A Fairy's Guardian (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 19

Third person pov:

A total of seven council members sat behind a long, extravagantly carved wooden table in the grand conference room. Four men and three women, each belonging to a different species, had gathered for one purpose: to determine the future of one small, seemingly insignificant fairy.

The path to becoming an Elder was far from an easy one. Candidates were required to endure a series of trials designed to push their strength, wisdom, intelligence, and constitution to their absolute limits. It was not a title that could be purchased with coin, nor one granted through popularity or status. An Elder's position had to be earned through blood, sweat, and unwavering perseverance.

When an Elder passed away, a new trial was called. Many would answer, each hoping to claim the vacant seat. But not many lived to tell the tale.

Erik stood at ease just outside the conference room, Axel at his side. Both wore matching suits, complete with dark blue ties. It was an unusual sight, seeing a mischief fairy dressed so formally. Even more unusual was the serious expression that had settled over Axel's face.

The slim gold watch wrapped around his left wrist glinted beneath the corridor's warm lighting. Every few seconds, he glanced down at it, his fingers twitching impatiently against the cuff of his sleeve.

"Relax, bud. Their presence isn't required for another fifteen minutes," Erik murmured, keeping his voice low enough that only his little could hear. "I tried to warn you we'd be here too early."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting the King to require a century-long private meeting beforehand," Axel muttered, his gaze fixed on the closed doors. "I honestly thought the fairy capable of mass destruction would be a little more important than whatever they're gossiping about in there. Her powers should've awakened by now, which means we're running on borrowed time."

The older griffin released a heavy sigh. He understood Axel's concern all too well.

"It isn't gossiping," Erik assured him. "They're discussing the best approach. Our princess isn't just a shadow fairy. She's been through lot of trauma, and is still trying to understand the world around her. We can't expect her to remain calm when we start talking about powers she doesn't even know how to control."

Axel glanced up at him, a deep frown pulling at his brows. "Is it even going to be possible to keep her from panicking?"

Erik opened his mouth to respond, but the sound of approaching footsteps drew both their attention down the corridor.

Shailyn appeared first, walking beside Prince Levi. She looked slightly out of place among the polished stone walls and imposing portraits of former rulers, her small frame swallowed by the slightly oversized formal attire someone had insisted she wear.

Levi kept close to her side, his posture straight and confident, though the slight tension in his jaw suggested he was no more comfortable with the situation than the other guardians were. One hand rested protectively near Shailyn's shoulder without quite touching her.

"Are we late?" Shailyn asked as soon as she spotted Erik and Axel.

Axel's eyes immediately flicked to his watch. "No. You're early."

"Then why do you look like you're about to bite someone?" Levi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because we've been standing here for-"

"Fifteen minutes," Erik interrupted smoothly.

"Thirty-seven," Axel corrected.

Erik gave him a pointed look.