“Oh, pardon me, Master Ash!” Naia cried, her overlarge eyes seeming even more prominent. She lifted the duster up to obscure her vision, but did so in such a vigorous manner that she smacked herself in the face, earning a mouthful of feathers in the process. She lowered the duster as she blew feathers from her mouth.

“And Master Wren too!” She added as almost an afterthought. She curtsied tentatively, a bright pink blush of embarrassment evident on her face and backed toward the door as if intending to make a hasty exit.

“I’ll just leave you-”

Her words were cut off by Ash’s annoyed growl. “That’s not necessary, Naia.”

The redhead had ignored Wren’s embarrassed attempts to push the larger male off of him, but he finally pushed away from Wren. The taller male stood and extended a hand, offering to help Wren to his feet. Wren hesitated, but finally took hold of Ash’s hand and allowed the redhead to pull him upright.

Wren stood awkwardly for a moment before he shuffled toward the doorway. Ash was again seated on the bed, a cigarette in hand. The redhead struck a lighter and held the tip of the cigarette in the flame. He snapped the lighter closed once the tip began to burn and leaned back on the bed. Resting against the pillows, he took a long draw from the cigarette and crossed one ankle over the other.

“You can go about your duties. My bride was just leaving.”

“Would you like for me to show you to your room, Master Wren?” Naia offered, drawing his attention away from Ash and the smeared blue paint on the redhead’s tanned skin. Paint that Wren had smeared with his own hands as he’d clutched at Ash’s arms and shoulders.

Wren turned to look at the girl. He smiled. “Sure. I’d appreciate that, Naia. I’m bound to get lost without any assistance.”

After Wren accepted her invitation, he glanced down and was aghast to see blue paint all over the front of his shirt. His palms were also smeared with blue paint. Evidence that he’d almost fallen prey to his husband’s charm.

                                                             * * * *

Wren went to bed early later in the evening, but found himself wide awake due to hunger. He hadn’t eaten very much during breakfast and he’d turned down having something brought to his room due to his desire to get the blue paint off of him as soon as possible.

Even at breakfast, he’d picked at his meal. Now, his stomach was protesting his lack of food loudly.

He remembered Ash’s warning about not wandering the corridors, but how dangerous could it really be? Wren remembered what he’d seen so far, first at the brunch and then at the Hunt and he decided it could be very dangerous for him in the hallways at night. He wanted to heed Ash’s warning, but his growling stomach disagreed with that prerogative.

It wasn’t that terrible of a long walk to the dining room and he didn’t remember taking that many turns as Ungi lead him on the journey there. He was sure the kitchen wasn’t far from the dining room. He could be there and back in no time at all.

Decided, Wren climbed out of bed and slid his feet into his house slippers. He pulled on a loose-fitting robe for warmth and ventured out of his room.

Out in the corridor, Wren was pleased to find that the wall sconces lit his path as he moved along the corridor. He was optimistic for a while, but after wandering for what seems like hours and never managing to find the kitchen – or the dining room, for that matter – his confidence began to wan. He considered heading back to his room, but really didn’t know where it was located.

Yeah, this hadn’t been the brightest idea…

Lost in the corridors, he wandered about, feeling very much like he was again in the maze. He turned a corner and was suddenly met with the blond from the brunch.

“Well, if it isn’t Ash’s human bride…” The man said as he flashed a toothy grin. Wren noticed the man sported sharp incisors similar to Ash’s.

Wren didn’t speak to the man, only opted to walk past him as briskly as possible, but a hand snaked out and seized his arm, effectively halting his forward momentum.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” The blond asked.

“Let go of me!” Wren snapped as he attempted to jerk his arm out of the blond’s hold, but the man tightened his grip on Wren’s arm until his fingers bit into his flesh. Wren gritted his teeth against the discomfort. The man’s hold was supernaturally strong and he used that strength to purposely inflict pain. His strange yellow eyes were alight with pleasure at the knowledge that he was hurting Wren.

Wren tried to push the blond away from him with his free hand, but the yellowed-eyed man seized his wrist and tightened his grip until Wren cried out, partly from pain and partly out of fear. He was certain the blond intended to break his wrist.

Wren knew Ash held supernatural strength, had felt it every time the redhead held him in his arms, but Ash hadn’t used his inhuman strength against him in this manner.

“What have we here?” Ash’s voice startled Wren. It startled the blond too, judging by the way the man immediately released his hold on Wren.

Rubbing his sore wrist, Wren turned to see Ash standing in the doorway. It was the middle of the night, but the redhead looked as if he hadn’t even gone near a bed yet. He was wearing a pair of jeans, a green turtleneck, and a furious scowl.

Amber eyes settled on Wren.

“I thought I told you to stay in your room?” He questioned, but before Wren had a chance to retort, those amber eyes turn to glare at the blond. The redhead’s voice hardened.

“And I distinctly remember telling you to stay away from him.” The blond quickly stepped away from Wren. He sauntered over to where Ash stood.

“Kind of a bit over-protective, aren’t we, Ash? Especially over a mere annoyance to be gotten rid of.”

Ash glared at the blond. “Just stay away from him, Landon.”

The blond smirked as he came to a stop beside Ash. He placed one hand on the redhead’s shoulder and leaned close.

“I remember when you used to be more than willing to share your pets with me. What makes this one so special?” Landon said just loud enough for Wren to pick up every word.

Ash didn’t pull away from him. Instead, the redhead turned to look the blond right in the eye.

“We’ve been friends for a long time.” Ash said.

There was a husky chuckle from the blond. “Yes, and sometimes much, much more…”

Landon’s hand trailed from Ash’s shoulder, down his chest, and to his stomach. Wren was certain the blond intended to venture further, but Ash grabbed his wrist and thrust it away from him.

“Heed my words, Landon. We were playmates as children and my mother’s always been fond of you. For those reasons, I’d hate to have your blood on my hands.” Ash’s voice turned deadly serious and his upper lip curled into a threatening snarl, revealing his incisors. “But you know I wouldn’t let sentiment stand in my way.”