Page 36 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Soren bowed and exited the room hastily.

Ghost rolled his eyes and turned away.

“We have not finished our conversation,” Azulin began, but I was already heading toward the table across the room.

“Could I eat while you lecture me?” I asked.

He silently followed me, pulling out one of the ornate chairs from beneath the table. “I forgot how food dependent humans are.” He indicated I should sit in the chair he had moved. “We do have much to discuss, though.”

I slipped into the seat he offered and surveyed the bounty before me. It all looked so delicious. “Should I be concerned about any charms or spells or poisons?” “That is my task, my lady.” Ghost moved to the opposite side of the table. Picking up a small plate, he selected samples from each dish and poured himself a small glass from the pitcher of pale-pink liquid. He began eating the selection without a moment of hesitation.

“But—” I protested, but Azulin brushed my shoulder.

“Let him concentrate. If something is poisoned, charmed, or otherwise impaired, he will need all of his focus to disarm the spell. In the meantime, we need to address your vulnerability.” He pulled out the chair next to mine and seated himself with a weary sigh. “As you probably noticed, I have enemies.”

I snorted softly. “You were stuck in a labyrinth of monsters. I would be shocked if you didn’t believe you had enemies.”

“All clear,” Ghost pronounced and moved away.

Azulin began filling a plate. “Many of my enemies are within my court. While among the fae, one must always be vigilant. We are known tricksters and bargainers, always looking for a binding that we can exploit, which is why I told you not to speak for a time. It was the easiest way to keep you safe until I could set a protection spell over you.”

He extended the laden plate to me. I accepted it without thought, but he tugged it back out of my fingers. “Never accept gifts from anyone unless you are willing to trust them with your life.”

I eyed the food hungrily. “So, no one. Can I eat now?”

He nodded and handed me the plate once more before turning to fill another. “After we eat, I will set a spell on you so no one can harm you. Even with it on, though, you must be careful. No promises. No offering thanks. No giving the impression of commitment with your words. Nothing that might bind you to someone else, indenture you to someone, or give them hold over you.”

I chewed carefully. “You live by these rules?”

“To some extent. Unlike you, I am at the top of the pecking order and there are some things no one would try to force me into should I make a mistake.”

Watching him, I asked, “And if someone attempted it?”

“They can’t afford the consequences.” Azulin cut a slab of meat on his plate and speared the bite with a touch of savagery.“However, you cannot retaliate since you have no magic beyond the ability to transform into a cat.”

I watched him for a few moments. “If that is what they believe, they are wrong.” I turned back to my own meal.

“Oh?” He paused eating for a moment to eye me. “And how are they wrong?”

“I am bound to the Seelie king,” I replied slyly.

Azulin blinked and then let out a laugh. “That you are.”

I lifted my head to find him grinning over his food as Soren entered the room again and bowed to Azulin. “The couch and baths have arrived, sire.”

Behind him servants flooded through the door carrying accouterments, including a couch. I closed my mouth and fixed my attention on my food.

∞∞∞

Azulin

The servants appeared again and fussed over preparing the baths, especially hers. Furintag presented Calypso with a selection of oils, soaps, and lotions in a wide variety of scents. Without a word, Calypso selected a soap and then excused herself from her meal.

She moved off toward the dressing room that would serve as her chamber. Two young males turned to follow her.

Ghost growled. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The pair—a sprite and a brownie—both blanched.

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