Free A Bond of Brothers by R. E. Butler

load of bullshit that was, when the sound of running came behind us. A quick glance showed me that the den had come, alerted by the young child that was playing in the barn. Adriel stopped next to Lynk, handing him a sword that gleamed in the sunlight. Lynk gripped it lightly as Adriel spoke with power and authority. “I am king of this den and you are trespassing on our land. What business have you here?”
    My uncle looked genuinely surprised to see so many people come to stand with us. Power swirled around us as I shed my top and unsheathed my wings. I recognized the twins that came to stand by Adriel and the petite brunette that stood between them. It was their brothers Ash and Axe and their wife, Elizabeth. Her fingers crackled lightly with flames that didn’t burn her skin. The bears in the den stood behind us, many with swords like Lynk’s, waiting quietly and watching.
    My uncle cleared his throat and made a small gesture to the guards with him. “I have come for my niece. She must return to the fairy realm and marry a male of proper royal lineage so that her family line will not disappear with her. She is the last Tannia.”
    Adriel looked back at me with a frown and then nodded slightly. I stepped forward to stand between Adriel and Lynk. “I was banished from the realm. I cannot return except to risk death.”
    “This is an edict from the court. You are required to return. You can come at your own will, or we will take you by force.”
    Lynk growled low in his chest and the sound rumbled through the crowd of bears that stood with us like an angry wave.
    “I will not.” I stated, drawing myself up as tall as I could and glaring at the man that I had once thought of as part of my family. “You had my mother killed, and then my aunt, your wife. I don’t believe for a second that I was asked to return. My family name was stricken from the history of the realm, lost forever.”
    “Bygones.” He sniffed, shifting his gaze around to the men who stood with me. He had clearly not known that so many would rally to help me. As much as I was bolstered by their support, I didn’t want anyone hurt on my behalf.
    “I’m not returning to the fairy realm, ever again. My life is here now, with my mates.”
    He snorted and his eye ticked. “Rutting with beasts does not change what you are. Guards," he stretched his red and orange wings wide and they shimmered with power, "take her and kill the animals." He pointed long, bony fingers at Elizabeth, "Bring the fire witch to me. She'll make an excellent addition to my bed chamber."
    Ash and Axe roared in rage at the threat to their wife. Lynk put his hand on me and shoved me backwards. "Stay with Tav," he growled.
    His eyes were wild, his face marred with anger. I was no fighter and I knew if I protested, someone would get hurt trying to keep me safe. "If you take their wings, you'll take their power." I squeezed his hand and stepped backwards where Tavian pushed me behind him as the fairy guards rushed towards the waiting bears.
    Tavian shed his shirt, walking me backwards slowly while his father, Lynk, Axe and Ash fought forward through the throng of fairy guards along with the other members of the den, some shifting into their bear forms. I watched Lynk like a hawk as he cut his way through the seemingly endless fairy guards, intent to get to my uncle. Ash and Axe battled to keep Elizabeth safe while she let loose whip-like flames from her hands and threw guards around like ragdolls.
    A guard ran full-tilt at Lynk and I sent my power to the earth and a root shot up, tripping the guard just feet from Lynk, who spun and cut off his wings first and then his head with practiced ease. "Tav!" Lynk yelled without looking back, "Get her inside!"
    "No, Tavian!" I argued as he pushed me back further towards the barn.
    He glanced back at me, fury on his face, and then suddenly shoved me away and leaned forward towards a guard that ran at us, sword lifted high. Short of reaching