Drio propped himself up on one elbow, confused. "Che cosa?"

For a moment, I debated not telling him. But we were a team now, me and my goblin, and to deny her this would be me turning my back on us both. I steeled myself and spit it out.

"My redcap, uh, recognized you as her mate."

His eyes widened and a boyish wonder stole over his face briefly, as if he'd thought there was nothing in this world he hadn't seen and the sheer impossibility of this newness delighted ...