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Chapter Fourteen

"I should return back before Kai decides to break something," I told Prince Gordon when both of our plates were clean of the meal that had been placed before us.

"I will escort you back," he told me as he got up and walked over to me, helping me out of my chair.

"Thank you, päästja," I said with a smile before I went towards the plates and began stacking them.
He suddenly took my hands away from the plates before saying, "Allow me, dear."

I watched with slight amusement as he, a widely-known Prince, began stacking the dishes. I was surprised at how smoothly he did so, not fumbling with the plates once. Perhaps he did this every time for his servants, making their job a little easier.

He finished and opened the door for me. I thanked him before walking out, noticing the enforcers suddenly straightened, all of them standing taller. It was amazing that Prince Gordon's presence had so much effect.

"Did you enjoy your dinner?" he asked me as we began walking towards my room.

"It was wonderful, one of the best meals I've had in a while," I replied and meant to ask him the same question, but became distracted.

As we turned the corner, I immediately noticed there was a lack of enforcers. There were only a few, and a man was standing in the middle of the hall looking distressed.

Prince Gordon sighed from beside me, shaking his head. "My guards are not yours to order around. They are just that: mine."

The man looked up, his eyes reminding me of two circular, blue blocks of ice. They were so cold, yet continued to capture my attention because they stood out against his light skin and black-as-night hair.

"I should be allowed to travel in peace, Cayne. I have enough of them following me within my own home," he replied back, his voice as harsh as his eyes, tinted with exhaustion.

"Are you going to introduce me to your companion?" he added, his eyes not leaving Prince Gordon's.

Cayne looked at him for a moment before saying, "Kendall, this is Ivy, one of the two shapeshifters temporarily staying here. Ivy, this is Kendall, my brother." He introduced, and I smiled at Kendall but did not receive one in return.

"Refer to me as Prince Gordon," he said, holding out his hand. My smile grew as I shook it. I had never been so thrilled to meet a person.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Prince Gordon," I started, pulling away my hand before adding, "Are you the Gordon brother who's chosen his Protector as his life partner?"

His mouth set into a firm line before he responded. "Yes, I am that very Gordon brother. It seems to be the only thing people talk about around me, although it is none of their damn business."

I blushed, realizing I must've crossed some line. He now looked irritated, his icy eyes a shade darker. My eagerness was the reason he was currently upset.

"I'm so sorry, Prince Gordon! I didn't mean to cause you any distress. I hope you can find it in your heart to—" I started, the words spilling out, but it was Cayne who interrupted me.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Ivy. It is not your fault Kendall was kicked out of his own palace by that very Protector," he said, amused eyes on his brother.

Kendall's eyes narrowed before he snapped, "I am not at fault for her unstable temper. If she were not so hotheaded, she would realize it had to be announced sooner or later."

"You would say those very things to her in person?" Cayne asked, seeming to enjoy this moment.
Kendall simply glared before muttering, "She is going to be the death of me before she even agrees to marriage." I found myself holding back a grin.

"If you are smart, brother, you will not fall in love because the moment you do, your dignity and self-pride disappear," he started before sighing.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Ivy. Goodnight to the both of you. I will be gone in the morning, even if I have to beg for her mercy," he concluded, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Congratulations again on the triplets, Kendall," Cayne called as his brother walked off. Kendall raised a hand as a sign of thanks before disappearing off to his room.

"Triplets?" I asked Prince Gordon who smiled and began guiding me back to my room.

"Yes, that is what he announced at the dinner. It is hard to believe he will be the first of us to become a father. I thought he would be the last, and I was not certain if he ever would be."

"They must be happy to be blessed with three little ones. Kai and I want at least five," I murmured, watching Prince Gordon's eyebrow shoot up.

"And you are fine with five children?" he asked, sounding doubtful, causing me to grin.

"I want a large family, päästja. I want to wake up to the sound of my cubs and see the pride in my mate's eyes when he looks at them. I would be more than elated to have five little ones, and not just because it's Kai's preference. It's mine too," I explained as we slowed to a stop.

He smiled back at me, reaching up and running his thumb along my jaw. "You will be a wonderful mother, dear, and a wonderful companion to Kai."

"As will you, Prince Gordon," I said before smiling, "but a father, of course."

He laughed quietly and said, "I am reminded of some news that I would like to share. However, I need to know that I can confide in you."

I paused, tilting my head, replying, "I am thrilled you trust me enough, päästja, but why do you?"

He smiled at the question, looking at me as if the answer were obvious. "It is because of your gentle nature, dear. You are not one to let anger build against someone, but you let it go. It is something that is not common in today's society, although I wish it were."

"Thank you, I would be honored if you confided in me," I said, the words genuine. Within the leap, I was always told I needed to improve. Stand taller, Ivy. You shouldn't play in the dirt, Ivy. The mate of our leader should be more docile and gentle. Compliments were rare, unless they came from Kai who couldn't seem to find a fault in me. That was, until we arrived here.

"I am holding a ball in honor of you and Kai tomorrow night. My parents have invited a Princess to the ball, a daughter of close friends of theirs. Both pairs are hoping this is a royal match, and that I court her. However, I would like a second opinion before doing so."

I silently realized this was Prince Gordon's chance to his happily ever after. He was close to having his Princess, as every Prince deserved. He only needed a little encouragement.

"It could lead to your happiness, päästja. It cannot cause harm to court her, and the potential joy would amount to much more," I said.

"How will I know if she is the one for me?" he asked and a smile bloomed across my face.

"Kai's eyes landed on me when we first met and have not left since that very day. I hope it remains that way," I said, my words softened by the thought of Kai. When his temper didn't control him, he was sweeter than most got the chance to see.

"You will know when you can't help but look at her as if she is the only female you could ever adore. You will know when you can't imagine a life without her by your side.

When Kai and I first met, I wasn't too sure about him. I had been required to attend play dates with him, have dinner with his family, and other events, but I had yet to meet my lumeleopard. He was but a stranger that I would be mated to.

Kai and I were attending a meeting about our relationship. It had been called by the leap elders, who were growing frustrated with my ways. They were yelling at me for refusing to mate with Kai. They yelled at my parents for doing nothing. They even yelled at Kai for not controlling my "wild" side.

It was not long before my impatient imtleja decided he'd had enough. He took one look at me, saw the tears on my face, and exploded at the elders. Looking back, their expressions were comical as he stood in front of each of them, pointing out their own flaws.

He then walked back to me, took my hand, and told them he would support any decision I had. He then told them when they took their judgmental minds out of their asses, they could find us in his house to apologize to me."

Kai was, of course, punished for that day, as you couldn't speak to an elder in such a way. However, he had laughed through the pain the next day and told me it was worth it. The thought of the moment never failed to make me smile.

After, we began talking to one another and began forming our own relationship. The moment created an actual bond between the two of us, not one created by the leap.

Prince Gordon had been smiling throughout the story, but now it was more hesitant. His expression was thoughtful, but filled with caution as he considered something.

"What is it, päästja. What's wrong?" I asked, curious as to what part of my story had caught his attention.

He didn't reply at first, considering how to word his thoughts. When he finally spoke, it was in a slow, gentle tone. "Ivy, dear, it sounds as if Kai loves you very much. But how do you know you love him?"

The words shocked me and I wasn't able to respond right away. Even when I was aware of their meaning, I still did not have an adequate answer.

Kai was my world, but that didn't supply an answer. I ran through my memories, desperately wanting to find it. It had to be somewhere.

But each memory contained Kai's love for me. They were filled with him defending me, whispering sweet words, lying for me. He was always there, openly sharing his compassion for me, yet I didn't do the same even once.

"Thank you for escorting me, Prince Gordon," I whispered, my words barely audible.

My eyes had found their way to the ground, and I was unable to look anywhere else for the rest of the night as I disappeared into the room.

[lumeleopard - snow leopard]

[imtleja - admirer]

[päästja - savior]