The Fairy's Forbidden Mate

Chapter 6 Titus

Rhea reached her hand out and placed it on Titus's chest. Her fingers felt his gentle warmth and a slight tingle at her fingertips. It was soothing though, nothing hurt her. She smiled up at Titus. “I guess you don’t burn me either.”

Titus's eyes flickered down at her with an unreadable emotion. Swiftly he reached his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. She felt him lower his head down to her neck and breath in her scent. His arms felt like she was in a warm blanket. Her body was tingling from his touch. She didn’t intend to, but she relaxed into his arms. It was such a calming and gentle feeling, she felt comfortable with him. She heard him chuckle lightly near her ear as he slowly pulled away from her.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” Titus winked at her and then cleared his throat a bit. “So, that didn’t hurt you at all? How did the hug feel?”

Okay, he was just testing to see my tolerance to him. Rhea thought to herself with minor disappointment. “It felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket.” Rhea giggled as Kelsie came up and tugged on her arm.

“Rhea, we need to go.” Kelsie glared at Titus and pulled back on Rhea’s arm.

Rhea looked at Kelsie and nodded. “She’s right. I have to get back before my parents discover I am gone.” She grinned a bit sheepishly at the last part.

Titus stared at her for a moment. His smile had faded, and he seemed to be in deep thought. Rhea noticed that both him and Grandpa Sage had a slight glaze over their eyes, and it seemed they were communicating. Titus then refocused on Rhea.

“No… I don’t think you’ll be leaving, Rhea.” Titus reached his arm out and grabbed onto her hand. Firmly, but gently.

Kelsie tugged back on Rhea’s arm and shot an icy glare towards Titus. “I’m taking her back home. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll let her leave.”

Titus chuckled darkly and glared at Kelsie. In an effortless tug and pulled Rhea away from Kelsie and into his side. “Easy there...” He took in a few quick sniffs and raised his eyes at Kelsie. “Little water pony… you are the one who needs to be careful.” He looked down at Rhea and into her confused eyes. “I’m sorry Rhea. It is best if you stay here. You know… all of the dragon kingdoms will be gathering here over the next month. This will be a great time for you to bridge the divide with our kind.”

He was right. When else would she have an opportunity like this? She knew that with the impending war they would need the dragons as allies. Though she felt like there was more to it for keeping her there but she couldn’t refute the logic in what he said.

“You’re right… this will be a good opportunity to hopefully work on relations.” Rhea looked at Titus and frowned. “My parents are not going to like this though. I’m not sure how they will react to this news.” Rhea could already hear her daddy. He would be furious. Honestly, she did not think there was anyway he would sit idly by and allow her to stay in the dragon kingdom.

“I’ll handle them.” Titus said tersely with a small half smile on his lips.

Rhea sighed. “If you say so... Kelsie… could you please inform my parents where I am and have some things brought to me… Knowing Cody he will be coming to stay with me…” Rhea looked up to Titus. “I hope that is okay, but my guardian will also be with me…-”

“And me!” Kelsie snorted out angrily. She wasn’t about to leave her friend around all these grotesque serpents.

Titus smiled and nodded to Rhea. “That’s not a problem. As long as you give me your word that you will never leave without seeking permission first.”

Rhea looked at him with wide eyes. He was making this sound indefinitely.

“For safety reasons of course. It is very dangerous out there right now Rhea. Demons are scouring the land in numbers we have never seen.” Titus noticed her shocked eyes and quickly tried to alleviate her worries. Though letting her go back is the farthest thing from his mind. He noticed something very interesting about Rhea. He couldn’t allow her to leave. He needed to keep her longer. Long enough for her to one day willingly choose to stay.

“Rhea… I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.” Kelsie frowned looked over at her friend. She was being held in the arms of a stranger. This whole situation was her fault. She couldn't help the murderous feeling that was growing inside of her. She knew she hated dragons for a reason.

“Kelsie. I’m not by myself. Go ahead and go.” Rhea reminded her that she wasn’t alone. Lee was just a quick shout away.

Kelsie snorted at this thought. Lizards of a feather flock together. Leviathan was a dragon even if he was a deity. Where does his loyalties really lie? Who would he choose? Rhea or the dragons? She frowned defeated. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Kelsie squinted her eyes shut and with a deep breath ran towards to nearby pond. It was going to be hell when Rhea’s parents found out. They would come for her. Especially when she tells them he wouldn’t let Rhea leave.

Titus kept Rhea tucked under his arm. “Come on Rhea… you hungry? Let’s get you something to eat and maybe we can get to know each other better?”

Rhea looked up to Titus. There was a vulnerability in his eyes. Despite the situation he didn’t seem like a bad guy. He let her feel like she chose to stay her on her own when she knew that wasn’t the case. It was either choose to be here willingly or stay here as a captive. She just chose the easier route. It was a good opportunity to get to know dragons. All the kingdoms would be there so if she could get on their good side maybe they would ally themselves with the fairies. She knew she would never get a chance like this again. For her people, she decided to stay. She was a willing captive. If that is what she had to be in order to help her people, then so be it. This was the first time she had really acted like a future leader for the fairies.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t afraid. She felt comfortable around Titus and she trusted Grandpa Sage. She might as well try to enjoy this experience and see where the ride takes her. Though it was funny… she went from being in one cage to getting locked into another. At least it was a change of scenery. She had heard before that time flowed differently in the dragon kingdom. But she wasn't exactly sure how it worked or how time was different. The rumors were time could flow faster or slower. Because of that it was easy to lose track of time because you never knew how much time had actually gone by.

Rhea and Titus were sitting at a table towards the back of the party area. It was a bit more secluded, so it gave them a bit more privacy for talking. Though Rhea didn’t miss the cold glares she got from various people. She could understand it though. After all she was being very casual with their royalty. Grandpa Sage was also giving her a lot of attention. She had the feeling she was being envied hard right about now.

Titus looked up behind Rhea and a smirk rested on his face. She turned to look to see who he was looking at. There was Lee walking towards them and was shooting a deadly glare back to Titus.

“Lee!” Rhea jumped up and leaped into his arms. She normally wasn’t so forward with him, but her safety net had finally arrived. She was surprised he didn’t show up sooner. If she ever really wanted to leave, he was her trump card for getting out of here.

“Rhea.” Lee scooped his arms around her and smoothed her hair back with his hand. “Are you okay?” He looked over her gently, watching her nod with a smile on her face. Then he looked up at Titus and returned his icy glare.

“What game are you playing?” Lee growled out lowly to Titus.

Titus smiled widely. “Levi… so you finally decided to grace us with your presence. You know you are supposed to be present during this event since it is a big deal.”

Rhea noted the exchange. The men knew each other. Titus also called him Levi which meant they were close. He told her that she could call him Levi, but she adopted the nickname Lee which he permitted as well. It was her endearing name for him. It felt more personal and intimate.

“Titus…” Lee growled again. Rhea noticed the tension in his arm as his fists balled up. It looked like he was trying to show some restraint and control his anger.

“I thought it would be nice to keep such a beautiful fairy around. I think if anyone can sway the hearts of our kind it is her.” Titus winked at Rhea and then stood up. He walked up to Lee who still had an arm around Rhea. “Also…” He reached out and pulled Rhea from Lee. He rested an arm around her shoulders and smiled. “Look Levi. I can hold her, and it doesn’t bother her.”

Lee looked at Titus arm around Rhea and his eyes grew dark. “Careful.” His voice was quiet and dripped with a lethal warning.

The atmosphere became very intense. Rhea felt Titus hand tighten on her shoulder as the two dragons pinned their eyes against the other. Their eyes were glazed over as they silently communicated with one another. You could feel the anger rising. Titus's joking demeanor was soon gone as his lips formed a snarl back towards Lee.

“Come, come my dear. You come with me. Don’t worry about these two they are always like this. You know what they say... the closer you are the more you fight.” Grandpa Sage walked up and plucked Rhea away from Titus’s side.

Rhea’s head was pounding. The pressure from being between the two of them was stirring a deep power inside of her. She could almost feel it trying to claw its way out. It was not able to set itself free… it only managed to make her head throb.

She walked away with Grandpa Sage. The situation felt weird. She didn’t know that Lee was so close with the dragons. It made sense… they were his kind. She always imagined him just watching over them from a distance. Titus made it sound like he actually visited there… if not lived there as well. Grandpa sage said they were really close, so they had to of seen each other often.

“Who is this lovely girl that seems to have captivated the lords?” A man with tan sun kissed skin, blue eyes and blonde hair walked up in front of her and Grandpa Sage.

“Rhea, I would like for you to meet Reese. Reece is captain of the guards and also Titus’s cousin. Reese… this is Rhea. She is the princess of the fairies.” Grandpa Sage introduced the two people to one another.

“Oh? The lords are smitten over a fairy princess? Not that I can blame them. You are a beauty.” Reese winked at Rhea.

“I don’t think they are smitten with me.” Rhea smiled back politely. It felt like they were fighting over a toy then over a lover.

“I don’t know about that. I noticed that Titus touch doesn’t harm you. That is very… curious. Want to dance pretty lady?” Reese extended his hand to Rhea and flashed a wide grin to her.

Rhea smiled. Why not? She was getting more male attention then she ever got. Remember, she was surrounded by an overprotective power force. It was nice to finally get asked to dance without being afraid of her family.

“Are you sure you want to? I’m not exactly dressed to impress.” Rhea giggled looking herself over.

“And you are still one of the prettiest ladies here.” He winked and motioned for her hand with his fingers.

Rhea giggled and reached out and took his hand. She smiled back to Grandpa Sage and allowed the gentleman to lead her out to the dance floor. She might as well enjoy herself.