Goblin Girlfriend: Siegna (special preview)

It’s quite cold out and I can smell rain coming. Luckily, there is a village up ahead, hopefully there will be an inn there, or at least somewhere we can get a room or a roof over our heads. My wife and I have been traveling for a few days now, and I know sleeping on the hard ground is getting to her. She’s been pouty and in a grumpy mood lately, but I know she’s not going to outright complain about it.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get some hot food too,” I say, trying to lift her spirits.

Siegna sighs, brushing her hair back from her face. “Hope so. Even if we have to wait out the rain in a tavern all night I’m fine with that, Valerio.” She smile up at me. “Maybe we can snuggle up in a booth.”

I bend over and kiss her cheek. “I’d much prefer a bed, but if that is all we have, I’ll take it.”

Once we get into the village it starts to rain, little soft droplets at first thankfully. We find a tavern with rooms to rent above, a lucky break. I’m excited to be able to sleep in a bed for once, especially since it’ll mean Siegna will be comfortable.

“I’ll sho wyou to your room so you can unload your your equipment,” the barmaid says. She looks at me with a smile, but when she looks down at Siegna it fades. “Will you be needing two beds?”

“No, no,” I laugh. “We’re married, we’ll be happily sharing a bed!”

Siegna grabs my hand all of a sudden. “Happily,” she says with a huff.

The barmaid smiles at me again. “How nice.” She takes us upstairs, showing us to one of the rooms then handing me the key. “If you need anything at all, sir, you come and find me. I’d be happy to help you with anything at all.”

Siegna takes the key from me and unlocks the door. “You get paid everytime you say anything?” She tosses my bag into the room.

I give the barmaid a smile. “Thanks but we’ll be okay. We’re both just happy to have a roof over our heads for the night. We’ve been having to camp for a while, so we’re both on edge.”

The barmaid giggles. “If you need water for a bath I’d be happy to bring it to you.”

“Yes, go get it,” Siegna snaps, shutting the door behind her. She grabs my arm and pulls me. “Come along now, husband,” she says this pointedly, “lets go get something to eat.”

“Sounds good. And yes, bring some water so we can wash off after our meal.” Siegna gives me a sharp tug, taking me back down stairs into the taven. “You must be hungry.”

Siegna looks up at me with a frown, her jaw is clenched, and her sharp ears look more pointed than usual. “Yes. I am.” She plops down at a table and looks around with a sulky glare.

“I am looking forward to that bed tonight. It looked big.”

“Not big enough for three,” Siegna grumbles under her breath.

I furrow my brow. “What?”

“Nothing.” She waves down another barmaid and puts in her order, asking for beer and a big bowl of potato and ham stew. I ask for the same.

Siegna keeps glaring off behind me, as if watching my back for enemy attack. “Love, relax, we’re out of the rain, somewhere warm, and there’s no reason to be on your guard.”

“Oh yeah?” She sits up straight in her chair and tosses her hair over her shoulder. “You think there’s nothing to be worried about?”

I shake my head, confused by her sudden defensiveness. “No, I don’t. Is everything okay?”

Siegna sighs, slouching her shoulder slightly. “For now it is. Let’s just hope it stays that way.”

I smile at her. “Tell you what, tonight when we take a rinse off before bed, I’ll give you a back rub.”

“If I feel like it.” A slight smile begins to appear.