High Alpha's Risen Mate

Chapter 8: The King's Guard

"Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them."

- A.A. Milne

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Chapter 8: The King's Guard

POV: Sierra Moonchild

The slight sharpness of the burning pain hits my lungs each time I take a breath. I'm on my third and last lap this morning. When I woke up, I decided to go for a run. I felt like I needed it.

The wind blows in my hair at every step I take. The scent of pine lingers as pine trees limn around me. The sky is the bluest I've ever seen it, with not one cloud in the sky. Birds chirp and sing high in the trees.

I pass the guards every so often while I run. Devon and Archer allowed me to run alone because of the guards surrounding this area. I have to admit the serenity in this place. It has an appeal that makes you want to stay forever.

Unfortunately, I don't get to. Maybe one day, when things slow down, I can come back to this place.

The cabin is just a few more paces away. I slow my running down to a jog, pacing my breathing. Pushing myself, I jog the rest of the way to the cabin.

The smell of bacon is the first thing that hits me as soon as the door is opened. The scent causes my stomach to growl, indicating I'm hungry. Quickly making my way to the kitchen to see Devon has made my favorite chocolate chip pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs. "Come eat, we have a long journey ahead of us." He motions with his head a certain way for me to sit down.

"Here, I made your smoothie." Archer places the glass next to my plate. I sit in the chair and dig right in. "So, how are we getting to this place?" I ask curiously. Devon and Archer slowly chew their food before answering the question.

"Normally, we would just fly. However, we've been gone a long time. Things have changed. Without knowing how things have changed, it is best not to." Devon explains. "The world was at war when we left. Without the phoenix, things are bound to have been tense between the factions. Also, it's important to note Lucian." Archer continues to explain.

Archer and Devon hold a worried expression. "What is it? What about Lucian?" I ask. Just how bad could things be? It doesn't seem so bad here.

Archer and Devon stay silent for a bit. We just eat in silence until one of them finally answers my question. "Lucian will be watching you. We're concerned flying will draw too much attention. He could have us followed." A seriousness holds in Archer's voice.

"Caer Anffernol has to be kept a secret at all costs." There is no room for argument in their voices. Lucian killed my parent. He caused everything that is happening now. He must be stopped, but how?

Lucian is the demon king and holds a spot on the United Council, if the memories are correct. Taking him down will be a political game. I can't just accuse him without proof. Taking him down will be a delicate process.

"Then how are we getting there?" I ask. Devon sighs. "Eat your breakfast, we have guests coming."

I wonder who it could be. Eager to see Caer Anffernol, I hurriedly ate my food. I'm feeling a little excited to see it. It almost feels like returning home after so long. "Because we are. It's our home and every phoenix before us." Raya says, just as excited as I am.

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After I'm showered and dressed, I leave the bathroom in search of Devon and Archer. I find them outside talking to three unfamiliar people.

Standing there is a woman with red hair. She wears a white pant suit with a grey top and gold accessories.

On the left of her is a man. His ears are pointy like an elf. I wonder if he is an elf. His hair is Light brown with the brightest sapphire blue eyes.

He wears a tight black T-shirt that outlines all of his muscles. He's very fitly built. Over his shirt is a dark green hunter hooded vest with embroidered light green vines and a pair of jeans to match. He looks to be tall, standing at about five feet and ten inches.

On the red-headed woman's right is another woman. She looks to be ready for battle, holding a sword pointed towards the ground. She has blonde, voluminous hair pulled back by a brown leather headpiece. Her eyes look to be brown from where I stand. She looks tall too, at maybe five feet and eight inches. She's athletically built with sun-kissed tan skin.

The blonde girl wears gladiator boots that stop just under her knees. She wears a white wrap dress with gold square spiral detailing on the edges of her dress. Brown leather gauntlets line both her forearms, along with a thick brown leather belt wrapped around her waist.

"Oh, is this her?" The middle woman suddenly says when she notices me standing there. Devon and Archer look behind themselves and confirm it is me. "Yes, this is Sierra, the phoenix."

"Hi, it is a pleasure to meet you." The red-haired girl walks towards me, holding her hand out to me. "Hello." I give her a shy wave and shake her hand.

"I'm Scarlett Ohara. I'm the High King's ambassador and here on behalf of him." The red-headed girl introduces herself. Some High King. I'm apparently something people around here look up to, and he couldn't come here himself.

As if Scarlett could read my mind, she answers my question. "Kai wanted to be here, but he had other matters to handle. Everyone is sending their ambassadors to the Hall of Peace to meet you. I offer this invitation to the Black River pack to you. I do hope you pay a visit to him."

"Pack?" I ask. "Yes, it seems our high king is a werewolf. Werewolves live in packs, Si." Archer explains. A blush creeps up my neck in embarrassment. I should have known that, but hey, I'm still learning, right?

"And you are?" I look at Scarlett. Does that mean she's a werewolf too? "I'm a wolf, Conrad here is a Fae, and Aspen is an sss Warrior." She introduces the other two new people.

"Hi, I'm Aspen. King Kai has sent us to aid you in your journey." Aspen says with a bubbly attitude. Conrad bows to me. "We are members of the king's guard. We are to accompany you around the lands and ensure your safety."

"These two are the top warriors in our king's guard. I hope you accept them." Scarlett's voice is full of hope. "Absolutely not." Devon and Archer say refusing.

"Excuse me? You're not even going to give them a chance?" Scarlett seems confused by their refusal. Honestly, I'm confused by it too.

"I assure you, we mean no ill will towards her. You can't just judge us with a two-second interaction." Conrad takes offence, glaring at Devon and Archer.

"Listen here, little fairy, there is more at stake than your precious little duty to the king." Archer snaps. I groan in annoyance. "Hey, this is in honor of diplomacy. Devon, if you would please see some sense. I know a little fire mutt could never, but you, as a dragon, should see reason." Scarlett says before I can say anything.

Devon sighs. "You're right. I can see both sides, however, Caer Anffernol must be kept a secret by any means. No outsider has been allowed in Caer Anffernol for millennia and for good reason."

I look at Conrad and Aspen, judging them for myself. Conrad has honest eyes. Aspen looks fierce yet so outgoing and bubbly. "Can I trust you?" I ask them. "Of course, I swear on my life. Fairies are benevolent creatures. Yes, the fae have those who are mischievous and malicious. Pixies are one of the fae that aren't very innocent. I am a garden fairy in touch with nature. We believe in it and the balance that should be." Conrad pleads his case.

His honest eyes never once wavered from his words. I believe what he says.

"I think trust goes both ways. If you trust me, then I will trust you. I come from an all-female faction. We rarely ever trust men; that's just the Amazonian way. Many people have waited for your return, and you can put an end to so much suffering. Please let me be a part of that. I promise you I would never betray you." Aspen answers with sincerity.

"I think we can trust them." Raya and I are in agreement. I also think we can trust them.

"They're going." I stand my ground to Archer and Devon. "No, no way." They still refuse, though Devon seems unsure. "Yes, I'm the phoenix, and you serve me. I'm saying yes. They will come with us, and that's final." I remind them of exactly who they are and what they serve, even if I don't feel good about it.

"Sierra, I know you want to trust them, but you don't know them. Don't let their little speeches sway you. Some FARIES are bad." Archer put an emphasis on the word Faries like it makes a difference. Conrad said not all fae are good. He put that up front.

"And your outburst doesn't sway me. They're going. Davon?" I look to Devon, hoping he will agree. I don't want us to argue. "She's right. They seem to be trustworthy." He says, reasoning out and keeping the peace.

Then Devon turns to Conrad and Aspen. "Swear to me you will never tell a soul of the location." The command and seriousness of the situation are evident in his voice. Conrad and Aspen look Devon directly in the eye. "We swear." They simultaneously say.

"Excellent, here are the keys. Clothes and toiletries are in the trunk. Money is in the glove box." Scarlett happily and relieved drops the keys in Archer's hand. That's when I notice the van parked behind the cabin.

"Good luck. I will see you soon at the Hall of Peace. All the ambassadors are convening there to meet you and present you with an invitation to their factions. Kai will be there, of course." Scarelett says before shifting into a gray wolf and running off. That is so weird. I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing that.

"Let's go, it's a three-day journey. We should get going now." Archer is becoming impatient. He's going to be grumpy the whole way there because I overruled him. My eyes roll at the revelation.