Soul Mates: Magic (Soul Mates Series) by Elizabeth A. Lance Page A

and I’m sure you know it,” James said with a grin.
    “My liege asked that I join my sword to yours, your highness. I will help to keep you safe,” Cale said quietly.
    “We must hurry, the poison is spreading quickly and we must get to him before it completely destroys him,” I said completely in control again. I could feel the rage banked, waiting, burning for release, but I held tight. I would only unleash it on the ones that deserved it.

Chapter Twelve
                 
    We moved quickly through the forest of ancient trees, I could tell that Gaia was on our side, she was clearing the way as we moved through the density. I prayed every step of the way that we would reach him in time…that he was not being tortured more…that he would hold out and wait for me and not choose to fade from existence. I prayed to every god and goddess that they would be generous and help me to save his life, that the three fates would not cut his lifeline. I knew they existed. Diana was always at the Faerie Mound because of Max. In fact she and Auberon had gotten into it a few times because of Max’s duties. Auberon tends to push the issue a lot and sometimes she just has to step in and force him to see reason. I hoped she was listening now.
    “Princess, we have almost reached the edge of the Goblin King ’s territory. Are you prepared?”
    I’d never met the Goblin King, or any other Goblin for that matter. They tended to keep to themselves quite often. “Yes, I am prepared,” I said following close behind Thomas.
    The Goblin King’s palace was not your typical palace. It was built into the side of a mountain. It was dark and craggy and a little on the spooky side. And it kind of smelled like rotten eggs.
    “ Eww, what is that stench?” I asked Thomas.
    “The mud springs your highness,” Thomas replied. “The Goblin women use them for their spas. The Goblin’s find it a pleasant smell, so do not mention its odor to any of them.”
    I nodded as Thomas raised a hand to knock on the outer door. We waited a moment and the door was opened by the most unusual creature I’d ever seen. He was short, four feet tall at the most, his skin was marbled in appearance and seemed to have a greenish brown hue. His black eyes were huge and never wavering as he stared at us. I tried hard not to focus on any one part of him, especially not the long pointed ears that flopped this way and that or the very large feet that seemed almost too big for his body. He wore very little, just a pair of short pants that seemed to be made out of some heavy canvas like material.
    “What do you want?” he asked, his voice gruff.
    “We wish to see the Gareth, the Goblin King,” Thomas answered for us.
    “What will you give me to see our King?” the Goblin asked haughtily.
    Thomas pulled some gold out of his pocket. “Will this do?”
    “Aye, that will do,” the Goblin agreed and led us into the cavernous room. I thought that it would be dark and dreadful inside, but I was wrong. The walls were laden with gold and everything sparkled and shone brightly.
    We followed him down a long hallway, and into another golden room, this one befit a King. I couldn’t wrap my mind around all that I was seeing. “Did you know about this?” I whispered to Cole.
    “Of course Princess, the Goblins are the keepers of the gold, they enjoy the shininess of the metal. They of course also enjoy other riches as well. I’m sure that is one of the reasons Thomas is such good friends with Gareth, the Goblin King. They have much in common,” Cole whispered back.
    “Welcome, Thomas! Who have you brought to visit me this afternoon? Is that the Princess? My, my, my...isn’t she delicious,” Gareth said. I was fairly certain he was the King, he was a little taller than the other Goblin, his jet black hair flopped down over his right eye, giving him a roguish appearance. His eyes were a brilliant blue and he looked more Fae than the other Goblin, his ears were