Chapter Six

Alone in the carriage, I was able to admire him from much closer. It was stunning to me that a human could look so beautiful that they barely looked, well, human.

I'd heard about a Gordon brother, but I'd never realized there was more than one. The one I'd heard about involved a female Protector, and they were intimate with one another, starting riots among the humans. That Gordon certainly wasn't this one.

For one, I hadn't seen a Protector in sight, which I found odd. I knew the creation of them was the consequence the werewolves received for playing a part in the war. So why did a Prince not have one?

"Where is your Protector?" I asked, watching as he turned his green eyes from the window to me.

"He has been dead for quite some time," he replied easily and I bowed my head out of respect.

"I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"It is fine, dear," he started before saying, "His name was Steel. He was the first Protector, and the first voluntary one. He was treated like family. When he passed, I realized Protectors were no longer treated with that respect. Instead of being questioning or frowned upon for the way I was treating my Protector, I decided it was best to be unprotected."

"Do they not question you for living without one?" I asked, watching a faint smile appear on his face.

"Of course they do. However, it is not as big of an issue because I did have one for a long time. I also have more guards than the average Prince," he answered.

I was grateful I grew up in the simplistic village and not the vast palace. I couldn't imagine being able to keep up with the complex set of rules they had. It was amazing that he could.

"Why did you invite me?" I asked, seeing his eyes flicker before he began studying me.

"You looked as if you needed some time outside the palace walls," he explained and I nodded, looking out the window.

"Thank you," I said softly, knowing the words would never show how grateful I truly was.

"Do not thank me. We all need time away from our loved ones. Why do you think my parents do not live with myself or my brothers?" He asked, lightening the mood and I laughed.

"Is it true that a Protector is the reason why palaces around the world are freeing their wolves?" I asked, the rumor still amazing me. One day, Kai and I would create such an impact.

Prince Gordon smiled, laughing briefly at the question. "That is certainly true. You will now find that a palace with wolves for its guards is frowned upon, all because of her."

"Do you think Kai and I will do something half as wonderful?" I asked, wondering whether he thought we were a lost cause.

"I would not invest my time into the both of you if I thought otherwise," he said after a moment, adding, "You are almost ready. Kai, on the other hand, needs to learn which battles to fight, and which to give in."

I looked away, knowing that wasn't going to happen. "Kai was the leader of our leap. It's in his blood to fight. I'll try talking to him," I told Prince Gordon, reluctantly adding the last part.

I knew Kai's words had been heated by our situation and without thought, but they still snapped at me. They weren't something Kai would be able to place in a box and make me forget.

I still had to talk to him, despite that. If I didn't, we would never get anywhere. Kai and I would clash like opposites and he would continue to snap at me. I didn't know how long I would last if that happened.

"What about your Princess?" I asked, distracting him from the window's scene once again.

"I do not understand. My Princess?" He asked, tilting his head like a confused pup would.

"Your Princess. For every Prince, there is a Princess," I explained as if it were the most obvious thing.

His eye were wiped of any emotion, keeping me out. "I have yet to find her. She is still out there, hopefully looking for me as I am her," he said and looked out the window again as if she'd suddenly appear.

Prince Gordon made me appreciate Kai much more. I didn't have to search for him and wonder if I would ever be alone. If I ever felt alone as Prince Gordon was, Kai would be right there.

I smiled out of the window, my brain going to work. Before I left, I would find Prince Gordon his Princess. I would make sure he forgot how it felt to be so alone.

We didn't talk much after, both of us in our own worlds. I was worrying about Kai, worrying about how our lives would end, and just worrying in general. But when the Gordon's house came into view, that vanished.

"Ilus," I whispered, gazing out the window at the stunning house.

The house was larger than the village huts but would never compare in size to Prince Gordon's palace. But this house seemed warm, like a place anyone would proudly call their home.

Stone outlined its exterior skeleton, a short chimney puffing out faint clouds of smoke. Flowers were nestled close to the house for warmth, every color possible represented. The house looked more natural in the forest than the trees surrounding it.

"Ilus?" Prince Gordon asked, the word sounding foreign on his tongue. I laughed quietly as he reminded me of a cub trying to learn the word.

"Ilus, yes. It means beautiful," I said, watching with amusement as he mouthed the word to himself.

The carriage door opened, shedding light on us both as a man, whom I assumed was driving, held it. Prince Gordon got out carefully before he offered me his hand.

I took it, stepping out of the carriage and standing next to the Prince. The air here even felt cleaner, more playful, than near the palace. Birds cheerfully chirped nearby, soft and sweet.

"We will only be here for a few hours, no longer. I expect you back by then," Prince Gordon told the driver who nodded, then bowed before leaving.

"Shall we?" He asked, taking a deep breath as he looked at the house. I nodded, surprising him when I took his hand, leading us forward.

"You are certainly not what I expected," Prince Gordon said quietly, as if to himself, so I kept silent.

The warmth of his hand left mine as he knocked on the door, placing his hand in his pocket. He seemed afraid of any contact with me, something I should remember before acting so foolish again.

The door was opened by a man who looked surprisingly similar to Prince Gordon. He appeared to be much older, though, his facial features showing signs of aging.

"Our son is here, Marlene!" He called, leaving the door open and disappearing. I frowned, confused. Was that a human tradition?

"Is my baby back already?" A voice asked and an involuntary laugh slipped from my mouth at the nickname.

"Mother, I have explicitly expressed my desire to be called by my name," he quickly replied, holding the door open for me.

I stepped inside and didn't expect what I saw. The outside of the house had looked so beautiful, yet the interior didn't have a touch of anything personal. The house was... cold in comparison and looked identical to Prince Gordon's palace.

The only thing that beckoned attention in the house was the nearby fireplace, yet it only stabbed me each time I looked at it. The flames reminded me of those that had scorched my village and its leopards.

"I'm in the kitchen!" The voice called as Prince Gordon entered the house, closing the door behind him.

"Mother, Father, there is someone I would like you to meet," The Prince said and motioned for me to follow him.

He led us to the kitchen, where both of his parents were standing. His mother was washing her hands while his father leaned against the counter, staring intently at us. I found myself looking down in return.

"Please tell me you didn't bring in another animal. I've had enough after Kendall's-" his mother started, but was drowned out by a loud sigh.

"Marlene, enough is enough. If I have to hear this insolent badgering one more time, you will no longer have a roof over your head," the woman's husband replied, his face without emotion as he did so.

"This is Ivy," Prince Gordon said, grabbing their attentions. "She is one of the shape-shifters you sent to me," he explained and I gave them a smile as their eyes landed on me.

"You have the most lovely home," I started, but the next words were lost in their silence. I found myself blushing and looking towards the Prince for help.

"They are not one for words," he told me, but his frown said he disapproved of their actions.

"What happened to the other one? I was told they kept two alive. Have you already killed him?" His mother bluntly asked and I shivered, not able to see myself alone here.

"He is still alive, however, he was busy with other things," Prince Gordon said, easily lying. I was thankful for that.

"Your brother will be coming by in a few weeks with his companion. He says he has an announcement. Perhaps you know what it is?" His father asked, his mother taking the opportunity to talk again.

"Maybe he's finally getting rid of that girl."

"Marlene!" Her husband snapped and I watched as she bowed her head, her lips sealing. She was submitting to him in a way the leopardesses did to the leopards.

"It is not mine to tell," Prince Gordon said, but there was a faint smile on his face.

"Cayne, take her and set up the table," his mother said and Prince Gordon obeyed, leaving the room with me following.

"You name's Cayne?" I asked, watching as he pulled out several plates and handed them to me.

"Yes, but you cannot call me that," he said, as I set the plates down.

I smiled, my eyes lighting up as I said, "Why not, Cayne?"

"I am a Prince, dear. Addressing me in any other way is disrespectful," he said, but I wasn't giving up.

"That would be risky," he warned and I gave him a light smile.

"That's fine. You'll always be my päästja," I murmured and spent the next few minutes laughing.

[Ilus- beautiful]

[Päästja- savior]