Dr. Luna
The Fairy’s Forbidden Mate Chapter 26

Rhea quietly followed behind Titus down the long hall. The clacking of her shoes echoed down the quiet hallway. She was being led to an area where she had never been before. He opened the door and ushered her through. She walked in and was staring up at a very steep stairway leading upwards. It was so high that the stairs seemed to get lost in the ceiling and darkness as it spiraled around the wall. The area was poorly lit and reminded her of what a dungeon would probably look like. Rhea raised an eye as she looked at this seemingly abandoned area of the castle. This looked like a place you took someone on a one way walk. She felt the gentle pressure on her back as Titus encouraged her to walk up the stairs. Alright... she didn't know why they had to go here to talk but there was probably a reason, right? There was probably a reason for all of the madness... there had to be. At this point, she couldn't hardly just turn around and say never mind. She could always still mind link with Cody if there were any problems. She took in a breath of the cool stone air and began to ascend the never-ending staircase. What was waiting for her at the top? And why did she have to walk all the way up here just to talk?

It had been a quiet walk upwards. The soft sounds of their steps echoed keeping it from being completely silent. Rhea didn't know what to say or how to start things off. I mean... how do you talk about something like this? She was waiting for him to begin to explain things. Like why he had taken the blame for her neck. She was curious about the situation too. Did Lee really mark her? Was it an accident? Or was it a game of his? She had so many questions that she was driving herself nuts thinking about them. They were about halfway up when she stopped. She had been wearing shoes with a little heel on them. Usually this wouldn't bother her feet but with the long flight of stairs they were beginning to slightly ache.

Titus looked at her as she took a shoe off of her foot and then glanced up towards the remaining stairs left. This was not going to work. They still had about halfway left to travel.

"Come on I'll carry you the rest of the way up." Titus slid past her and bent down slightly so she could climb on his back.

"No, there is no need. I'll just take my shoes off. I am quite capable of walking." Rhea appreciated it but she didn't need to be carried like some frail girl.

"The stairs are dirty and cold. You can't walk up them in your bare feet. I'm carrying you. It's up to you to decide how though." Titus slightly turned back at her and waited.

Rhea stood there stubbornly with her arms crossed. She didn't care if her feet were cold and dirty. It would at least spare her her dignity. "Where are we even going? Do we really need to journey to the stars to talk?" Rhea studied his stoic expression. He didn't say a word and clasped her wrist in his hand. In a swift motion he tugged her towards him and lifted her up with his other arm. He then began to carry her bridal style upwards. She struggled in vain against him for a few moments before she finally gave up. "So now you're going to be the quiet type?"

Titus chuckled. "You are just full of sass aren't you. Just relax and enjoy this. You know I wouldn't carry just anyone. Especially up these steep stairs."

"So, you are expecting a thank you?" Rhea rolled her eyes and looked away from him. When she turned her head though her hair flowed away from her neck showing off her marks.

A low sound came from Titus's throat. Was it a growl or a low chuckle? She wasn't sure. She looked back at him out of the corner of her eye to see him looking ahead indifferently as if he didn't make any sound at all.

"How did this end up happening?" He finally asked quietly as he nodded down to her neck.

Rhea reached up and covered it with her hair. She was still embarrassed of the proof on her neck. "You're a grown man... I don't think I need to explain these things to you." She said in a rather salty tone. "Oh, I know about that stuff... I mean... how did it end up that Lee did this?" Titus said slowly and with an almost accusing tone.

Rhea was putting what he meant together. He was accusing her of seducing Lee. For Lee to mark her or whatever he did to her had to have been her fault. That is what it sounded like he was saying. "Just what exactly are you saying Titus? It's not like I threw myself on him naked and offered my body up to him as an offering. We were just talking... well sort of arguing... and it just... sort of happened. I'm not sure what sort of happened though. Are you sure this is a mark as in a mating mark?" She watched Titus's unmoved face again as he seemed to be deep in thought. He wasn't going to answer her as he continued to quietly carry her.

What happened... wasn't her fault was it? Sure, she wanted him to see her as a woman, but she didn't say take me as a woman. She didn't say see me as YOUR woman. She just didn't want to be treated like she was his kid sister. She wanted him to at least look at her like she was someone he could be attracted to. Okay... maybe that was a lie. She wanted more from him, but she never asked for more. Just because she wanted more from him that doesn't mean that she was at fault for what happened. It bothered her though that Titus had acted like he was responsible for it. He all but implied that it was his mark... wouldn't this in itself be problematic?

"Why...why did you do that..." She watched as his eyes flickered down towards hers. "Why did you imply that the mark was from you?" He stared at her for a moment before redirecting his gaze forward.

"Does it bother you? The fact that I am claiming you as a mate. Would it bother you if you were?" Titus said quietly there was a tad bid of sadness in his eyes.

Rhea opened her mouth to say something but couldn't replace her voice. She was trying to think about how she wanted to answer him. "I don't want claimed just for the sake of being claimed. I don't want to just be thrown into a role that was not supposed to be mine. Don't I have a say in any of this? If a dragon or anyone claims me as their mate do I not have a say? Shouldn't I be given the option to hear if my wolf also claims this person as my mate or not? It has happened before you know... That the mates were not mutual...-" Rhea was cut off by Titus.

"It has happened before. Where a dragon has found a wolf as their mate, but the wolf didn't see them as a mate. Which has worked out for the dragons since they wouldn't have taken the wolf as a mate anyways. However, a marked mate no longer can choose. The branding bond from a dragon can't be undone. Once marked, you belong to whoever marked you."

"I'm not a dragon though." Rhea said softly.

"No... you are not." Titus answered tersely.

"For goodness sake Titus stop being so short and mysterious. What does all of this mean? What is going on?" Rhea couldn't take the unanswered questions. What did all of this mean? Let's just say that Lee marked her. What does that mean for her? Hmmm... what does it mean? What are the options here? Either Lee marked her on purpose or by accident... or she wasn't marked at all, which doesn't seem to be the case. So, if she was marked by accident then what? If she was marked on purpose was it just for fun or... Her stomach fluttered and spun at the very thought. Could he really want her? What if he did mark her because he wanted her? She was inwardly smiling at this. She should be furious though. After all she would have been marked without consent. But... it would be everything that she had ever wanted. This is stupid Rhea. You don't know anything. Just take the information you do have and go from there. Quit planning your wedding. Rhea scolded herself as they neared the top of the stairs.

She looked up at Titus. "Titus... is this going to be a problem? Would it be best if I went back home?" Her voice came out a bit more pitiful then she planned on. The idea that this was all just one big mistake screamed in her head. She didn't want to cause any trouble. Wait, is that why she is being led to this oubliette? Was she supposed to be kept in a secret place and held there indefinitely? This new realization suddenly made the most sense. She was to remain there. A marked outsider can't just wander around freely. It would be an insult to dragons everywhere. Especially when word got out that it was the dragon deity that marked her. So instead, she would be kept locked up where no one would ever know.

She watched as they reached the trapped door ceiling at the top of the stairs. With one shove Titus flipped it open and carried her through to the ceiling floor. Once they were at the top her thoughts suddenly seemed like reality. She looked around the room. To the far side was a large opening to the outside where a dragon could come and go. She stood in a great oval room. Large enough for several dragons. There were a couple normal size doors off to the sides which Rhea assumed were perhaps bedrooms or bathrooms? Titus lowered her down and she turned back to look at him curiously. He had an almost sad expression on his face.

"What is this place?" She whispered out. She had barely managed to get the words out as she felt them get caught in her throat. She watched him advert his eyes away from her. Then he turned and walked back to the door a few feet away.

"I know you are confused and wanting answers. Please... try to make yourself comfortable here. There is a room over there where you can change clothes and shower. There are also a few bedrooms if you get tired. And over there is a kitchenette that has cold drinks and snacks. Lee will be up to talk with you soon." Titus's eyes flickered for a moment as he struggled with what else to say. "You won't be able to mind link from here it is imbued with magic." With a heavy sigh he turned and lowered himself down the stairs and shut the wooden trap door. Securely bolting it behind him.

When she heard the sound of the loud bolt clicking the reality of the moment kicked in. Well shit.