Page 65 of Finding Love with the Fae King

“Why are you doing this? What have I done to you? I thought I was your friend!?”Keep him talking. Buy some time.Carson leaped and jumped on the table. His feet were bare and dirty, and claws transformed on his feet and hands. A large growl ripped through the room as he snarled with drool coming from his mouth. Bits of foam dripped to the sides. Was he rabid?

Carson jumped, and I dove under the table. The claws made his footing slip, and I ran out of the ballroom, closing the door and hastily pushing a large chair under the doors. He could come through that easily, so I ran. Down the hallway and through the lighted windows, I found the bathroom I had emerged from. Instantly drawn to the door, I pushed it open, only to be sucked inside and spilled out of the other. Instead of the bathroom floor, I was back in the hallway with the Red Fury and Alaneo staring at me wide-eyed.

“Gods, Melina, are you all right?” Finley picked me up off the floor. Sweat was dripping down my face from running, and the heavy breaths were tight in my corset. Finley looked me over carefully. He had become a brother I never had how he looked after me. If I wasn’t so distraught and confused, I’d throw my arms around him and let him know how much it means to me.

Alaneo approached and saw my confusion. “What the hell happened, Your Majesty?”

“I-I don’t know. I was here, but I wasn’t! Everyone was gone when I came out of the washroom. Then Carson, showed up, told me I had to come with him, and I knew something was wrong. I told him no, and he chased me! Gods, he chased me until I threw myself back into the washroom and fell out here!”

Everett, the bulkier of the three, picked me up, one arm under my legs and the other behind my back. Then, being thankful because I was not sure if I could walk, he carried me back to the throne room with three other angry fae. Everett’s nostrils flared and held me tightly. He was so protective of me, but I wanted Osirus.

Osirus’s back was to us as he continued to talk to the Chief gnome. Sensing my presence and knowing I had entered the room, he turned around to smile, but it quickly faded when he saw me in Everett’s arms. “What’s the meaning of this?” Osirus yelled, and I wiggled out of Everett’s arms.

Running to him, I grabbed onto his neck and pulled myself closer. “Someone tried to take me,” I whispered. Osirus’s grip became strong as he gripped me.

“Who?” he growled.

“Carson, from the Crimson Shadows Pack.” Alaneo walked up to Osirus and put a hand on his shoulder to whisper in his ear.

“Not here, Osirus. Let me get a witch to check the enchantment and find the source.”

“Good, I’ll contact Clara.” Alaneo walked away, and Osirus grunted, causing Alaneo to turn.

“Tomorrow,” Osirus spoke harshly. Alaneo nodded his head reluctantly once and walked out the door while the Red Fury stiffened.

“This concludes our meetings for the day,” Osirus spoke. “We will resume tomorrow at eight a.m.” Murmurs were heard around the room as Osirus pulled me to his side to leave the room.

Back in Osirus’s private office, he had me sit on his lap while Alaneo finished his research. Finley was pacing with his sword at his side, fiddling with the handle. Everett continued to sit in his chair and stare at the floor while Braxton looked out the window.

Osirus made me tell him the whole story. No detail could be left out, and he made me recite the story repeatedly to make sure. It was confirmed that it had been an enchantment, but from who, where, and if Carson was bewitched were still up for debate.

The look Carson had in his eyes was barren, empty. I knew it wasn’t the same wolf I had met just weeks ago. He was so fun, full of life, and happy to be where he was. He obeyed Alpha Kane and was loyal to the Luna.

“Your Highness.” Braxton opened the window to find Leah. The pixie flew in and fell on the desk. Osirus held me close while Finley fetched some water, and Leah hopped up quickly to guzzle it down before a sequence of bells filled the room. It was frantic and wailing. Osirus’s gaze was harsh as she continued to talk while he nodded, understanding every word. The Red Fury sat and watched the interaction, but their faces gave nothing away.

“Thank you, Leah. Please rest.” Without another ring, she left the office for our living room.

“The wolves and dragons are on their way; they will arrive just before dawn. This will all be over by the end of the week.” I squeezed Osirus’s hand, and he pecked me on the cheek. “As for Carson, he asked for leave three days after we left the Crimson Shadows Pack and was supposed to report back yesterday. Alpha Kane has a search team in place. Even his own posse hasn’t seen him.” Osirus frowned.

“Why would he come here? I don’t understand,” I asked.

“You are so blind, Melina. You are a beautiful woman. I’m sure he wanted to have you come back with him,” Everett spoke while Osirus gripped me tighter.

“Mine,” he growled. The hair on my arms stood up, and Osirus palmed my thigh, his nose in my neck.

“No, that isn’t it. He talked about finding his mate and how he looks forward to the day! Something is wrong. He must be possessed or something,” I said, panicked. The door slammed open, and Alaneo walked through the door and did a quick bow to Osirus.

“An entire coven is working against us, Your Majesty. The Blood Coven near Vermillion. The people are following their leader, Sorceress Prinna. She pulled her powers from the coven to create the Enchantment of Projection.” The room stiffened, but Osirus relaxed back in his chair.

“Thank you, Alaneo. Where did you get this information from?”

“Pluto, the seer. He said it was information that should be known,” said Alaneo. Osirus pursed his lips.

“What’s a seer?” I asked quietly. Alaneo gave a small smile.

“A seer can predict the future but is only allowed to tell certain things. We don’t know who will win this fight, but we know he can tell certain parts of the future. We may be on the winning side with him giving us this tidbit.”

“How do you know he isn’t lying, though?” My trust issues come to the forefront.

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