The Queen's Guard

Chapter 2

"Princess, wake up princess..." I groaned and pushed the massive snout out of my face and tried to hide my face under my pillow. I felt a cold nose on my neck and instantly shivered twisting to get away from the cold wet dog nose. He was standing over me locking me in place underneath him and I groaned again at the rude awakening.

"Not cool Fane!" I said batting his wolfish head away from my face yet again but was too slow as he pinned my hand down with his paws. He looked down at me with his emerald eyes and I could tell that something was wrong. Even in his dog form, I was still able to read his expressions and I could tell he was holding something from me and it instantly woke me up from my somewhat groggy state.

"Fane? What is it?"

"Princess, we just caught wind of a fire on the outskirts of Krava we are getting a lot of talk about refugees. Most have taken shelter in Sonactus but even they are asking for our help. Your father was getting ready to go into a council meeting we might still be able to catch the tail end of the meet if you hurry"

He then backed up letting me sit up slightly before whining for me to hurry up and get dressed before we missed the whole meeting. Sighing I got out from under the sheets and set my feet upon the cold floor before stretching and making my way back to my closet to change.

"My lady, may I enter?" I could feel my body stiffen hearing his voice, it was rough and yet soft I've only ever heard him use it with family. I turned around in my small closet to look at the entrance, I could see a shadow of his form wavering just out of reach.

"Steffan? What has you in your human form?" I questioned stepping out into the light of my room to see Fane's older brother leaning against the wall his gaze constantly moving around the room. He was handsome but wasn't my type, he had that bad boy vibe and a temper to match. His black hair was starting to curl behind his ears now that it was getting long again and just like the rest of his family he was tall at least six feet and much taller than I. His eyes were the lightest blue and reminded me of the winter sky reflected upon an icy lake. His frosty gaze landed on me as I walked towards him, I grew to like the silent and watchful gaze, but most grew uncomfortable under those eyes.

"The king's council are here I figured they would be more at peace without my other form being present," he remarked casting himself off the wall with a slight smirk as I rolled my eyes.

"You are still a brute no matter what form you take Steffan, your presence always unnerves people"

"I've tried telling him that Princess, and yet he still refuses to listen to his dear brother on such matters" Fane replied lazily rising from one of the chairs deeper in my room to walk over to us. My breath caught in my throat as he approached and I tried to hide it but Steffan noticed and rolled his eyes.

"Come, my lady, we best get to that meeting before its finished" he grumbled leading our small group to the high court. Fane never left my side keeping at least one hand on me as we walked through the twisting hallways guiding me as if I didn't know this castle like the back of my hand. It was comforting but was getting annoying every time Steffan would tense as someone walked by causing Fane to grab my arm on instinct. As dogs, they weren't nearly as sensitive to sounds and chomping at the bit to keep me safe. At least Fane wasn't as bad as Steffan, he seemed to be more at ease with this form maybe because he wasn't as big and wasn't afraid of tight spaces like Steffan. We had just gotten to the doors of the high court when Steffan dropped to my side and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Fane tipped his head listening to the clamor on the other side of the door and tapped my wrist. A signal I knew too well, I dipped my head with a sigh and stood tall placing my hand on the door, I could hear the argument from inside and knew this could lead to bloodshed. Nodding my head, the brothers stepped on either side of me as I pushed the doors open with a loud groan signaling my entrance to the council. The room went silent as I entered flanked by my Chaskel, I looked right and left capturing the eyes of all the members before ending with the King himself. He was seated in his high-backed chair with his hands wrapped around the arms, his knuckles turning white with fury as the argument continued within seconds of me entering. His face was getting red in the cheeks and I could tell Ruslan wanted him out of there but he was the protection of the king in life and death matters not in petty arguments over land.