Page 31 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

“But, sire!” Soren had put on a burst of speed and appeared at my elbow. “What will the Unseelie say?”

Oh, right. That was why. The isolation suited me. I focused on regulating my breathing.

“Don’t tell them.” I coughed. “Find the healer.”

Soren dutifully ran back down the stairs.

I briefly considered attempting a portal, but the curse still clawed at me. I dared not. Shoving away from the wall, I straightened and continued up the stairs. Only one more flight to go.

Nine

Calypso

I woke hearing voices, without a recollection of when I had fallen asleep. My head ached and the woozy sensation of the world moving without me made my stomach rebel. Keeping my eyes closed, I concentrated on the surrounding conversations instead.

“I really must protest, sire,” the man who had greeted us upon our arrival said.

“Did you ever stop?” Ghost growled.

“What is it this time, Soren?” Azulin sounded tired.

“She’s lying in your bed.” The horror in Soren’s voice sounded a tad overdone.

That explained the softness of the surface beneath me. Surely the most powerful fae in the realm would also have the most comfortable bed in the realm. It was probably also the reason the bed smelled of clean linens, fresh air, and Azulin.

A moment of silence drew out before Azulin asked, “And?”

“It is untoward!” Soren’s intense tone made me cringe.

“I am not in the bed with her,” Azulin muttered.

“When did you grow to be so tiresome?” Ghost asked Soren.

“I am not,” Soren protested with great offense. “I am, however, apparently the only voice of reason in the company of uncouth barbarians.”

Ghost snorted and a smoky essence teased my nose. Azulin sighed heavily.

“Ghost, have I made untoward advances toward Lady Anon?”

“You are showing admirable restraint.”

Azulin asked, “If I should be overtaken by the desire to assault the lady, do you promise to protect her reputation?”

“I so swear.” Ghost’s deadpan voice betrayed nothing.

“Are you satisfied, Soren?”

“Marginally, sire.”

“Then seek out the missing healer as quickly as possible.” The pained tone in Azulin’s voice brought my eyes open.

“Yes, sire.” Footfalls hastily retreated as I blinked up at the arches gracefully spanning the ceiling above my head.

Sitting up slowly, I scanned the room. Windows looked out in the four cardinal directions, revealing glimpses of the lightening horizon in the east. In the west, the inky black of the night still reigned. Based on the ribbed ceiling and the views out the windows, I guessed we sat at the top of the castle. I could see sky in all directions.

Only Azulin and Ghost remained in the room.

“May I speak?” I asked.

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