Page 10 of Bloody Business

“Hello, beautiful.Shall we dance?” He didn't wait for an answer, but led her to the dance floor.

The man she'd been talking to sputtered, “This is my dance!”

Artur gave him a warning look and then ignored the fat maggot.Small fish like that weren't worth his time.

Julep stared at him, astonished.“Artur?Is it really you?Your face ismuchless swollen.”Thankfully, it wasn't a complicated dance, for she wasn't much of a dancer.Not that she could have danced well in her ridiculous heeled shoes.Who designed those stupid women's fashions?

He turned her in a graceful twirl.“It turns out your medicine isn't lethal after all.You saved my pretty face,” he deadpanned.He was a goblin of course, and he would never actually be pretty.He made the large goblin nose and strong features look good, though, which was unusual for his kind.

She barked a laugh and then covered her mouth, looking around guiltily.“Sorry.”

He liked her laugh.It showed pretty white teeth, like a predator.“No need for that.I wanted to tell you that I have your sheep and cart.They're safe.”

“Oh!Thank you.That's kind of you.”She seemed amazed he had bothered.

Well, it was a pretty amazing thing for a goblin to do.Finders, keepers was more their style.“No trouble at all.I owe you.”He glanced casually around.“Feel free to call in the debt.”He added weight to the statement.

Her breath caught.She looked at him intently.

That's right sweetheart.That means what you think it does.Take me up on it.He smiled encouragingly.

She would be terrible at games of chance.He could read the furious calculation on her face, and knew what the furtive look around meant.They were being watched.The horrible fish-eyed man was gesturing at her angrily, complaining to her uncle, who was scowling.The dance would end soon.

“Marry me,” she blurted.She blushed, but didn't back down.“It will save my life.I'm trapped here.It's the only way to be free.”

He looked over her head, hiding his satisfaction.That was easy.

She mistook his action for rejection.She gripped his forearm.“You owe me,” she whispered desperately.She was clearly afraid he'd say no.

The music ended.He kept her on the dance floor, glaring a warning at her guardian/jailer.The woman hesitated, but whispered urgently to her husband.

Artur swept Julep into another dance.“You do realize that marriage is a contract?Goblins take these things seriously.”

“I don't care.It's worth it,” she said urgently.

“Think about it carefully,” he warned.“It's irrevocable.”

“I understand.I don't care.”Her eyes were wide with fear.

He doubted she was capable of understanding at that moment, but it wasn't in his interest to argue with her.“If you insist,” he said with satisfaction.

She wilted with relief.Rescue by goblin was unexpected, but she’d take it.Better she sell herself then let her relatives pawn her off to any of the sleazy men they'd intended.There was no doubt in her mind that being the wife of the goblin would be far preferable to marrying any of the men here.Artur would probably have to bully them into it, though.She couldn't imagine they’d be eager to marry her off to a goblin.

She didn’t expect her relatives toapprove.

Her relatives didn't just approve, they were gleeful.They didn't even bother to hide it, falling all over Artur like he was a long lost relative.

She was mystified, watching them fawn over him.She looked at him more carefully, noting his finally tailored suit and the quality of his boots.He must be rich.Come to think of it, he wouldn't be here if he weren't.

What a strange thought.When they'd met, he'd been filthy and peeing blood.There'd been no indication that he had anything to his name but a pack of bruises.Her relatives would have driven on by and left him in the ditch, spitting on him for good measure.

At least she had hope now.Tomorrow she would marry him, and then they could leave.Even if she had to live in a goblin city, it would be worth it.

It was late.No one was in the next room.She was tired, nervous and cautiously hopeful.She lay in her bed, thinking about the future...and was woken when several of them came in, bearing a cup of poison.

...

Wex had sweated over the marriage contract.Just because he worked hard on it and made it wordy didn't mean it was good, of course, but no one could tell him that.Wex was in business and he knew how to wheel and deal.He knew what he was doing.

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