A Griffin's Voice: Finding Her Path

Chapter 4

Fate of the Alliance

Fawn’s P.o.V.

It was a long sleepless night last night. For both Fox and me. Fox and I were terrified to sleep after the movie that the princes put on last night. Granted my brother tried his best to hide the fact that he was terrified all night, but it was easy enough to tell that he was.

This morning, we get up early like we do every morning. We quickly get dressed and walk calmly down to the dining room as we joke around in a link with our griffin spirits. When we get to the dining room, we stand behind our chairs to quietly wait.

That is where we are still standing ten minutes later. Finally, the princes and their parents start to come into the dining room. All fifteen stop and stare at us before taking their own seats. Carter speaks up after a minute of looking at us while we look down respectfully. “You both know that you can sit down, right?”

Neither of us speak or move at all. Which is exactly how the next fifteen minutes go. The princes and their parents spend that time trying to convince us to sit down. But we just continue to refuse to utter a word, look up, or move even a centimeter.

Finally, our parents walk into the dining room and sit down. “You may now sit down,” our father snarls. We instantly sit down, but we keep our heads turned down as we sit with stiff backs. “Glad to see that you two can at least remember all of the training and respect that was beat into you insolent cubs.”

My brother and I don’t offer any argument. We keep our mouths shut since we don’t want to cause ourselves anymore pain after the issues yesterday, but sadly King Adam had a different idea. “King Sebastian, I actually want to talk to you about an issue that we are having with this alliance.”

“What have my insolent cubs done now,” my father roars as he turns his blazing eyes towards us. We both shrink down in our seats. Fox grabs my hand. I can feel him shaking slightly. I rub my thumb against offering some reassurance. He does it right back as we silently wait for the wrath from our father.

“These two are perfect angels. The issue is about the abuse that is being done to them both,” King Damon growls. We both release a sigh knowing that this is only going to make everything worse. “It isn’t acceptable to injure two amazing young griffins, especially when it is being done within any of our kingdoms. Also, if you want our sons to accept your daughter as their chosen mate……it needs to stop. Otherwise, I will make sure that the boys don’t accept her and that they take back the rejections to their fated mates. I will not stand for the young prince and princess to be abused. This is stopping now. Yesterday was the last time.”

I look up slightly and stare at the princes to gauge their reactions to King Damon’s words. They all look pissed off at what is being said, but they don’t necessarily have the same reaction. Avalon just simply looks pissed off. Seth on the other hand looks pissed and heartbroken at the same time. Carter looks mainly sad, but his eyes are burning with rage. Dean looks like he wants to kill my father, but King Damon’s words are starting to sink in as he turns his head towards his father. Archer, somehow, looks like all of the above at the same time. These males might not actually be as bad as I first thought.

I hear the beginnings of my father starting to snarl at me and I quickly look down. King Victor slams a fist down onto the table cutting him off. “Enough of this! We want this alliance, but she is not to be harmed again. Prince Fox is not to be harmed again either. All of us have taken a liking to both of them and Princess Fawn is to be mated to our sons. We don’t need a mutilated queen. Neither of them will be harmed again, especially within our kingdoms, King Sebastian.”

“Also, they are not to be denied medical attention or food again,” Queen Daniella adds softly.

Fox and I stop eating and let out silent sighs since we already know what is about to happen. “Fox. Fawn. Do either of you need medical attention for any reason,” our father snarls lowly at us.

We both know that there is only one right answer to this question without being beaten. “Not at all, father,” Fox begins, as he sits trembling.

“We are completely fine and have no need for medical attention, father,” I finish as I tremble in fear as well.

Our father smirks evilly at us and we both sit up even straighter knowing that our lives are about to get even worse for us because of these damn royals. s**t! I know exactly what this look means, and it never ends well for us. “Perfect! Now, I don’t know why they are concerned at all, but I do know that you two have something to do with it. I think for a starter punishment no food today for the trouble you insolent cubs have caused me this morning.” We both look down, knowing that isn’t going to be all. “And since a whipping isn’t okay according to these royals, I guess I get to be a little more creative.”

We both pale at his words. Neither of us like where this is about to go. Like at all. “I have a different idea for a punishment though! A fun idea! Ten reps of fifty push-ups. Ten reps of a hundred suicides, and I mean full suicides. Two hours of planks. And to finish it off a twenty-mile run. Oh, and that is each. Also, you have to be done by 10:00 tonight or it restarts tomorrow morning.”

We both look up at him horrified for a moment before Fox tries to protest. “But father-“

“SILENCE! I do believe I have told you both what I expect out of you for the day as a punishment, so why are you two still sitting here? Get going,” he hisses at us after interrupting my brother.

I quietly get to my feet with a resigned look and nudge Fox. My brother sighs but climbs to his own feet with a resigned look knowing that there is no choice in this for us. Queen Becky and Queen Heather quickly get up and come to us. They pull us into them to protect us from our father and the punishments.

We tremble slightly against them as we see the rage in our father’s eyes, but also due to the fact that touch has never been a good thing for any griffin. King James quickly stands up. “Enough of this, King Sebastian. Otherwise, we will forfeit the alliance and declare war. Both of these twins will remain with us if we declare war as well.”

King Archer looks at my brother and me. “Both of you need to sit back down and eat your breakfast. I am not going to play this game with your father this morning. Regardless of whether he wants to play this game or not. Now, sit down and eat, cubs.” He turns towards our father and glares at him. Then he starts to snarl his next words at him. “King Sebastian, this stops now, or I will be going to the councils of shifter and bringing child crimes against you.”

The queens are all urging us to sit back down and eat as we stand silently still trembling in fear. Finally, our father speaks up and we look down at the floor at his snarl. “We want this alliance to happen. Sit down and eat. NOW!”

My brother and I bolt back to our seats and stare at the table for a few moments. Finally, I glance over at my brother and notice that he seems to be close to panic attack. I open a link with him as quickly as possible, knowing that I need to give him all the support that is possible. But I am also hoping to find the strength to endure this day from him. Foxie Boy?

I know, Fawn. I know. I am fine, or at least I will be. Just scared. Just please ignore everything that has happened during breakfast so far. Please. Link with me. Focus on this. Focus on our plans for the day.

Second opinion time? We didn’t get to do it last night like we planned to since we watched a movie with the princes.

Sure! Do you want to discuss each on separately or all together?

Can we discuss each prince separately? Please. They are all so different from each other. It would just help to distinguish between each prince, I think.

Of course! I will start by saying that Seth seems like the best male, but Carter and Archer seem like the nest best options. Dean and Avalon seem like good male, but no like the other three. So, who first?

Seth.

Seth……he seems friendly and kind. Like super friendly. Suffocatingly friendly. I think that he will be a great male for you to mate with if you decide to accept any of these males. I honestly think that you should accept him at the very least.

I do agree that Seth seems……absolutely amazing. I am uncertain about his father, though. His mother on the other hand seems as amazing as her son. Carter next!

Carter……I think that Carter seems like one of the next best males to be mates with. He obviously wants to get to know you. He seems kind, gentle, and loyal, but he also seems to enjoy kissing up to you.

His parents seem to like us from what I can tell as well. It is important to me that they like me, but that they also like you. I need the princes to like you as well. You are very important to me. Let’s do Archer next.

Archer……the wolf prince. He is honestly the one that has surprised me the most. I hated him at first, but now that I have gotten to know him a little bit……he isn’t that bad at all. I hate him a lot less and think he is easily tied with Carter, but he could go either way at this point still.

I pretty much agree with your description of Archer, but I will add one thing. I love it when you spoil me, so when he said that he wanted to spoil me……well it made him seem a little better. I know that isn’t all that matters, but I do like the idea. I notice my brother rolling his eyes and chuckle in our link. Dean now.

Alright! Dean……I won’t lie to you, Little Sister. I was on the fence about him yesterday, but after getting to know him a little bit……I do like him more. I mean he did try to comfort you last night, but so did Avalon.

That is true, but Avalon did a much better job at comforting me. I just don’t entirely know how to feel about Dean yet. I mean, he flirts a lot, but he seems serious and protective at the same time. Is it just a game to him? He is a strange contradiction that I can’t quite figure out. Last of all: Avalon.

I think he is the hardest one, but I will try. Avalon Kensington……he comforted you a lot better than Dean last night. He seems to care about you on some level, but I am unsure on what level. But he said very little about himself and just seemed bored and dismissive. I think that he will easily be the hardest prince to get to know on a deeper level. I just can’t determine yet if he will be a good mate or not.

He is so quiet and reserved. Like you said, he is going to be the hardest to get to know, I fear. What is your opinion all together?

My opinion of the princes all together is that I think they would be good mates. I think that they could really prove to be good mates for you. I think you just need to take it slowly.

I nod subtly as I eat in silence for a few minutes before speaking through our link again. Do you think that we are going to need permission to shift and let our griffins out for a bit? I know we do at home, but do we here?

My brother seems to think about the question for a few moments before going to respond, but it is at that moment that our father notices us linking. He slams a fist down onto the table causing the other royal to jump startled, but we jump in fear. “How dare you insolent cub link?!?! Enough of this linking s**t! Neither of you asked for permission to link each other!” If only he knew how often that we secretly link with each other.

We both silently look down at the table, but then my brother decides to take his life into his hands. He lifts his head and talks back. “We were only linking because we wanted to ask you something, father, and we are unsure if we have to or not. We are wondering if we need permission to shift and let our griffins out for a flight while we are here. Do we need permission like we do back home?”

Our father looks murderously at us. Fox, being the smart prince he is, wisely lowers his head quickly as his bravery vanishes into dust. Queen Becky suddenly replies before our father can. “Of course! You kids don’t need permission to shift at all. It is part of being a shifter. Enjoy it! I bet the boys would love to show you both around as well.” I look up and notice that all of the princes are nodding enthusiastically at the idea.

Fox and I look towards our father nervously, knowing he decides though. He immediately starts to snarl, but he doesn’t offer an argument. “Fine. DO whatever you insolent cubs wat to do, but don’t expect me to not retaliate when we get back home, Fox.” Our parents storm out of the dining room.

We lower our heads, knowing where we stand. If we shift and fly around a bit, Fox will reap the consequences later on. “Fox?”

“What?”

“I don’t want to leave you to suffer alone. You’re my brother and best friend.”

He offers me a small smile. “It’s okay, Fawn. I will happily take the consequences of what we do when I go home. A little freedom now, a lot of pain later? It is totally worth it.”

I chuckle softly and smile at him. “So, Foxie Boy, shall we let Maximus and Mystery out then? We don’t have to fly; I think they would be content to just lay on the balcony with the wind in their feathers and fur.”

“Hell yeah, I do! It has been like six months since we have been allowed to shift. It will be so worth whatever they do to me later on, because it will make our griffin spirits so happy in the moment.” I notice a huge grin on his face as he enthusiastically replies. It is a rare sight for either of us to smile so freely. I mean, it isn’t ever a fake smile, but a real, genuine smile.

One of the queens clears her throat to grab our attention, immediately our gazes flash towards Queen Victoria. “How about you both go tonight after dinner? Spend some time today with the princes and get to know them a little bit better.”

“Boys, take the young princess on individual dates over the next few days. Make sure she has time to spend with her brother daily still, but it will help you each bond with her on a deeper level. While one of you is out on a date with her, the other four can spend that time hanging out with the young prince and getting to know him on a deeper level. Show them what they are missing in life, boys,” Queen Hope recommends softly and eagerly.

The princes grin at the idea. My brother and I share a small smile before nodding. We watch the princes stand up and we follow them out of the dining room. Avalon takes the lead immediately. He takes us to the living room where we all sit down to talk together. This is going to be an interesting conversation, I think.