Dr. Luna
The Fairy’s Forbidden Mate Chapter 67

"Rhea!" Ruby called out as she walked around the corner with Grayson. "You look incredible."

Rhea smiled. "So, do you." Ruby walked up and pulled Rhea into her embrace.

"I'm so happy we ran into you here. Titus has been hogging you all to himself." Ruby pouted while Grayson chuckled beside her. He looked up and noticed Reese standing in the distance.

"I see you are well guarded today." Grayson smiled as he saw the immediate annoyance in Rhea's eyes

"Titus thinks I'm going to be sniped by an assassin or something." Rhea let out a huff of air.

"No, he is doing his job keeping you safe. You are special and in an important position. Extra precautions are necessary when it comes to you. Better safe than sorry." Ruby understood what it was like feeling smothered by guards, but it was also necessary. Especially in Rhea's case. She wasn't just the future queen of the west she was also the fairy princess. In her opinion she wasn't being protected well enough.

"So is this like the official pre-party hang-out?" Rhea figured she would switch topics. The truth is she never felt like she needed to be guarded. What these people didn't know is she could call for Lee if she ever needed help. He was her summon. She was never really alone.

Ruby walked out from Grayson and locked arms with Rhea. "I guess we were just drawn to you. Come on I want to show you my favorite spot here."

The three men watched the two girls walking away together... well four men if you count Reese in the distance.

"You and Ruby ready for showtime?" Weston elbowed Grayson playfully with a wry smile.

Grayson chuckled. "I've been ready for showtime for years. I'm sure you know Ruby is ready too. We have spent too much time apart. This is the final declaration before I crown her as my queen back home." He turned and looked at Weston. "You know... I'll take good care of her."

Weston looked out after his sister and nodded with a small smile on his face. "I know you will. Because it is you I am able to part with her."

"She'd be touched to hear you say that." Grayson smiled at him knowing he didn't express his real fee

ften.

"She would... but she won't. It's easier on her this way. If she doesn't realize how important she is to me then it won't hurt her to leave." "Weston you always like to play the clown and jokester... but how do you really feel about things? That is always the biggest mystery." Dex turned and looked at him. From as long as he has known Weston he has always hidden behind being the prankster. The player. The jokester.

Weston chuckled. "Now don't go analyzing me, Dex. There is already too much seriousness in life. I want to have fun and enjoy it. I like watching everyone's reactions. It tells me a lot."

"So, what are your real thoughts about getting involved in the upcoming war?" Dex asked quietly.

Weston's eyes looked forward to the two smiling girls. "It's our war too. Do you really think that after conquering the fairies they will stop there? Besides, I don't think I want to exist in a world where the fairy princess doesn't exist."

"Hmmm? That sounds like a declaration of love." Dex teased with a small laugh.

"You trying to get me killed by Titus?" Weston chuckled and shook his head.

"I know what you mean, Wes. I feel the same way. She's important. Already, she is important to me as well in a sister type of way." Dex made sure to add at the end.

"Good. It better be a sister type of way." Grayson growled lightly.

"Poor Rhea..." Weston said with a sigh and the other two looked at him. "She grew up with three overprotective brothers and she just got a few more." The three men nodded their hands and laughed.

"Don't be nervous about later Rhea." Ruby said quietly as she leaned down looking at the flowers. "Just forget about the crowd."

Rhea smiled and nodded. "The crowd is the only part I am nervous about honestly." Rhea closed her eyes and breathed in the scent. There was a strange sweet scent in the air. She didn't think more about it because the next thing Ruby said shocked her. "You love Titus don't you?" Ruby asked and Rhea tightened a bit. She didn't want to lie. But she didn't have to. She loved Titus, but she wasn't in love with Titus. There was a difference.

"Mmmhmm. I trust him completely." Rhea added and flashed her eyes to Ruby.

"He's a good guy. Despite his early life he grew up well." Ruby added with a slight frown.

"He's happy now. He isn't lonely. And I promised him I would always be around for him. He will never be left alone again." Rhea watched as Ruby straightened up and turned to look at her. She reached her hands out and held onto both of hers. "You have touched all of our lives in such a positive way. Are you sure you are not a fairy godmother or something?" Ruby smiled and Rhea giggled at her.

"Have you been watching Cinderella lately?" The two girls giggled.

"It is about that time... Let's escort each other. It will be the last time we will be able to do so." Ruby wrapped her arm with Rhea's and the two walked back up the path.

The group made their way to the party. Rhea could see Cody and Kelsie seated in the very back in a secluded spot. Most of the seats have already been taken and dragons were happily chatting amongst each other.

"My sister Lila is here." Dex pointed out in the distance to a very pale girl. She had both ivory skin and light blonde hair.

"Maybe I should go and pass some time with her?" Weston teased and Dex snarled at him lowly. "Easy there. It was obviously a joke. This is her first mating party isn't it? You nervous about maybe losing your baby sister?" "I don't really want to talk about it." Dex said in an annoyed gruff.

Grayson walked up behind Rhea and Ruby. He wrapped both of his arms around the two girls and led them towards the head table.

"Hey. That's not fair Gray!" Wes snorted. "You can't hog Rhea when you have Ruby."

"Can't I? Come and take her then little whelp." Grayson grinned and watched Weston frown.

"You're such a bully." Weston walked up to the table and plopped into a seat.

Dex walked over and winked at Grayson. "This one is mine until Titus comes and claims her."

Grayson nodded and relinquished Rhea to him.

"HEY! You let Dex take her and not me?!" Weston's eyes were raised as he asked in exasperation.

"Yeah, I trust Dex with her more. I don't want you spoiling the goods." Grayson snorted and helped Ruby into her seat.

"I wouldn't spoil the goods." Weston folded his arms and pouted playfully.

"Aww Weston maybe if you're good I'll save a dance for you." Rhea giggled and Dex tugged her towards him.

"Now you've done it. You can't promise to dance with the likes of him. You have a reputation to protect." Dex teased and Weston's mouth went agape.

"You are all picking on me now. Yep, let's just pick on the baby of the group because he isn't the king yet."

"Hate to break it to you Wes, but we will pick on you then too." Grayson said as the rest of the table snickered.

Rhea sat down at the circular table. An empty seat to her right and Dex on her left. Beside Dex was Weston, then Grayson and across from the empty spot was Ruby. The table was set similarly to when she was at the party before. The tablecloth was silver this time and had floating silver heart candles in the middle of the table. The group was sitting around the table and having a good time.

Rhea felt a slight tap on her shoulder and she turned around to see Reese standing there looking a bit awkward.

"Reese? What's wrong?" Rhea asked and stood up sensing there was a problem.

He leaned his head forward and whispered quietly. "Come with me Rhea."

She looked at him for a moment and studied his face. What did he want with her? His eyes looked urgent though. She turned and looked down at Dex. "I guess I'll be back."

Dex stood up and grabbed onto her elbow and looked at Reese. "Where are you taking her?" His tone was low and he all but glared at the nervous man in front of him. He wasn't about to let Rhea out of his sight.

Reese's eyes shifted around nervously. "I just need her for a moment."

"Then I'm coming too." Dex said adamantly. He wasn't about to let Rhea out of his sight.

Reese ran his hand through his hair, and he shifted to the side nervously. "I... umm... the thing is... Titus just needs to see her for a moment." He finally blurted out.

Dex nodded but kept a suspicious eye on Reese. "Well then take us to Titus."

Reese paled slightly and then his eyes looked back at Rhea. He looked down at the ground and sighed. "Okay then... follow me."

They followed Reese away from the party tents. He took them around to the backside of the castle. It was completely deserted here with no one around. The gentle chirping of crickets were the only ones making their presence known. At the lower end there was a hidden door that had been overgrown with bushes. He pushed the bushes aside and looked back at Dex and Rhea. "Through here."

Rhea glanced up at Dex who tightened his grip on her. Something felt off about all of this. Dex eyed Reese once again before slowly proceeding forward through the door. Inside it was dark and poorly lit.

Okay so this really did look like a dungeon. Rhea looked at the small candles that were lit along the walls. It seemed very old fashioned. There was no electricity in this area or at least it wasn't hooked up here. The small drip of water hitting a puddle echoed off the walls. Each step filling the air with a hollow thud.

"Up ahead here." Reese said in an agitated voice. His squeezed his hand together and moved his thumb over his fingers. He glanced back at them swiftly before returning his full attention forward.

Rhea watched as Reese walked down a dark hallway. Dex and Rhea followed quietly. Why did Titus need to talk to her down here? The stone was cold and emitted a frigid chill in the air. Rhea shivered in her dress and Dex wrapped his arm around her chilled shoulders. He was also pulling her closer into his protective embrace.

Reese stopped when they reached a small circular room. "He will be with you in a moment." He said hurriedly before scurrying out of the room. Rhea looked up at Dex with confusion and glanced around the room. "What is this place?" She asked quietly.

"It's the abandoned part of the castle. We used to play here as kids." Dex looked around the room. The sound of a door creaking was heard and they both turned towards it.

Dex's eyes met with the person and he tightened his grip on Rhea pulling her into his side. "What the hell is going on?" His voice reverberated in a low growl.