The Hunchback's Fairy King Problem ✔

14 ABSOLVED

Marva watched on, appalled.

"I for one have no problem stealing stolen land," Matax declared.

After a long pause, Matax made his way down the hardly-used path and held out his hands to Jeze.

She blinked at him but once then charged, tripped, and stumbled into his hold.

Matax dipped to catch her and laughed as he swooped her up. "You look absolutely frightfully stupid as you try this."

Jeze grinned wide.

At each smile, Matax's eyes lit up. Marva watched them, slowly dying inside.

Everything about their presence was unbearable, especially when Matax pressed their foreheads together then stole a kiss. "So," he whispered, "the Jaffo suggested we cuddle first then try to fuck. I think it's a good idea."

Vadde gasped. "What?" Her eyes settled on Wyrn who eyed her in kind. "Is this really the advice you should be giving these two?"

"And what's wrong with it?" Wyrn challenged.

For a brief moment, Vadde had no response. Finally, she said, "I suppose—I suppose it's not a terrible idea. But why is it our business—?"

"It's not our business and it's not mine. You're the one making it into far more than it is."

The tension had Marva looking between the couple. A pit in her stomach formed and she sagged.

What was happening? Marva was unsure, but she fell to her knees and held her gut. Picking her head up to observe this crowd took everything in her, and she was greeted with a large face and a grin.

Matax.

His black eyes scanned the cage—he couldn't see her in this form, but he said, "If you're feeling sick. You're in for a slow death, night fairy. Stay out of my way."

"Matax," Jeze called from a distance. "I think I have to go."

With an instant grin, Matax stood. "Go where?"

"Go. Go go," Jeze said, unsure. As expected, she broke out into a giggle again.

Matax approached her and crouched. "Come on. I hate walking with you."

Jeze regarded his back for some time. "Oh, this is nice. Isn't it?"

With a small jump, she clambered on. Matax was sure to tease Vadde and her husband before bustling into the brush. That left the three big people.

The hunchback's anger came off him in waves. Each time he shot off an insult, Marva felt sick. But it was when Vadde answered with equal hate that a pain shot through Marva's body.

It was them...this couple. Their tested love was...painful to absorb.

And Marva was absorbing it. She used all her strength to cling to the cage bars and entreated, "Prince Sorem? Prince Sorem, please. I need...I need some distance from these two. Please. They're...."

But Sorem lingered in Wyrn's presence, bathing Marva in that anger and hurt. She slid to the cage floor, winded. And by the time he turned and caught up with Vadde whose cries of anguish resounded, even before she'd shed that actual tear, Marva flopped down, struggling to compose herself.

What was happening? And why didn't she know?

The world faded. When it came back, Matax and Jeze had returned, laughing while shaking their feet.

Nostrils flared, Wyrn asked, "What is that smell?"

Jeze laughed. "I missed," she answered to which Matax let out a hearty chuckle.