Page 61 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

“I did what you asked. Now will you forgive me?”

Phillip moved to stand next to her, his attention on the cave. Rosamund nodded.

“I forgive you.”

“Thank you!”

Then the goblin’s smile turned viscous as he leapt. She emitted a sharp gasp of surprise and stumbled backward, her weak ankle giving way. They crashed to the ground. The goblin was on her in an instant. She put her arms up in defense against his gnashing spiky teeth. Phillip roared something incoherent and seconds later the goblin went flying off her into the trees.

He reached a hand down to her. She grasped it. He pulled her to her feet and wielded his sword in one smooth motion as the goblin reemerged from the trees. Gone was the pleasant expression only to be replaced by the wicked grin. But it faded quickly when he came face to face with the point of Phillip’s sword.

“Stay back,” Phillip warned.

The goblin frowned. His eyes filled with tears. “I meant no harm, really. I just wanted a taste of the lady.”

“Stay back,” he repeated and jabbed the sword at the goblin.

He stumbled backward several steps, his eyes wide and round. “But—”

“Be gone. And do not return. For if you do…” He paused, sticking the end of his sword against the goblin’s nose. He went crossed-eyed to look at it. “I will make sure you never breathe again.”

The goblin held up his hands and backed slowly away until there was a good bit of distance between him and Phillip. Then he scampered back into the trees, disappearing. Phillip stood there a moment, his hand on his sword waiting to see if he returned. The goblin did not. He replaced his sword, then turned to her.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

The goblin’s teeth tore through her sleeves, leaving them tattered. Other than that, she sustained no other damage. She nodded.

“You ask me that a lot,” she said.

“Because you get yourself into trouble a lot.” He winked as he said it. “It’s why I’m here to keep you safe.”

She grinned. “I’m fine, really.”

Relief passed over his face.

“Protecting you is quite the challenge.”

Though she knew he jested something inside her quivered. She liked the idea of him protecting her. Still holding her hand, he looked toward the shadowy cave entrance.

“Looks like we found it,” he said.

Trepidation edged through her. And yet it was impossible to refuse the call to enter and find out if there was, in fact, a treasure within it.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“No,” she admitted. “Yet, I find I cannot resist stepping inside.”

He squeezed her hand. “Nor I.”

Together, they turned toward the cave and entered.

The darkness pressed all around them. A damp smell accosted her nose. An icy fear skittered up her spine. She edged closer to him as they moved deeper, the light from the mouth of the cave at their backs. It was getting more and more difficult to see.

“We need a torch,” she said.

“Yes,” he agreed. “I should have…”

His words trailed off. He cut her a glance, then reached for something in the darkness. She was unsure of what he grabbed until he pulled it closer to him. He held a torch.

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