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

“But whatever you done to Cameron, I’m gonna do to you.”


I couldn’t help a chuckle. “Club me? Go on, then.”


“Aye, I’ll do you good.” He raised the club.


It took all I had to kick my leg out and dislodge his footing. He grunted as he fell to the ground. I hadn’t won; all I’d done was delay him. Looking around, I could see the other humans laying where I’d tossed them. At least I only had one thug to contend with.


This time when he picked up his club, he looked determined. I winced in anticipation; this was probably going to hurt. A lot.


A caw above, then a whistling through the air. The man turned to see what it was just as the arrow embedded in his side. He squawked in pain, and fell hard, club still in his hand.


That was Tansy’s voice. My vision was hazy now, but I could just make out her form as she rushed to my side, bow clutched in hand. A man was with her, and I could tell by the smell that it was Cashel.


Chapter 58