Brotherly Love

"Seems your punches have grown weaker since I left, your highness." Xavier smirked as he stood up, wiping the small line of blood under his nose with his thumb. "Have you been skipping training again? The king won't be happy about that."

"That was one time, you-" Rowan snapped back, ready to hit Xavier again.

However before he could do anything, I stepped in front of the big guy and raised my hands up in a surrender position. "Hold up! You can't fight here now!"

"Get out the way, female." Rowan gazed at me for a second before his golden eyes snapped back to Xavier. "This is a matter between males. You have no right to interfere."

"First off, my name's Elisa." I growled out, frustration boiling within me. "And second, I need that bird brain with me while meeting the king. I'm not going to stop your fight, so you can beat him up once I'm done. Just hold on until we're done with our meeting okay."

Rowan paused, finally looking at me at a loss for words while Xavier gasped out, "Elisa, you'd really see me get hurt by this beast?"

I turned my attention to him and huffed, "I told you not to drag me into this. If you want to cause problems you should learn how to deal with them."

"Haha!" Rowan suddenly let out a loud laugh. "Seems the arrogant bird has finally met his match. Fine, I'll duel your mate afterwards."

"Gee thanks…" I couldn't help but mutter sarcastically as I turned back to the lion beastman. "Also, we're just courting right now. Need to make sure we're compatible and all that stuff."

"Compatible? Is Xavier not to your tastes?" Rowan smirked, showing a fanged tooth. "You know many females here would do anything to be his mate." 

"Enough. That's a matter between Elisa and I." Xavier suddenly stated, appearing next to me. "Don't interfere in matters that don't concern you."

"Come now, little brother, your future mate is important to me." Rowan taunted. "I should learn what you're lacking in so I can help you out. Perhaps, you're the one that needs training to get stronger."

Now it was Xavier's turn to get upset. However, before he could do or even say anything, a shrill voice called out, "Xavier, my little bird, you're home!"

Xavier stiffened next to me as my eyes moved past Rowan to see who had spoken. And behind him was a tall, olive skinned female heading our way with several men trailing behind her.

They all wore white, linen robes similar to Rowan's with the female's robe also having golden jewelry wrapping around her body. Flowers weaved into her thick, blond hair and she had a graceful look as she walked.

She was so beautiful that it gave me Greek Goddess vibes. I couldn't help, but worry about what she wanted. Was she one of those females Rowan had been talking about?

"Your majesty." Rowan and Xavier immediately bowed their heads as she came to a stop in front of us. 

So, this must be the Grasslands Queen then. I silently thought to myself. She looks really good for someone who has adult kids. Honestly, I'm jealous of beastmen aging.

She gave them a wide smile before going serious as she turned to me. She then sneered at me, "Seems even feral females are just as unruly as their male counterparts."

I blinked for a moment, processing her words. My eyes widened and I quickly bowed my head. Damnit. I didn't need trouble from the queen before I even got to meet with the king.

"Apologies, your majesty. I was so star-stuck by your beauty that for a moment I forgot to show my respect." I blurted out, hoping that would appease her.

"You think I'm beautiful?" The Grasslands Queen asked as she wrapped a clawed hand around my chin to make me gaze into her golden eyes.

"Um yes…" I stuttered, getting really nervous as she stared intensely at me. 

"Enough, your majesty." Xavier suddenly pulled me closer to him, earning a growl from the males around the queen. "We're getting late to meet with the king. Isn't that right, your highness?"

"Ah… yes." Rowan lied, moving in front of his mother. "Please forgive us, but we need to get going now, your majesty. I'm sure Xavier can come visit once he's rested from his travels."

"Hmph!" The queen huffed before turning away. "You brats no longer care about your dear mother… Fine, you better come by tomorrow and bring the feral female too."

"I'm not feral…." I started, but the queen was already walking away with her group.

Meanwhile, Xavier and Rowan let out a sigh of relief once they had disappeared. Rowan then turned to Xavier and said, "You owe me a favor for lying to mother…. And you, female-"

"Elisa." I instantly corrected.

"Are you really not a feral?" Rowan crossed his arms over his chest. "You smell like a snake. It's not good to lie to the queen like that. She could have you punished for doing that."

But didn't you just lie to the queen? I couldn't help but think to myself. Maybe it was because he was her son? Whatever…

"Eh… That's because I have a snake beastman mate." I finally answered, pointing at Ahi's mate mark over my heart. "See. You're probably smelling his scent on me. I'm actually human."

"So, a feral lover then…" Rowan glanced over at Xavier, not even bothering to look at my mate mark. The brothers seemed to speak with their eyes for a moment before Rowan finally sighed, "The king should be done by now, so let's head to the throne room."

He walked off, forcing Xavier and I to hurry off after him. As we walked through the giant hallways, I couldn't help, but mull over what had just happened.

I was a little worried about the whole thing with the queen. She definitely had the power to make my life miserable here if I decided to stay and I wasn't sure if I was willingly to deal with that drama.

Thankfully, the brothers somehow had worked together to deal with their mother, but it would only delay the problem. Speaking of which…

Despite how they acted otherwise, it was clear Rowan and Xavier were close. Which was kind of funny considering they were trying to kill each other five minutes ago.

Then again that could just be how they showed their love. Because at the end of the day, they did work together despite everything.

Suddenly the two brothers came to a stop in front of what must've been a three meter stone door with carvings in it. Two cat-like beastmen stood by the door guarding it.

Rowan walked to them about to ask them something when the doors suddenly slammed open.