The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 105

Isabelle

It really wasn’t planned or anything… But he deserved it. I grumbled in my link. The Second Seat shook my hand, but gave a warning glare, if only for a moment.

“My lady, come sit at your grandfather’s left. Take your place and meet the rest of the Seats.” He smiled.

Be glad the others do not hear this… but I too have thanks to give. I tried for just short of three thousand years to be rid of him. He linked.

Then I’m glad to be of help. I linked quickly, because I could see that other members were coming downstairs. They weren’t in shot of hearing it, but I didn’t want to make drama.

They escorted me to the High Council meeting room, and I was taken aback a bit.

“Oh my Lady…” I said looking at my throne. I could see why men would kill to sit here… I could see why people all over the world came here, and why those who sat felt the way they did. The High Council room held the houses of the 14 most influential families of my people. My name was on a plaque atop a gold, black cushioned thrown, while my mate requested a lawn chair to sit pretty much on the left side of the enormous room…. Though for now it was empty.

I’d come here only twice as a pup, sitting in my grandfather’s lap, but it didn’t dawn on me the power he held… then he was just grampy….

“Come and Sit.” He commanded sternly, and I found myself walking to my rightful place almost on autopilot… It was soft, but I was short. This table was made for men about seven feet tall and I was only five. I would make it work though, getting an extra few cushions to prop myself up.

They clapped, however the only ones who seemed actually happy about it were grandpa, John, the Second, and Fifth Seats.

Omegas came in a pair. One smelled slightly of silver, like Rose’s pup… while the other smelled normal. They took grandpa’s order first, then broke off in pairs to take each seat’s order. He had raw beef, and I copied him because I didn’t have a menu or anything. They seemed to have things memorized here, and I was already feeling a little bit out of place.

It isn’t always blatant things that make someone feel unwelcome… it’s often little things. Like being too short for the table to eat, not knowing things everyone else does, or even the etiquette here. Was it rude to chew the bone or not? I looked at everyone else who ordered. The Dead One and John ate theirs, but the Seventh Seat and the Twelfth didn’t. They ate with knife and fork. Grandpa seemed not to care, eating more like a wolf than a man at the moment…

I wondered how the Luna’s Council would be, and I could feel through our bond that Bryson felt more punished by the squeals of Lunas wanting to touch our pups than any whip. He didn’t like crowds, people, or new people especially, and I heard my grandfather, along with the Dead One chuckle. I grumbled a little, staring at the black marble table…. Lady Damnit…

There was the ring of a bell, and it meant that our break time would be over, as now it was time to meet.

I stood, knowing full well no one could see me, so I got on the cushions. Unladylike, yes, but effective it was. “I am the Third Princess, Isabelle Ann Charred of BeastMoon… I have been punished to serve, though it is an honor to sit at my grandfather’s left… I hope I hold this with the grace of a true third.” I said holding my head up high. It didn’t sit well with them that I’d introduced myself before my grandfather commanded me to, but I was no timid she wolf kneeling at the feet of those who sat.

“As you can see, my pup is Alpha hearted. Treat her as such.” He smiled somewhat proud.

There were bows and mumbles of ‘yes your majesty.’

He sat up a little taller. “This meeting does not leave this table. Any ears who hear, keep your mouths shut, as this first topic was brought to my attention by the only other King permitted to know this secret.” He said sternly. “My mate instructed me to enact my ruling upon them a little later, so they will be the second topic of discussion. The first is more dire anyway… The Grand Palace of the High King as many of you know was commissioned over three decades ago when Queen Sky had her first premonition. It was finished 9 years ago, but it must be staffed by 100 of every king’s race. As the houses of the wolves, it is our duty to supply 7 of each house, and I will supply the difference.”

“Should they be Omegas my king?” Asked the Fifth Seat. “I would rather they be able to shift in case they need to run away.”

Grandpa’s chuckle gave me a chill…. “There is no escaping his grasp if they ever catch his attention. I only mention this because I wish for volunteers willing to serve that I will train and screen myself before they reach the island. I wanted you all to allow your pack to offer themselves willingly. He may wake any moment.”

I gently tapped my grandfather’s shoulder, getting glares from the other seats. His raised eyebrow suggested I did wrong, but he otherwise held a small smile. “um… Does the High King know about our cultures, languages, and technology?” I asked, and the King looked a little confused.

“He does not know of cultural things or technology, but he does understand modern English, Arabic, Swahili, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Language is not a barrier for him. It is Us he does not understand.” He said as if he were thinking. “He does not need food, air, water, and he cannot be harmed…. He does not feel hot, cold, rest, or pain… These kinds of things evade his understanding.”

“Wow… does that mean that he understands us in his sleep?” I asked and he nodded. “Then can we talk to him before he wakes so he doesn't accidentally hurt his promised?”

“…. These are questions I have not thought about…. But yes, I suppose we could. It would help him to understand the basic principles of being gentle… It would be terrible if he waited just short of eight thousand years only to smush his mate under his claws by accident.” He looked at the table, deep in thought, though no one spoke for a while.

It was a good idea... but I had no idea how to execute said idea. His words also made me uncertain about my niece… promised or not I would not willingly give her away to a monster, be it my place or not….

“…Maybe put an egg in his hand and have him concentrate on holding it without breaking it?” Asked the Fifth Seat, getting looks of distaste by the Sixth on the other side of the table. “I had to do that before I spoke with Autumn, and it does help… mortals truly are small and weak. I assume that goes double for one the King must answer to.” He mumbled.

There was general agreement on this. I expected more resistance… I could certainly feel it, but no one was outright about it.

“My little one, I am so very happy you are here.” He said suddenly, and I bowed before speaking.

“Grandfather, I want to help you. I’m glad you gave me this chance.” I beamed.

He patted my head. “In here it is your majesty little one, but I cannot blame you for not knowing.”

“Of course, your majesty.” I bowed again, and he linked I assumed grandma.

“Come. The arena is ready for your punishment. I hate to give a complement only to draw the whip across your mate’s back… but I put my foot in my mouth. I cannot go back on my words.” He grumbled.

“I know… and thank you for being so lenient your highness.” I almost whispered, but he patted my head.

“I would not spill the blood of my blood without good reason. I do not deem this worth it to lose one of my own, since we are so few, and you have so much potential.” He said truthfully.

------Bryson-----

The little witch held my hand, running happily to the council room while I walked with her. The pups ran with their tiny tails in the air like small black flags, with Tyson in front. He seemed to be the most confident, even though they still held the grayish green eyes of innocent clueless pups. I guess lately they looked greener, meaning they would change soon.

Their room looked completely different from the men’s room. It was more plush, casual, and there were more servants, along with a wolf fountain that nearly glowing water flowed from. The pups began to destroy their grandmother’s cushions, and I growled them a warning to knock it off.

“Your grace.” Said an Omega, pouring me tea.

I didn’t want tea… and I certainly didn’t want anyone touching my pups, but the Queen had them as promised. They were happy enough with her, but I didn’t trust her, being a fellow black eyed wolf. She wasn’t a Beast, but that she carried those eyes meant she had a temper I had as of yet to see. She was an old wolf… I assume she’d probably be as strong as Phillip if she showed her power. I certainly could sense it even though she hid it… some crazy new thing my body was up to now.

They played in her hair as she kneeled down on a padded black and gold pillow, trying to get them to play with the toys I brought instead.

“Alpha Bryson, what do you think?” Asked Heidi.

“This is fine I suppose.” I said still not trusting her. She smelled too much of magic to trust, and I was tense. She caught on, showing me her neck.

“Why don’t you calm down? Of all the places in the castle, this really is the safest besides with grandfather.” She smiled. “Plus Brutus is dead… and I doubt Jang will do anything without him.”

“I don’t worry about that worm, I worry about the revenge he may seek, and how he may try it.” I mumbled. The other females wanted to touch my pups, but I wouldn’t allow that. “Also… this place is too cheery…. And honestly, I feel like I used to in here. I would much rather be in the High Council Court, sitting in my lawn chair, watching the pups by myself.” I grumbled, and she sighed shaking her head.

“I don’t have pups, but I do understand.” She looked at them. “The Lord Below is with them, and their father is a protective one. Relax, just a little bit. You’ll give yourself gray hair so mean faced all the time.” She got all three of my pups, and put them in my arms. “How’s that?” She asked.

No Want. They all complained, wiggling, trying to get back to terrorize their grandmother.

“Much better.” I admitted. They looked at me as if I betrayed them, as I was ruining their fun. I couldn’t keep them in my arms forever… I put them down to see them run to her, and ‘attack’ her hair again. I think it was probably the hardest thing I’d done as a father so far.

You raise them, nurture them, only for one day they do their own thing. I made myself upset with a complex emotion I couldn’t put my finger on. I didn’t really know what the feeling was, and it bothered me more that I didn’t know what I was sensing. Up until this point, I’d only cared about myself. Learning this shit was hard, especially without my mate…. The Queen looked up, and her eyes flashed.

“Bryson, you’re requested at the post. I’ll show you.” She said quietly. The pups nipped at her hair as she walked since it was so long and curly. It bounced back into place, which was why they played with it so much. The walk wasn’t that far, in it’s own corridor, however inside the place was ridiculously bigger than I thought…. It was a giant arena. The ceiling held floating candles and a clear, but fluffy clouded day even though I knew it was night. It was magic. This place was likely made by one of the Kings or Queens for the castle.

“I assume you’ll be in that box up there?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Along with your mate, the pups, royal guard and none else. I understand your worry, and I will not let anything happen to them.” she bowed to me before picking them up, being escorted by the shifter female Warrior who had it in for me the last time….

But I was bowed to by the Queen, and that caught the attention of everyone who saw. I didn’t know weather or not to bow back, but I did.