A Fairy's Guardian (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 4

!!Trigger warning within this chapter: talk of scars. Like the previous chapter, I'll include the caution signs when that part pops up and when it ends. I love you guys 💝!!

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I don't know what I expected to happen when Levi accepted his new role, but the pain reappearing on my wrist was quite unexpected. It lasted a brief moment, but felt like an agonizing eternity. I watched my mark transition from crimson red, to jet black, permanently tying me to my Guardian.

"Great, now that I've been branded like a cow, what happens next?" I asked the three men in the room.

"Well first and foremost, you'll  be moving in with me." Levi answered smoothly. His arms folded across his chest, staring down at my short frame. "Normally we would take that part slowly but considering you live on the streets, you'll stay here. Where it is much safer and I can keep an eye on you."

My eyes narrowed at this. "You mean to tell me that, although I've been forgiven of all crime, I'm stuck staying at the castle anyways? I feel like I'm being bamboozled left and right here."

The griffen snorted, clearly amused by my misfortune.

"Relax, the living quarters for the guards are almost like apartments. We have our own bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and all that jazz. You won't come across anyone else in the castle unless you wanted too."

With a tightened jaw, I crossed my arms. "Remind me to start asking for details the next time I try to make a deal."

The King cleared his throat as a polite command for the room's attention.

"Well now that everything is all settled. Levi, get your new charge bathed and fed," he ordered in a tone that left zero room for arguments. "Start with light foods for now, her stomach isn't used to proper meals yet. Quinn, if you could do us a favor and ask one of the maids to get some properly fitting clothes for the little one, that would be wonderful."

"What's wrong with my clothes?" I piped up defensively while looking down at my attire.

"Other than the fact they look like they are swallowing you whole?" he asked with a small chuckle. "You need something clean to change into after your bath. The ones you're wearing will getting triple washed. Who knows what kind of bacteria is all over them. Now shoo so I can get back to my kingly duties."

"You mean so you can play candy crush, without your princess trying to swipe your phone?" Levi asks teasingly while opening the door for us all to leave.

"What? No! I would never do that to my little Ember." He says unconvincingly as he slid his phone under a stack of papers.

"Whatever you say, Dad. Come, Shailyn, let's get you a nice warm bath. I'm sure you haven't had one in years."

I look at King Viktor hesitantly. He gave a gentle nod of encouragement and nuged me towards my newly assigned caregiver.

Levi guided me out of the throne room with a small smirk still playing at the corner of his lips. He had this planned out this whole time.

"The King, he has a little as well?" I asked my Guardian as he expertly weaved us through a series of hallways.

"He does indeed. They found each other five years ago. Ember tried sneaking onto the palace grounds after she saw one of the guard dogs. You should've seen the look on my Dad's face when he found our most vicious Mastiff licking her face."

I stopped walking for a moment, gulping at the thought of hounds mistaking me for a chew toy. "There is dogs here?"

He nods, unbothered by the abrupt stop. "Two Mastiffs and two great Danes. They won't harm you though, if that's what you're worried about. They have a soft spot for littles, and can sense one long before anyone else does."