General Vunfor

"Your Highness, that was rather rude of you," the words were close to his ear and spoken low causing the Prince to shiver. "Your mother was worried when the others couldn't find you, but your father and I used these tunnels in the war. Remember? I had lead you down through the dark and into the main wall surrounding the castle to fight."

"And yet, you dare to hold me prisoner here now," Valn was not expecting the low chuckle he received.

"It is true that I would not turn down an offer to bed you, but it would have to be just that. An offer. I will not **** myself onto you like Helrith has done. I have no reason to keep you here other than for me to hold your attention." The General removes his weight from the Prince's back, but keeps his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Say what you must then leave me be," the words were clipped with fear and General smelt it coming off his skin in waves.

"When I was told you had sent Trix away I became worried. Fearful even. I had been conducting an investigation on the boy you chose to guard you as he comes from Gulres. Your siblings said you knew of this fact so I had to keep the investigation a secret. I did not want you to banish me or demote me based off personal bias for your friend." His pause was to allow the words to set in, yet in smelling the annoyance that flooded the small tunnel he continued. "What I discovered is that Helrith is actually a spy meant to report back to the First Prince of Gulres each cycle you experience. The First Prince of Gulres wished to use your heat against you and have Helrith **** you during it so you would have your sister marry him. The **** would enable Helrith to control you through the mate bond he would **** upon you and you would become subservient to the Gulres line. Ensuring that their alleged fears of Valgroth falling to ruin came into fruition."

"How do I know you're not lying?" the Prince hissed as he did not want to believe these words.

"Breathe. Scent the air. You know I'm not lying." Upon realizing the Prince was shaking the General pulled him into a hug. "I am so sorry, Your Highness. I did not wish to upset you, but you needed to know the truth before it was too late."

Returning the hug with shaking arms Prince Valn cried softly into the Generals chest. That earthy scent reminded him of safety and warmth today and he reveled in the comfort they gave him. It wasn't long after identifying the General's scent that he noticed the humming and swaying of the General. The lullaby was often sung during the nights at war. He last heard it when the General saved a small family from their burning corn fields. That night had been a long one to get everyone out of the smoke and far enough away from the flames. Valn remembered the way General Vunfor lulled the children to sleep and the way he watched over them all so they would survive the night.

"I believe you."