Labyrinth: Herbs and Birds

Chapter 7

If I had any sense I should have fainted, but I couldn't, my legs and clutched hands shook while my face blushed beneath my bedridden curls as I listened to the two men bicker about invasion of privacy. I felt more embarrassed than even the time Rob dumped me at a public café in front of my parents. I stayed quiet as the Fae royals bickered at each other.

The blonde, Rudolf, I think, was red faced and looked uncomfortable as the King of Dreams behind me stared him down coldly.

Rudolf looked frustrated and intimidated, but stole leering glances at my direction as if I was a juicy side of meat at the dinner table.

Gareth spoke calmly, growled softy, yet when I looked up at his tall form, I saw the fire in his eyes blazing at the lesser man who invaded his bedroom to ransack his desk.

His gloved hands on my shoulders tightened when his words became more severe,

"…and if you even so much as glance or lay a finger on this young lady, I'll see to it that you are properly punished, by my own hands."

Rudolf sneered, "She's a mortal, cousin, and she hasn't been marked by any male yet so I don't see why you should keep her if she isn't a pleasant consort-"

"She is a Lady, not a slave, and you know very well what I have to say about slaves and consorts."

That threw me in for a loop, this cousin of Gareth thought I was Gareth's new girl friend with benefits, if I wasn't so embarrassed I would have laughed at the thought!

"Return to the High court Rudolf, send my regards to your mother, and never return to my kingdom without my sealed permission."

Rudolf snared and turned his back to leave, but was stopped when Gareth drew a crystal to throw at his back. From Rudolf's jacket pockets, objects fell out onto the floor, scrolls and paperwork that were sealed or bound by ribbons.

"Your dismissed, Rudolf" Gareth growled under his breath as the lesser fae scampered out of the room through a tall wooden door that slammed shut so loud it made me jump.

After a few seconds of silence, Gareth gently turned me around to face him; I could only stare at the floor in humiliation.

"Alex, did he hurt you?"

I shook my head, not caring that my wild curls covered my flushed face.

I heard myself gasp when Gareth began to gently move my hair out of his view of my face, then he tilted my chin up towards his with his fingers and gave me a look that seemed to stare right into my soul. As if he were searching for answers in my eyes and my face.

If it wasn't for the concern in his voice, I would have thought this could become intimate, that scared me more.

"Alex, were you harmed in any way shape or form?"

I timidly shook my head again, while staring up at his mismatched eyes, what was he doing? Why was I feeling nervous?

Gareth smiled gently, "good."

Then his smile melted into a frown, "where in heaven's name have you been? Sarah has been worried sick about you! And how did you get into two spell locked rooms without my permission?"

I sighed, yep, this was Gareth alright.

"Can't I get some clothes first before I answer you Dream King?"

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