unstripped

"My Queen, my King seeks council with you."

She groaned and tried to hide underneath Julian. "Too early. Go away."

"I would like to point out that it is nearing the noon meal, my Queen."

"I would like to point out where you and your King can shove it." Her voice was muffled, but the computer seemed to have no issue understanding her threat.

"Is that a denial of his request?" It asked.

"It is a fucking no."

"She said no, you empty box of lights. Next time she's sleeping good, and you wake her up, I'm going to find your plug." Now Julian was awake, and he thumped the band on his wrist. "Asshole."

"My King, your request was denied."

"I heard. We cannot put this matter off any longer. My Queen, I suggest you make yourself presentable."

She stiffened at the sound of his voice and she hated the thrill that went through her.

Julian stiffened and sat up. "Get your ass out of here!"

A tip of a sword was directed in Julian's direction.

Seeing it, she pushed the hair back out of her face, and she gave a quick sweep of the room.

There were at least nine guards crammed into her room in full military dress. What she was assuming was their full military dress. Black candora, sleeves and skirts, and enough shiny metal to blind someone. Except for one who wore the same get up except in grey. Kellum wore the set of robes she'd known he'd have somewhere. The same robes the advisors were wearing when they destroyed her life.

None of that mattered. A tip of a sword was directed in Julian's direction.

The sword at Frick's side was suddenly in her hand. She pushed Julian down and climbed over him with every intention of killing the girl in front of her.

Julian grabbed her around the waist about the same time as Karr's weapon went missing. Which would not stop her from dying.

Karr immediately bowed her head and took a knee.

"She will not fight you, Jessalynn."

His calm voice pissed her off even more. "Good. She'll be easier to kill."

The sword in her own hand disappeared.

"Babe__."

"Don't. That's twice she's thought to harm you. Bitch's about to learn___."

Karr was gone.

She growled and faced Kellum. "Bring her back."

"You are my Queen and if you ask for her to be punished, then she will be. If you ask for her position to be stripped, then it will be. I only ask that you wait to hand out retribution until you are calm and thinking clearly."

She growled again.

"Babe, she's been trained her entire life to protect him and his honor. No different from you flushing when you get up from the toilet seat."

"This is your room. How dare she come in here and____?"

"Technically, this is your room, and he should not be here. He damn sure should not be here while you're wearing that."

Frick shrugged when her eyes swung to him. Then he pointedly looked down so she would too. Everyone else was bowing their heads and had already taken a knee. Kellum had his eyes adverted.

Crap.

She was wearing nothing more than a pair of panties, not even a pair of cute ones, and a loose tank top that was slipping down one shoulder.

Thank god she wasn't a blusher.

There was no graceful way to unstraddle Julian's hips and reach for the blanket.

"Look away, jerk off." Julian ordered.

"I might later, and no. All these guys will only see our Queen, but I remember she was my friend before she was my Queen. Kellum, send for her some food. She has lost too much weight."

"Now you remember me?" Her reply was meant to have some bite to it, but it just came out sad.

"Two can play that game, Jez. You should have come to me. I would have done everything I could to help you. To be there for you. I will forgive you if you forgive me for being brain washed by sleepy, grumpy, dopey, and moody."

He didn't even wait for her answer. At the first sign of a chuckle, he caught her in a bear hug.

She grunted as he nearly squeezed all the air from her. "I missed you too. Why in the hell are all of you in my room?"

"Forgot about that." After placing a quick, sloppy kiss to her forehead he let her down then he grabbed his sword from Kellum. "You would not come to us, so we came to you."

He took one knee and made a great show of touching his sword to the ground at her feet, then turning it around and laying the hilt of it at her bare feet. "My Queen, I pledge to you my honor, my will, and my very life. There is no journey I will not take with you, no request I will not grant you."

The other guards made the same showing with their swords, then they repeated the same words.

"My sword is your sword. My arm is your arm. My honor is your honor. We will use all three to rise you above impair and defeat. May we conquer all your adversaries and vanquish any who would do you harm. May we crush your enemies and destroy your foes. United, we stand. United, we fall. Your will, will be our will. Your word will be our word. Your life will be our life. All Hail the Queen. All Hail the Queen. All Hail the Queen."

They all went silent, their eyes on the hilts that rested at her feet. When they stayed that way, she looked at the only person in the room who was left standing and knew what she was supposed to do.

She couldn't look away from his eyes. This moment was important to him.

His glance never left hers as he pulled out his own sword. He touched the tip to the floor at her feet, then the hilt.

"My Queen, I pledge to you my honor, my will, and my very life. There is no journey I will not take with you, no request I will not try to grant you. My sword is your sword. My arm is your arm. My honor is your honor. I will use all three to rise you above impair and defeat. May I conquer all your adversaries and vanquish any who would do you harm. May I crush your enemies and destroy your foes. United, we stand. United, we fall. Your will, will be my will. Your word will be my word. Your life will be my life. All Hail the Queen. All Hail the Queen. All Hail the Queen."

His eyes stayed on her for another long moment, then he bowed his head and replaced his sword, which she supposed was Karr's sword.

He offered. "Tell them to rise."

It took her a moment to remember how to speak. "Rise."

As one, they stood, sleeved their swords, and stood at ready.

"My men fall out."

Frick winked as he and Godrick left the room.

"I could not allow another day to pass without my Queen having a guard detail. This is Fricka. She will oversee Meline's protection. Damous is your royal and will also be your first in command. Damous, you may introduce your men and assign your orders." Kell motioned to the man in gray.

"If it pleases you, my King. My Queen. Dra."

The man who stepped forward reminded her of Frick in body and built. His hair was completely shaved off. He bowed and looked to Damous.

"My Queen walks to pick up her sister. You have first detail with me. Fricka, you can get back to your detail until the human Meline is returned home. Studdermist."

A taller boy stepped forward. His muscles were almost as impressive as his hair. Pure white and worn just a touch longer than the rest of the men. His eyes had very little color to them.

"Return to your quarters and be at ready. Hernsdomit."

This man was only a few years older than her and had yellowish blond hair that was braided into tight braids that were only about an inch long all over his head. He was like a smaller oak tree.

"Return to your quarters and be at ready." Damous ordered him then turned to her and bowed. "My Queen, I will be nearby if you have need of me. Otherwise Dezrick will keep me inform of your needs and your schedules. Do you have need of my services, my Queen?"

"No."

Kellum addressed her once they were all gone. "I know it will take some getting used to, but it cannot be helped. I need to know that when I am not there, you will be taken care of. For the most part, if it pleases you, just pretend they are not there. They will learn when you have need of them and when you do not."

"So basically, you just took away what little privacy I have."

"No, Jessalynn. Unless they feel you need them, there will only be one of them around and he will stay outside if that is your wish. You need never address them or deal with them if that is your wish. As long as things remain peaceful and you stay within the boundaries, they will keep their distance. Meline will only be watched when she is not with you or in this house. They will learn to blend in with your day-to-day life."

"And if I don't want them?"

"Then I would suggest that you lead a very dull life, my Queen. The rest of the guards will have to swear allegiance to you, but I will leave that to a time of your choosing."

"You think?"

"Human Julian, I would request a meeting with you at your earliest convenience, if it pleases you."

Jess shook her head. "No way. I won't have you threatening him. He has a right to be here, you do not."

"It is regarding his future and he can refuse to attend if that is his wish or your wish. I would never take it upon myself to threaten a family member. Your family is now my family."

She grunted. "That never stopped you before."

For just a moment she saw a touch of unease as he searched his memories. She saw a touch of sadness.

"If it pleases you, I will take my leave now. When you decide about Karr, you can schedule a meeting with me. I would like to suggest that you call the committee together to discuss the matter." He gave a slight incline of his head, then he was gone.

"You have fucking got to be kidding me!" She screamed.