In the 17th Century, the ancient sprawl of Epping forest is bursting with magic and those who go unseen by human eyes: the elves who rule the summer court, and the goblins who rule the winter court. It is said that if a human catches the eye of one of the fey, they are either doomed or blessed. Contains the stories: Wulfren and the Warlock: When Wulfren wakes from a strange dream of a human captor with long silver hair, and grey eyes, his brothers tell him they rescued him from a warlock, and take Wulfren back home to the goblin king's palace. But Wulfren isn’t so sure the matter is that simple. Why was he missing so long? What are the strange dreams of the beautiful man with the silver hair? Dalliances with humans are severely frowned upon, especially by Wulfren’s father, but Wulfren is willing to risk the scorn of his family to find the human who haunts his dreams. Quiller and the Runaway Prince: After a hard winter, Quiller is sent deep into the forest on a family errand, and is surprised when a human stumbles into his path. Quiller swoops in to pester him, perhaps even eat him, but there is something special about the human: his scent is royal, though he protests that he is not, and soon Quiller finds himself agreeing to help the human with his troubles—in exchange for a kiss.

Goblins

Ash stood, slowly pulling me with him. In my desire to be naked for him, I lost my clothing, a trail of tatters and leaves left on the floor with each step. He bound me again to his bed, and my skin burned from his touches. I wanted this; I wanted him. My desire for him was so strong it almost hurt. The magic in me pulsed and vibrated, dancing over my skin before he drew it from me through sweet release.


The cooling vapours of violet and indigo rose to the roof of his cabin, the mixed colours of desire and passion. Could Ash see them as I did? If he did, he didn’t say. When he unchained me I felt that same stab of disappointment. I didn’t want to leave him, I wished he would keep me chained and force me to stay, but he didn’t.


“Thank you, Wulf,” he said softly. “You may leave.”


Chapter 13