Dr. Luna
The Fairy’s Forbidden Mate Chapter 21

The band was playing, and dozens of partners were entering the dance floor. Titus stood up and extended his hand to Rhea. "It's time I make it known that you are my partner tonight."

Rhea grinned back at him and gently placed her hand into his. She was excited to get to dance again tonight She let him twirl her around on the dance floor. She noticed him shoot a few glares past her on occasion. He made sure no one was staring at her for long. "I was really proud of you earlier... for how you were with Melvin." Titus stared into her blue pools. She really was stunning to look at. "I expected you to just stand quietly by. What you did... meant even more though. It showed courage. I was very pleased and always surprised by you."

"I couldn't let someone insult me or my kind... especially the likes of him. I honestly don't understand how you put up with it." Rhea was curious why he tolerated him so much.

"I know. Trust me it is hard. In his case... it is best to keep him close so that I can keep an eye on him. If I thought, he merely worked alone it would be over. I have a feeling though... and I need to replace out who all are in his pockets."

She watched Titus as he drifted deep into his thoughts. "So, are you purposely provoking him to try to get him to act?" His eyes refocused on her with amusement behind them.

"Purposely provoking?" Titus grinned as he repeated the question back to her.

"Yes." Rhea giggled. "Provoking him with having a non-dragon mate."

"Hmmm. I see. You think that I was purposely provoking him by saying that?" Titus grinned and then twirled her around. As he spun her back, he pulled her deep into his embrace. "I'm not provoking him with that. I'm preparing him. Letting him get used to the idea slowly."

Rhea felt his hot breath fan against her cheek. She tilted her head up to him and smiled. She scrunched her eyebrows up. "Preparing him for dragons taking a non-mate in the future?"

Titus chuckled. "Why are you fighting it so much? Why don't you accept the idea of me as your mate?"

Rhea felt her heart flutter and she caught her breath in her chest. His voice suddenly sounded serious and the usual mischief was gone. She forced herself to exhale and keep her composure. She met with his amber eyes confidently. "You are not my mate Titus." She watched a grin spread across his face.

"How do you know? When your wolf finally pops out, you'll feel differently." Titus leaned down and breathed in her scent.

"Titus... quit teasing me." Rhea didn't know for sure, but she just didn't think he was her mate. Yes, she was attracted to him, but shouldn't it be stronger even without her wolf? His teasing her was starting to make her a bit confused though. Like she should be feeling more for him.

"Rhea..." His hot breath fanned her hair as his head drew lower. There was a certain tenderness to his tone. It was just her name. Just one word. But it felt like there was so much more behind it. So much more meaning was meant in that one word. She felt an inner moment of clarity. She was no longer confused. She knew... she knew what she had always known.

She pulled back slightly and smiled up at Titus. "It's not you." She gave him a knowing smile. "I might not know who my mate is... but I know what my heart wants. And it isn't you. Even if you are good looking... you aren't the one my heart calls out for." Titus smirked at her and continued to sway to the music with her in his arms. "Life has a way of surprising us, Rhea. I'm young... you're younger still. Sometimes we can't wait for the maturity that age brings to us. Some futures we are meant to face while young. Your future is heavily intertwined with mine... and soon you will realize just that." Titus stared at her sapphire eyes that sparkled under the light. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. A few minor gasps were heard in the crowd as they witnessed the intimate scene. Their king had just kissed someone on the cheek. This was not casual news.

Rhea felt the soft tickle from his lips on her cheek. There was a certain respect and adoration behind it. She looked into his smiling eyes as he pulled away. He might be a flirt and a tease but what he just said was genuine. What exactly it meant she was sure she would soon replace out.

"I'm glad we are friends." Rhea smiled back up to him as he led her off of the dance floor.

"We are more then friends Rhea. For now, I will just leave it at that." Titus squeezed his hand on her back lightly with a small smile resting on his face.

"My lord." A older mans voice called from behind them as he approached.

Rhea glanced back to see a man that was wrinkled with time. How old he actually was... well that could only be guessed. Shifters didn't age like humans did. Even her parents still looked very young. This man was probably hundreds of years old. He was a man of stature and noticed that he had the respect of those around him.

Titus smiled at the man and nodded. "I didn't realize you arrived today."

"I did. I traveled with my two granddaughters. I promised them that I would get them dances with the King of the West." The old man's eyes glinted with humor.

Rhea could see the minor agitation rise in Titus, but he just continued to smile at the older man. "Of course, just let me tend to my date for one moment and I will meet you over at your table." The old man nodded in appreciation and slowly walked away. Titus growled lowly as the man left. "That crafty devil knew I couldn't refuse him."

"Who is he?" Rhea asked quietly.

"He was the old king of the Southern kingdom. Two no three kings ago. The kings step down automatically when they have an heir reach the proper age to take over."

"What happened to your father?" Rhea bit her bottom lip as the words vomited out of her mouth before she had time to think. She watched a tight smile rest on Titus face. Titus was young and his parents were nowhere to be found... they were not even talked about.

"My mother died when I was born. No one really talks about the event, but my birth ended up burning her alive. I read the official reports..." Titus never got to know his mother, but he heard she was very sweet and loving. She wasn't an upper tiered dragon. It was very painful being pregnant with him, but ultimately giving birth is what killed her. "Then my father... well he could barely look at the son who killed the love of his life. The day I turned eighteen he vanished leaving me the kingdom. Well... it is written that he vanished, but that's not what happened. The pain from losing his mate was too much. He wanted to forget... everything. I don't know all the details. According to Grandpa Sage he just doesn't remember anything anymore. He is living his life in one of the utopias created for all magical beings. I'm sure you have heard of those villages before." He watched Rhea nod her head. "I plan to check in on him... not that he would know it was me... but just to see him happy."

Rhea's eyes watered up. Poor Titus. Her mother mentioned to her before that she felt like Titus was lonely. She was right. He didn't have anyone. Thank goodness he at least had Grandpa Sage and Lee. "Titus... you know I'll always be here for you. And I will help you in anyway that I can. I might not look it, but I am pretty tough too if you ever need an extra hand in battle." Rhea watched his lips curl up in a smile.

"I'm counting on always having you around. Though you must be nuts if you think I would ever allow you to fight. Who would allow someone so precious to enter a battle?"

"Hate to break it to you but you are looking at someone who will be entering the battlefield against demons. I know this is going to happen and that I will be at the front lines... I've seen it." Rhea's voice quieted over the last few words.

Titus looked over her sincerely. "I know you saw something... But I want you to know that no matter what I WILL be there. Side by side, Rhea. Well, more like me in front and you behind me." He grinned at her and continued. "I don't care if I have the backing of my people or not. I will be there to fight by your side. I won't let anything happen to you. You are important to me."

Rhea smiled at him. She was relieved to hear him say that. She wasn't just gaining allies for the upcoming battle. She was gaining precious friends. Titus was important to her. She also vowed that she would always answer the call if Titus was in need. Whether he wanted her to fight or not was irrelevant. Sometimes the key players are not the ones you expect. She reached out and placed her hand around his. "Thank you, Titus. It means a lot to hear you say that. You are important to me too. I know it is weird... but I feel like we have always known each other."

"It isn't weird... especially because I feel the same way. Yours is a soul that my own recognizes. We must have been close in another life." Titus squeezed his fingers around her hand. Titus glanced up and towards the table in the distance where the old man had returned to. "I'll be back soon, Rhea. Try to stay out of trouble."

"You realize who you are talking to right?" Rhea chuckled.

Titus beamed at her. "That's why I am telling you now to stay out of trouble. I shouldn't be long... provided I don't get pulled into some long-winded conversation that I can't escape." He all but groaned out quietly.

Rhea watched him walk away leaving her at their table alone. At first, she sat there obediently. She was really trying to be good and stay out of trouble. However, after about twenty minutes she saw that Titus was getting pulled by another man to dance with his daughter. She smiled to herself. She could almost hear his annoyance. She was tired of just sitting though so she stood up from her table and wandered to the drinks table in the back.

A few children had sneaked into the festivities and were kicking a ball back and forth. One of the children missed stopping the ball and it rolled to the side. Past the group of empty tables and right under the table of the man sitting in solitude. She watched the children looking in the direction with a frown.

"Can't you just go grab your ball really quick?" Rhea's soft voice called from behind them.

"We can't go over there." The young boy pouted.

"I'll get it for you." Rhea watched the children's eyes light up and she smiled. She didn't know why this man was sitting in solitude but surely it would not be a problem for her to walk over and retrieve the children's ball for them. She would only be but a moment. What could go wrong?