A Griffin's Voice: Finding Her Path

Chapter 2

A Whipping and a Dinner

Fox’s P.o.V.

My sister and I walk behind our parents, while a guard quickly shows us to the room that Fawn and I will be sharing. Then he leads us to the room that our parents will be in down the hall. I share a look with Fawn. Both of us wish that it was a farther distance.

We follow our parents into their room, knowing that we are about to get a griffin punishment. As soon as the door is shut, he begins to yell at us. “How dare either of you think such things? How dare you insolent cubs say such things? Especially in front of other royals! You both humiliated us! A hundred lashes each for such offending behavior. Max and Evan will be waiting on the ship for you both. Go put your bags in your room and grab jeans and T-shirts for afterwards. And as you both know, there is no medical attention afterwards, unless you two do it yourselves. Now, GET LOST!”

We quickly and quietly bolt out of the room as fast as we can. We go to our room to put our bags away and to grab our clothes. Then we slowly, yet quickly, make our way to the ship to endure our punishment griffin style. We are being punished for speaking up. My sister looks up at me as we walk. “So, Foxie Boy, what are your thoughts about these princes so far? First impression and everything.”

I look down at my baby sister for a moment before looking out across the river that we are walking along. I quickly think over her question. Personally, I am not really certain what to think yet. On the one hand, three of the five we completely silent and had been leering at my sister with obvious lust. On the other hand, two of the five seemed relatively okay. I mean, Prince Dean did call her ‘beautiful’. I love that he seemed to want to compliment her, but he just seemed to think that he also outright deserves her as his mate. That only leads the last prince. He hadn’t introduced himself, but he did seem to hear the veiled threat in our father’s unconcealed rage. He seemed to care enough to want to protect my sister and want answers at the same time. In my opinion, he might be the only prince that is worthy of my baby sister at this point……but it could all be an act as well.

I sigh and look back down at her. I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “It is hard to say at this point since we haven’t really interacted with them at all, but if you want my first impression, I will warn you that it isn’t the greatest. Prince Dean……I am not a fan of at all. He complimented you, but the way he stared at you……it seemed like he thought he just deserves you because he is a prince, and you are a princess. That they all deserve you. Three of the others just outright leered at you with lust filled eyes. Those four just seemed to be mentally undressing you, which is absolutely disgusting and unbefitting of a prince! Then we come to the final prince……the one that I am most confused by. He didn’t introduce himself, but he seemed to prioritize what is most important. Your safety. He heard the veiled threat from father, I think. He seemed to care and want to protect you. I think it would be better to rediscuss this after dinner, honestly. Let me get a second first impressions when we are interacting with these princes.”

“If we even make it to dinner at all after this. A hundred lashes and dinner is in less than an hour. If we are late, father will be even angrier with us. We might die tonight,” she huffs out. I quietly chuckle at her obvious annoyance. I pull my sister even closer and give her a side hug. Goddess, I love my sister more than anything. I am so lucky to have her at my side.

Fawn’s P.o.V.

Thankfully, we are heading back to the castle. If we hurry, we will make it to the dining room before our parents. We race into the castle and instantly slow to a respected, dignified walk befitting of royals just before entering the dining room. We are both in T-shirts and jeans befitting of royals.

Immediately, the five princes and their parents look up at us. I can clearly see the concern in the princes’ eyes as they stare at me. Be fore any of them can speak though, our parents walk into the room. Thankfully, Fox and I are already in our places. Standing stoically behind our chairs with our heads down. My back is screeching in retaliation and pain, but I have to remain still and silent. I can tell that Fox is in a lot of pain as well.

I listen closely and hear our parents take their seats. A moment later, our father’s commanding voice rings out through the still air. “You may take your seats, now.” Immediately, we both sit down with straight backs and keep our eye casted down towards the table. Just like we are trained to do. The tension in the air is thick and very noticeable.

Across the table, a throat is cleared. “We would like to properly introduce ourselves to you tonight, Princess Fawn. Perhaps after dinner it would be a good time to do so,” a quiet, deep voice speaks up.

“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea! It will be a good time for you six to sit down and get to know each other as future mates. Fox, stay out of the damn way tonight! Make yourself scarce after dinner,” our father harshly growls at us.

I am stiff as I realize that I am going to have to deal with the princes on my own, but that fear is short lived, thankfully. “We would like to meet him and get to know him as well,” another prince rushes to say as if he senses my fear. This voice is dark and very commanding. I can tell that he expects to be obeyed the first time that he says something. Well, I have got news for you, Prince. That is never going to happen! Not in a million years! Never!

My father growls aggressively, but he keeps his thoughts to himself. Surprisingly, he doesn’t offer any argument to this prince. I glance over at my brother with a surprised and smug smirk on my face. I notice that he is trying his best to not burst out laughing at this. No one, and I mean no one, ever argues with our father. Fox and I will occasionally, but that is only because we have each other’s backs. And here is a puny prince arguing with him. Somehow, he isn’t dead yet or even being punished. A small miracle. It made me like him a little bit more.

Finally, I glance up at look at the princes for the first time since entering the Castle of the Kings. I won’t lie, they are all very handsome and cleanly dressed from what I can see. I would happily give up my virginity to any of them, but that doesn’t mean that they are at all mate material. And if I am honest with myself, I don’t think they are mate material. I mean, they aren’t even pure like I am! I can smell that they have all been with females! Maybe they can prove themselves, but they are very handsome. I do like what I see.

The prince in the middle is in the middle for heights. He has super pale skin. Pale red eyes. Black hair that is shaved on the sides and longer on top. He is wearing a red button-up shirt. His eyes and skin mark him as a vampire. The vampire prince of Despye. Prince Avalon.

On his direct left is the tallest male. He has deep chocolate brown skin. Longer black hair that is styled into corn rows. Rich, warm golden-brown eyes. He is wearing a deep, rich green button-up shirt that is the same color as the dress that I was wearing earlier. (Which is now completely shredded! Ugh! I loved that dress! Guess Fox will just have to take me shopping to buy a new dress. Which means shopping! Yay!) Earlier this prince introduced himself as Prince Dean of Clastan. Which means he is the dragon prince.

The male sitting on the left of Prince Dean, was easily the second shortest male. He has white skin, so in between my skin ton and Prince Avalon’s skin tone. Bright, kind royal blue eyes. He has blonde hair that looks so soft and fluffy even from here. He has is shaggy and yet styled at the same time. A perfect contradiction that just seems to fit him. His button-up is royal blue, and it makes his eyes pop even more. He has the top three buttons undone and I can see a tattoo peeking out. I honestly want to get up close and personally with him to see his tattoo. I can’t get a sense of what kind of shifter he is at all, but at the same time there is a strange feline essence to him. He quite possibly could be the heartbreaking panthera prince of Escana. Prince Seth.

The male sitting to the direct right of Prince Avalon is the shortest prince. He has light brown skin. Calm, quiet, and friendly gray eyes. Auburn hair with red shining in it. His hair is a short, styled cut with the sides shaved. A royal purple button-up shirt. He was easily the easiest prince to get a read on, but at the same time there was such a mysterious air to him. I just can’t tell what kind of shifter he is, but at the same time it tells me exactly what he is. I can easily tell what he is thinking by looking into those gray eyes. This has to be the prince of Vucron. Prince Carter of the vulpines.

The prince sitting next to him was easily the second tallest prince. Like the panthera prince, he has white skin. Forest green eyes. Brown hair that looks fluffy and soft, just like the panthera prince. His hair is styled into a quiff mohawk. The sides are shaved exactly like Prince Avalon and Prince Carter. He has on a forest green button-up that matches his eyes. I get a clear sense of loyalty in the air around him. The loyalty befitting of the canis shifters. This must be the canis prince of Asmurg. Prince Archer.

If I am honest with myself, they are even more handsome than I originally thought. They might even be my type if they don’t prove to be assholes. I will just have to wait and see, I guess. Honestly, I am excited to get to know them tonight, especially since I will have Fox next to me.

I am jarred from my thoughts suddenly by our father’s thundering voice. s**t! He is angry! What did we do? I immediately look down as I start to tremble slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Fox is in the same position as me. “Sit up straight, you insolent cubs! You were both raised better than this! You don’t slouch at the table! You both are bringing shame to your family and the griffin kingdom!”

We both quickly sit straight. My back screams in agony. “But, Father, our backs are in complete agony,” Fox begins, but he is cut off with a sharp slap to the face and a snarl.

“SILENCE! You were not given permission to speak! Cubs are to be seen, not heard. And rarely ever even seen is much more preferred. Now, both of you get lost. No dinner. And remember, absolutely no medical attention unless you handle it yourselves. Now, get out of my sight at once!”

We immediately bolt out of the dining room with terrified eyes and heads down. As soon as we turn the corner, my brother starts to have a panic attack, so I grip his hand tightly as we make our way to our room. As soon as we get into the room, Fox collapses onto the floor near the bed and draws his knees into his chest. I sigh as I close the door and walk over to him. My brother has always struggled with anxiety and panic attacks due to our parents. I sit down next to him and rub his back as he rocks side to side. I am hoping to calm him down and comfort him slightly. “Calm down, Foxie Boy. Put your head between your knees and take deep breaths like we have practiced and learned to do over the years.”

My brother immediately follows my directions and for the next forty minutes neither of us move besides rocking and neither of us speak. After forty minutes, there is a knock on the door. We both shoot straight to our feet and shake in fear as we fear that it is our mother, or worse our father.

After a moment though that fear subsides as a friendly and light voice speaks through the door. “Prince Fox. Princess Fawn. Can you give us five a few moments of your time? We would love to come in and talk to you both. We want to make sure you two are okay. Our parents are planning on coming up in a few minutes to talk to you both as well.”

We both let out a near inaudible sigh as our fear vanishes. Fox looks at me as he sits down on the bed. I can see the silent question and answer in his eyes. I nodded, letting him know that it is okay with me. I walk over to the door and open it up.

The princes smile and walk in behind me as I walk over and sit next to Fox. The prince with auburn hair enters last and he closes the door behind him. All of the princes hover near the door as if uncertain if they can come in further. So, I offer them a small smile. “Come on in, Princes. Make yourselves comfortable. We don’t bite.”

All five of them grin at my words before coming in further. After they settle down in various locations, they start to talk. The blonde male speaks up first from where he is leaning against a dresser. “We wanted to introduce ourselves properly and get to know you both a little before our parents come up here to talk to you both. My name is Seth Holt. I am the panthera prince of Escana. Pantheras can be a wide range of different felines, including lions, jaguars, leopards, tigers, and cheetahs. Those are the main types of pantheras, but there are others. I have a lion spirit. My lion spirit is called Major, and he can’t wait to officially meet you, Princess Fawn. I am seventeen. I turned seventeen in April and am the second youngest out of the five of us. I enjoy gaming with my friends who are basically my brothers, playing my guitar, and reading.”

I nod at him and turn towards the dark skinned male and raise my eyebrows in a silent question. He smirks at me as he chuckles. He is sitting on the loveseat. “Hell, Beautiful. I am Deam Willis of Clastan. It is a pleasure to meet you. My dragon spirit is called Thorn. I won’t lie to you. Thorn hated the idea of you. He hated rejecting our fated mate. But since seeing you for the first time earlier, he has fallen deeply in love with you. Neither of us can wait to get to know you properly. All of us are seventeen. I am the second oldest out of us. I turn eighteen in September. My favorite things to do include gaming and flying.”

I smile softly at him. A throat is cleared, so I turn my attention towards the gray eyed prince. He is maybe five feet from me. Just standing there leaning against the wall. “I am Carter Holland. The vulpine prince of Vucron. My fox spirit is called Atlas. Like Thorn, Atlas wanted nothing to do with you, but now he wants to get to know you. He is excited about the prospect of getting to know you, and so am I. I turned seventeen in December. I think you are the most beautiful female I have ever seen and that you are perfect for us. But obviously it is your decision in the end. I do look forward to knowing your decision whenever you have it, Princess Fawn. I enjoy drawing and gaming, but I also like to go for a run with Atlas in the sand dunes of Vucron.”

I chuckle softly. “I would love to see these sand dunes sometime and to maybe go for a run with Atlas, Prince Carter.” He winks at me; I look down blushing and shake my head at the obvious flirtation.

I turn my attention to the brown-haired male that is patiently waiting as he sits on the windowsill. “Angle, my name is Archer. Archer Dawson. I am the canis prince of Asmurg. I just turned seventeen about two weeks ago. My wolf spirit is called Orion. I promise that we will be good and loyal mates to you, or at least I will be. I will be honest with you though, Seth and Carter could never be anything, but loyal and good to you. They are absolutely sweethearts. I also know for a fact though that Avalon and Dean will treat you like the princess that you are and that means being loyal. We will all make sure that you are spoiled and never go a day without knowing how much we love you, because we already do. I enjoy everything that has already been mentioned for the most part, including letting Orion out for a run. I hope one day you will honor Orion and me with a run.”

I giggle softly as he finishes. He is charming in a wolfie way. I look towards the last one. Prince Avalon is leaning casually against the wall opposite of me. He stares coolly at me with serious eyes. I can’t tell what he really thinks about any of this at all. “My name is Avalon Kensington. I turn eighteen next month in August. My vampire spirit is called Jackal. I don’t have anything else to add at this moment. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.” Short and straight to the point.

I turn my gaze towards my brother and see him staring back at me. I nodded my head encouragingly at him, hoping that he would talk for us. He sighs and nods his head at me. “Fox and Fawn Khan are our names. We turned seventeen four days ago. My griffin spirit is called Maximus. My sister’s griffin spirit is called Mystery. We don’t have much for hobbies since we spend all of our time in training, and have since we were around four years old. So training is basically all we know. But in the last day and a half, since we have entered into your kingdoms, we have gotten to experience music for the first time ever. I mean this as no offense to any of you, but my sister doesn’t want you five and isn’t a prize to be claimed. You are all definitely gaining her attention, but none of you are worthy of being mated to a griffin. Especially my sister.”

“We understand, Prince Fox. We know we aren’t pure like either of you. We know that she is being forced into this. We know that you have heard the whispers that we rejected our fated mates. But we will always make sure that she is happy and safe and taken care of. We would do our best to be the perfect mates and make her happy with this arrangement,” Prince Seth begins softly. His word choice grabs my attention. “We want to change things though. We want to win her over, instead of her just being handed to us. We want to win her heart. If she still isn’t happy with us, then we will back off. We will spoil her. We will give her anything and everything that she ever desires. No matter what that price is. We are just asking for a chance. Don’t dismiss us just because we aren’t fated mates.”

I quickly forge a link between my brother and me. But they still rejected their fated mates.

I know they did, but he gave a compelling argument. What are your thoughts on what he said? On what they all said.

I think they are saying pretty words. Arrogant, but pretty. I think they are all hoping that words alone will win me over. I think that it is a pretty pathetic attempt, but I am intrigued. I am wondering if their words hold any value or not. I suppose only time will tell one way or the other.

Those are my thoughts as well, Little Sister. I feel Fox close the link as he replies to Seth. “My sister and I have just spoken and agree on our thoughts. You are all saying pretty words, but that is all they are. They are empty words without any sort of proof. You all recently rejected your fated mates. That doesn’t speak well for any of you. If you can’t respect a fated mate bond……we highly doubt you can respect a chosen mate bond. Your words are pretty, but nothing more. And honestly, it is a pretty pathetic attempt to win her over with just words.”

Prince Carter raises his hand to stop my brother from continuing. “Look, we understand where you both are coming from, but I promise you both that they aren’t empty words. We will prove it. Also, tonight is just words, but we also want to spoil her and give her stuff. We are speaking the truth, though. It is a fact that none of our spirits wanted the princess until they first saw her. It is a fact that we rejected our mates for this alliance. For you, Princess Fawn. We won’t deny any of it. We think you are beautiful though. We want to spend every day of our lives making you feel loved. There is more to you than looks though. What can we do to win you over?”

I look at him and see honesty blazing in his eyes. I smile at him. “I don’t want empty words. I want proof of those words. Mystery and I will give this a chance, but we want proof that we matter and will be equals. We want things from this potential mating. Freedom. Respect. Loyalty. Honesty. Kindness. Acceptance. Love. Validation. Equality. Those are what we value as ourselves and as griffins.”

“We can and will give you all of those things, Beautiful,” Dean says in his deep, dark voice. His voice almost sounds flirty, and it sends shivers down my spine. He smirks as he notices that I am shivering. He goes to continue to speak when suddenly there is knocking at the door again. The door swings slowly open to reveal their parents standing there.