The Goblin Bride (Beneath Sands Book 1) by Emma Hamm (good short books TXT) 📕

“I think it likely that you do.”

“It’s not possible to fall in love with someone that fast.”

Micah grinned at her. “Some would argue that it takes much shorter time than that. He seemed to know quite quickly when he started to take care of you.”

She latched onto those words. As she sat watching Micah, she wondered what it was he was hiding from her. She might not have been trained as he was to know the small shifts and changes in a human face that betrayed their emotions. But she knew very well how to tell when someone was not telling her the whole truth.

That was precisely what the old man was doing.

Jane leaned forward, elbows pressed hard against the slate table as she looked him in the eyes.

“What do you know that I do not know?”

“Oh now that’s a story for Ruric to tell and not me.” There was a tone to his voice that she questioned. He was lying to her that he wouldn’t tell her the story. Willow used to use the same trick on her to get her to do what she wanted.

“What do you want, Micah.”

He mirrored her position, leaning forwards as well. “Information. A trade so to speak.”

She tsked loudly, leaning backwards so that she could cross her arms firmly over her chest. “I have no information that you would be interested in. This isn’t a fair trade. If I don’t give you what you want, then you won’t tell me what I want.”

“A smart woman, I do enjoy those.” She noticed that there was a gap between his two front teeth when he smiled at her. “However, the information that I want, I know that you have. The Queen is inquiring about your perception of the goblins.”

“The Queen can ask me herself.” The snippy reply was rude, but Jane had never enjoyed someone lording information over her.

He sighed. “The Queen has asked me to speak with you. She cannot speak our language, and as such I must be the intermediary. So, will you tell me what you think of the goblin race?”

“It’s nothing like I thought it would be. The people here are kind and thoughtful.”

She ended her sentence there, saying nothing more even though he continued to look at her as though expecting her to say more. Micah sighed, pinching his fingers between his eyes.

“Are you happy here?”

“I don’t think it’s possible for a captive to be happy.” But her words were hesitant, as though she might not entirely believe them herself. “I have not met anyone that I did not feel safe around. The goblins have been very gentle with me. What I want I am given and I am usually refused when I try to exert myself.”

“I sense a tone of frustration about that last bit.”

She shrugged. “I am a woman used to hard labor. To be here and doing nothing is slowly driving me insane. I don’t know why they won’t let me help them. If I do not know how to do it, they can teach me. I’m very quick at learning things.”

“Goblin women do not work.”

“Excuse me?”

“Goblin women are considered to be the most precious things that these goblin have. The women are pampered even more than those in our City. They survive entirely on the help of other people. This is why most of them are…” He paused. “Not beautiful by human standards. They live a life of luxury as others do the work for them.”

Jane’s eyes were wide as she looked at him, her mouth twisted in disgust. “Why would anyone want to live that life? Do they not get bored or tired of the same thing every day?”

“If they do get bored, they are entertained with something new. They can choose to leave the tribe they have been living with and go somewhere else. New sights and sounds are always offered to them. A female is the most precious thing to these creatures.”

“No wonder I’ve been bored out of my mind.” She shook her head firmly. “I am not like that. I do not wish to live that life. Tell the Queen that. I am certain you are going back to tell her everything that you discovered about me. I want to work. I want to be useful. I cannot be hiding in a cave for the rest of my life. I need my hands to be busy.”

He nodded. “And the goblins? What is your perception of them?”

“I like them.” She was growing frustrated with this game. “They are boring at times, but I find that at their core they are a beautiful race. They do not value the same things that humans do. I find that refreshing. To know that I am always safe and that if I needed anything they would help without question is one thing. I know that I am female and they think that is important. But they would do that for anyone, not just me. That kind of sincerity is something I consider to be rare and valuable.”

“And what do you think of the gemstones here?”

“The gemstones?” The question was almost insulting. “I have not thought of the gemstones since I’ve been here. The crystals are beautiful and the light they give off is useful. Are you asking me if I’ve thought of the value of them while here?”

He nodded.

“Then no. I didn’t think of the value of them even when I was in the mine. They were a means to an end and if I got one that meant my family would be safe. I’m just happy that my family made it to the City. I knew that the future with them was going to be up in the air no matter what. The City officials might have thought I was too old to remain with them and sent me back to the mining camps anyways.”

It was the first time that she had voiced her worries. Jane had known it was a possibility, but she