Shadow Shifter (On Hold)

Chapter 6

Aakansha's POV 

"Hayden?" I called out as I made my way into my room, slowly opening the door. He was laying on my bed, already asleep after he came in here just 5 minutes ago. I laughed quietly as I sat down on the side of the bed next to him, running my fingers gently over his cheek, brushing some hair out of his face. I moaned as he moved his hand slowly up to mine, pressing my hand against his cheek as he smiled. 

"I waited up for you, but that tired me out." He said with a small chuckle. I gave a light laugh as he yawned. 

"I can see that." I said with a small smile. "I hate to break it to you but you're going to have to make some room for me." I said, flipping off my shoes as he opened his arms for me. As I laid down he pulled me close to him, his heart beat lulling me slowly to sleep with a smile on my face. Just as I was about to close my eyes, my sister burst into the room yelling something about Byrons in our village. 

"Whoa, Saisha, slow down. What's going on?" I asked, sitting up with Hayden. 

"It's Byron. They're in the village." She said quickly, making me jump off the bed pulling on my shoes. 

"Where are the fighters?" 

"They're already defending the village. We moved the woman and children down underneath the Royal House with the women servants already. They're safe but we need to move quickly. There are guards downstairs waiting for us. That's not all though." She said, stepping closer as Hayden stood, placing his hand reassuringly on my back. "They said they want the both of us and Kora." She said hurriedly, practically pulling Hayden and I out of the room and down the large stairs, into the main living room of the Royal House. We met a large, bulky looking guard at the front door as Saisha had said. 

"My Queens, we need to hurry. The Byron are already pushing further into the village towards us. We need to get you to safety with the others." He said, starting to lead us to the secret tunnel underneath the house to the safe house under ground. 

"No." I said, making the guard stop. "I will not leave my people to protect me from these people. It is my job to protect them, not the other way around." I said, looking at the guard. "I will stay and fight with my people." 

"My Queen, with all respect, if you die in battle, you will hurt your people more than you will help them. We need to move." He said, stepping in between me and the front door. I took a step closer to him with a cold look, making him freeze. 

"I am not leaving. Now, you will move out of my way. You can either help me or not, but I am not going to stand and watch as my men die." I said, starting to feel warmth sink into my palms from the fire that my anger summoned from my powers. Slowly, the guard bowed his head and moved to the side. 

"I will help you, my queen." He said, making me nod my head to him in thanks. I felt a gentle hand touch my shoulder as I turned to look at Hayden. 

"I'm coming with you." He said as he took my hand, making me smile to him. I felt my sister take my other hand as she stepped forward. She gave me a sad smile as she nodded, ready to follow me. The guard stepped in front of us as he spoke over his shoulder, facing the door.