“So, now you wait until both of you have cooled down and you try again. And then the next time, you know not to hide things like this from each other for months,” Rosamund said in a voice serious enough I contemplated punching him. “Seppo and I had a bit of that problem when we first started seeing each other. He was worried about what others would think since he was already judged for being a halfling. For months I didn’t know why he pulled away, until it occurred to me to ask him.” A satisfied smile grew on his face. “And all it took was ensuring I’d rip the spine out of anyone who dared mistreat him, for it all to be better.” I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes. Why did all heartwarming goblin stories still revolve around violence?

“I hate it when you’re right,” I mumbled. “I’ll try again once we’re both in a better place. I know it must be hard for him. Both what I found out, and learning that I’ve kept secrets from him.”

“Yeah, Diaval filled Seppo and me in,” Rose said. “You know we have your back. And Soren’s. Things will work out, you’ll see.” He patted my shoulder before standing. “I better make sure Seppo is still alive. Between you threatening to push him off mountains and shove weapons up his ass, and Soren being … Soren, I’m surprised he doesn’t resemble a scared rabbit every time he’s around you two.”

“Seppo is a good goblin,” I said, slightly guilty. “I don’t mean to scare him. The Hunt was … tense.”

Rose snorted. “Hence why I stayed out of it. Also, don’t feel too bad. Part of Seppo’s entire charm is his ability to annoy and instigate fights wherever he goes. It’s what makes him so attractive.”

I laughed softly. “Whatever you say.”

Rosamund put a hand on my knee, and I held back a flinch. All this time, and sometimes it was still hard for me to have casual physical contact, especially with a male. Goblin, human, it didn’t matter. Though parts of my trauma had healed, much of it still was left to go, and that didn’t include the bits being ripped open again by Lydian’s revelations.