
One Goblin snorts. “Elves boring.”
“Yes,” I agree. “Quite.”
I clap my hands again. “Well then. Shall we begin our journey?”
The Goblins look uncertain.
“Oh dear,” I add suddenly, trying to keep them off balance.
“What?”
“That attire will simply not do.”
They look down at themselves.
“You cannot escort a lady while looking like that,” I explain patiently. “You’ve clearly spent far too long roaming these woods.”
They shift awkwardly.
I sigh heavily. “If only there was a stream or a river nearby.”
Grathik frowns. “Why?’
“So you could bathe and wash your clothes, of course,” I say as if this is all expected and very reasonable.
One of them grins. “Stream over hill.” He gestures away from the camp.
“How wonderful,” I say with my best smile. “You’ve saved the day.”
He lifts his chin, proud of himself.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” I blink innocently at them.
They glance at one another in confusion.
“Well, go on then. Hurry up and wash.” I smile again. “The sooner you’re finished, the faster we can begin our journey.”
Several of them nod as if this all makes sense and they head in the direction of the stream. All but two of them: Grathik and one of his men.
“We watch prisoners,” he says to me.
“Of course.” I nod. “You’re very wise. One cannot be too careful when dealing with shifty Elves.”
He nods firmly, while Auren closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose between two fingers.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I say delicately. “I must attend to a… private matter.”
They stare blankly, obviously confused, so I clear my throat and state bluntly, “I need to make water.”
Understanding dawns, and a deep blush spreads across their cheeks.
“Oooooh,” Grathik says and then turns his back to me. The other one turns away as well.
Rolling my eyes, I walk behind a nearby tree. Then I slip around the back of the glowing barrier.
“Psst. Over here,” I whisper to get Auren’s attention.
He turns sharply. “Vivienne,” he hisses. “What are you doing?”
I crouch behind a large shrub. “What does it look like I’m doing?” I whisper irritably. “I’m rescuing you.”
“Those Goblins are dangerous. You need to leave.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Vivienne,” he chastises in a low voice.
“Really, Auren, must you be so difficult?” I place my hands on my hips. “In case you didn’t notice, we’re a bit pressed for time,” I say primly. “Now, stop wasting your breath trying to convince me to go, and tell me how to save you.”
One of the soldiers snickers, and Auren glares at him.
“How do I free you?” I whisper.
Clenching his jaw, he points at one of the rune stones. “That glowing stone. You need to push it over, so that it breaks the line of sight with the others. It will collapse the magic barrier.”
I start to walk toward it.
“Wait,” he says quickly, and my head snaps to his. “It will hurt.”
I purse my lips. “Well, of course it will,” I grumble. “Because that’s just my luck,” I add sarcastically as I stalk toward it in a huff.
I touch the stone, and bright light arcs, zapping my arm. “OW!” I jerk back violently, shaking my hand.
“Vivienne!”
Before he can say anything further, I grab it again. Pain sears my palms, traveling up my arms like fire as the rock shifts beneath my grip. Gritting my teeth, I refuse to let go, pushing with all my might until the stone finally tumbles over.
The barrier shatters as it falls with a heavy thud, and a bolt of magic races toward me like lightning, sending me flying.
The world tilts as I slam onto my back, on the ground, the air forcibly expelled from my lungs. The sky spins overhead and Auren’s voice cuts through the chaos as he rushes toward me.
“Vivienne!” He falls to his knees and gathers me in his arms. His expression is half fury, half terrified concern as he stares down at me.
“Well,” I somehow manage to mutter faintly despite my pain, “that was rather unpleasant.”
“Gods, Vivienne,” he breathes, brushing the hair back from my face. “You are going to be the death of me.”