Her Protectors, Their Love

Yvette was sitting in a huge robe on John's lap, picking at food with him as they relaxed before the ball. "Yvette shouldn't you be changing? Heck I'm already dressed up and the others are getting dressed now."

She shook her head violently, placing the tray of food that was on her lap onto the bed and pulling herself close to him, burying her face into his neck, "No thanks. Plus you know my damn maids throw a hissy fit if I happen to dress without them. Plus I am just SO comfy being here with you." He wrapped his arms around her as she said that, kissing her cheek over and over again until she'd turned bright pink. With everyone else stealing her away at any possible second, having her alone every now and then was a blessing and he knew it.

"Well how about you let me win the bet today and you can be as comfortable with me all night as you please?," he asked, kissing her lips lightly.

"You just might sir, seeing as how you've gotten a head start."

He laughed, tickling her until they heard a knock on her door. Quickly, she pulled herself reluctantly off his lap and he got off the bed. They knew it couldn't be Cameron, Patrick or Mal since they would have simply walked into the bedroom without knocking, only maids and butlers knocked. "Come in," Yvette called out in an annoyed tone. In came some maids, Lorena included, as well as Auric who was not only there to dress her but for the party as well.

"My beauty!"

"Auric! So glad you're here."

"I wouldn't miss this party for anything my dearest princess," he said, kissing her cheek lightly and laughing joyfully. He looked at John, who had tried his best to be invisible and sitting down on a sofa in a corner, watching the scene. "Well hello there John, what a PLEASURE to see you here. Will you be staying?"

Before John could answer, Yvette laughed, shaking her head. As much as she knew John would enjoy watching her get dressed, she was saving him from Auric's flirtations and also she had planned on her dress being a surprise to all of them, "John will be leaving, right my dearest guard?"

He loves her tiny displays of affection towards him in public and stood up with a smile, "Yes. Excuse me my princess." He winked at her and left the room, leaving Yvette alone with the crowd.

"Princess," he head maid Janice said, laying out stocking and everything needed for her hair and makeup, "off of the bed with you and onto this chair."

~~~~

"How is she?," asked Cameron looking up from tying a boot.

"Getting ready. Auric is here with her dress and all, expect plenty of looks all night." John laughed, sitting down in a chair and leaning back. "Think we should warn Aiden, Jacob, and them?"

"Haha, nah. I love watching those four be scared by him," said Mal, entering the room as he put on a cuff link, "It's what they deserve, chasing after Yvette the way they do. They have a damn princess."

Patrick walked in last, securing a sword to his left hip, a gun to his right. "Someone mention Aiden and Jacob? Those two were just talking about getting Yvette to dance with them."

John made a face, "Well great. We'll have to nip that in the bud."

With that comment, in walked Aiden and Jacob, wide smiles on their faces, "You four are just scared she may be getting tired of you."

Mal raised an eyebrow, folding his arms to his chest. "No you asshole, you're just mad you two got stuck with one of the most annoying of all the princesses."

~~~~

Yvette felt herself grow annoyed with Lorena's looks more and more with every passing minute. As she felt her corset being tightened more and more by Janice, listening to Auric's gossip about his talks with other dress makers about some of the noble ladies and her sisters' gowns, in came her second annoyance of the evening, her sister Endora, already dressed and ready. Her gown was a gray/silver tone, big and fluffy with large, puffy sleeves. Other than that, Endora looked quite nice with her hair and makeup done. She didn't tell her that of course, instead shooting her a look with narrow eyes. "Is that your face Endora or a mask? Didn't you know it wasn't Hallow's Eve?"

"Quite funny sister, are you going in a corset or a dress? You, of all princesses, would show up naked."

Lorena laughed a little, making both sisters shoot her evil looks. It was one thing for Endora and Yvette to tease one another but for Lorena to assume she could join in, in any way, was not allowed in their eyes. "Damn it, Janice I want Lorena out of my room immediately! Take her to the kitchen to clean dishes or what have you if she is needed but I will not have her here! Damn whore. Allow Auric to finish lacing me in, take her out of my sight! Now!"

Janice nervously bowed, allowing Auric to take her place as she grabbed Lorena's arm and almost pulled her out of the room. Once outside, Janice shook Lorena, whose face was red with embarrassment and anger. Janice spoke quietly but with much force, "Lorena! When your mother died I swore to make sure you knew your place, that you followed orders, yet all you do is meddle and put yourself where you do not belong. You are no princess Lorena. Please, cease your attempt to join their world."

"It is MY world as well!"

"It is not. And not only do you meddle with the princesses but with the King's favorite daughter. You leave Yvette alone. That child is the apple of the King's eye and you will let her be."

"If I... If I were acknowledged as the King's daughter... he'd love me more. He'd see how much more beautiful I am and I'd be his precious jewel."

"Child, you are mistaken to think these things. She is not only his jewel for her beauty but for her heart. Come, to the kitchens to see if you are needed. If not you must retire."

~~~~

Finally, alone in her bedroom and she waited for her guards, Yvette studied herself in the mirror. The dress was exactly how she'd wanted it. Strapless, and made of deep red silk, the top of the dress was fitted to the shape of her body until it reached her hips. The material then began to bunch up, flaring out like a bell, and began to reveal the tulle that formed the rest of her dress. The dress dragged on the floor only slightly now that her 5 inch black heels were placed on her feet. She could see how perfectly her eye makeup had been done under the wide dark ribbon, almost cat-like. Suddenly she felt arms wrap around her waist and spin her about, she caught Cameron's reflection in her mirror. "Someone got nice and pretty for us."

"Yeah princess, teasing much lately?"

She laughed, kissing Cameron's cheek then winking at Mal. "Well since you guys have a little wager going on I decided to give you all a little incentive."

"Well," Mal said, approaching her and wrapping his arms around her waist, "We have a small favor to ask."

"And a present, you forgot the present, " Patrick reminded him, kissing Yvette's shoulder.

"Ah yes, well, first of all, no dancing with Endora's guards."

"What?"

"For us please? We'll just have to kill them if you don't listen and then if they take us away to prison and then you'll be alone this winter," Patrick laughed.

John spoke up with a smile, "So when you are freezing all alone in your bed, you'll regret crossing us."

"Okay okay, you four fools. I get it, no dancing with Endora's guards...," she said. "Now can we get to the fun present part?"

Patrick was messing with her dress, feeling under the first layer of silk, "Think you can hide something here?"

Yvette didn't hide her confused look, "Well sure I suppose, what is it?"

"Your present," John said, pulling a dagger in a leather sheath with a long strap. Mal was lifting up the first layer of material as John tied the leather strap around her waist and when John was done Mal dropped it, Cameron and Patrick fluffed it up a bit before they all stepped back to see if they could notice it hidden.

She looked at them with narrow eyes, hating their silence and secrets. "Okay what the hell is this for?"

"Can you get to it quickly? We can't see it atleast, no one will know you have it."

Yvette went for it, pulling it out a little before letting it back down into the sheath, "Can someone please explain this or I'll refuse to wear it."

"Yvette we just want to make sure if we're not close enough you have something to protect yourself."

"But... you guys can't think something will happen tonight.... Seriously, it's just a ball, not some war."

John smiled, kissing her cheek softly, "You look absolutely amazing Yvette. Just keep your eyes open will you? Something happens to you I don't know what I'll do."

Mal held out his hand to her, helping her off the small pedestal she'd been standing on, "Let's go my princess, the ball awaits you."

~~~~

This was not one of the traditional balls held throughout the year. Instead of strict men with meek wives walking about discussing business and politics, the older people in attendance stood by as everyone crowded the dance floor. The music, somewhat traditional, but much more fun to dance to as there was no way traditional dances could be done to it. Yvette looked all around, letting her head lean back softly as she closed her eyes and listened to the music for a second before opening her eyes with a small laugh, she looked over her shoulders at her guard, raising an eyebrow at them. They had never seen her that way before, in an environment they didn't regularly enjoy. She winked at them with a smile, "Let the game begin then? Try and find you four." With that she'd disappeared into the crowd. She could feel everyone against her. She spotted her sisters and brothers in all areas, dancing with nobles. Some of her sisters with dancing with the soldiers, making her imagine her own. With that she felt someone jump on her back with a laugh. Kaitlyn was already a bit tipsy, probably having been drinking with her soldiers.

"Look at my DARLING sister. Your girlfriend is here you know...," she giggled.

"Leona? Where?"

"With her new boy toy. What? Are you going to be jealous of seeing her with a man?," Kaitlyn teased, bumped her hip softly.

"No you silly girl, last time I checked, I have four men of my own I'd much rather be with. Leona and I only played once and it was fun but you know it's not like that. Not like YOU and Iris."

"Ah yes, Iris. She's here too. Probably with Leona. Those two did always enjoy each other much more than us. I just don't know. They ARE fun but don't you think our soldiers are just much more?"

Yvette laughed, taking the glass Kaitlyn held in her hand and drank what she confirmed was not simple punch. "Quite true. I wonder where those silly things are, mine are on the lookout for me."

"My soldiers were discussing that your boys had a little wager going on. Who are you going to let win?"

Yvette laughed, dancing around, holding her sister's hand. "Not sure yet. But hey, I have a question, did your soldiers warn you about something happening tonight?"

Kaitlyn laughed, twirling her sister around the dance floor, "Good, it's not just my boys being paranoid. Makes me wonder how paranoid they are really being though. My guys strapped a gun under one of these folds somewhere. I've never even shot one!"

"I haven't either. Look at those two!"

Leona and Iris were very beautiful, Leona with her tanned silk-like skin and cushion lips, Iris with bright green eyes and dark skin. They knew it was them, even with masks on since there was no one like them in Yvette and Kaitlyn's mind. They were dancing together, tongues running over each other's shoulders and necks as they danced. Made Yvette long for her soldiers. Leona's eyes had rested on her as she pulled away from Iris and she motioned for Yvette and Kaitlyn to join them with a finger. Kaitlyn giggled, "Should we?"

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Aiden looking at her with a smile. She could tell it was him by his dark black hair and the sly smile he always wore. She wasn't attracted to Endora's guards enough to sleep with them, but she loved a good flirt. However, knowing that she'd promised the boys she wouldn't dance with them gave her only one option. She turned back to Leona and Iris, reaching out for Leona's extended hand. Leona left Iris, giving her attention to Yvette. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Iris and Kaitlyn join, Iris kissing her sister's cheek as they began to dance. "You look lovely my princess," Leona purred.

"And you, my darling maiden, look divine. I haven't seen you since our last little play date," she said, biting on her friends shoulder, "How horrible of you to tease the way you do."

"You're one to talk. I see your guards still dislike me."

"Oh?" Yvette looked over her shoulder at Cameron's eyes burning holes into her back. "Oh dear, well they'll never understand why I insist on having a nibble of you every now and then."

"We could now, your room will be nice and lonely."

Yvette considered her offer but shook her head, kissing her cheek. "Troublemaker. Do come visit me soon." She left her behind, walking towards Cameron and wrapping her arms around his waist. "You found me dear, you haven't won yet."

"Key word there. We have to let you have a little fun, plus, I have yet to dance with you."

"Silly, you are now." She felt his heart beating against hers. All the soldier had on simple black masks, but they suited her boys perfectly. She had never had a interest for noble boys for the simple fact that they were almost as fussy as most females. Cameron was gripping her, pulling her so close her sense were flooded with him. She loved the times Cameron treated her that way, like the center of the universe. Eventually she felt hands on her shoulders, spinning her around. Patrick, with a wide smile, pulling her out of Cameron's arm and into his own.

"Sorry buddy, she owes me a dance too."

"It's fine, you haven't won yet." Cameron winked at Yvette and then headed away, leaving Patrick alone with Yvette.

"You two are too much, I swear," Yvette laughed.

"This is war, no time for play. Feel like leaving yet maybe?," he asked hopefully.

"Not quite. I'm enjoying all this fighting over me. Plus, I owe you a dance." She was quite surprised how well he could dance, considering the four of them rarely went to balls or any parties for that matter. As she danced with him she found him, standing alone watching her in the crowd.

If there was anything in the world she loved was Mal when he bothered to get ready. She wished he wasn't wearing the mask as he smiled at her, knowing that the little wrinkles next to his eyes when he smiled were enough to make her smother him with kisses. She reached out her hand as he did, giving Patrick's hand a small affectionate squeeze as she let go to dance with Mal. He had one hand behind his back and another reaching out for her. She almost reached him until a hand intercepted and pulled her in their direction. She didn't recognize this person at all with a mask on their eyes. Suddenly in those moments she could hear a commotion begin in the ballroom. Yvette's first reaction was to reach for the dagger in her dress and she quickly pulled it out. She suddenly felt the person jerk her forward. A dagger pierced her skin, through the layers of material on her body. She, in turn, returned the favor, swinging her arm and piercing the person in their side. The man yelled in pain, grabbing her hand and pushing her back. She began to feel weak as she attempted to put pressure on her wound. Mal called her name out loudly and suddenly she felt arms swooping her upwards. She couldn't tell what was going on anymore, becoming weaker with each second. She knew who was holding her, John. He'd been walking towards her as well, not seeing Mal nearby.

"John! Take her to her bedroom now. Stop the bleeding. I'm killing the bastard who did this," Mal roared, as Patrick and Cameron ran to them through the panicked crowd and the soldiers crowding the area.

"Yvette? You two what's going on?"

Patrick seemed out of breath, but anger flooded his tone, "She's not the only one. You see who it was?"

"She stabbed him, I've lost him in the rush. John, take her NOW. Get the bleeding to stop. Don't go anywhere else. With so many injured, anyone who can help won't have time."

"Mal?," Yvette asked softly.

"Princess, we'll be there soon. John has you." With those words, Mal, Patrick, and Cameron left them, out the huge doors in pursuit.

"Yvette, stay with me okay? I'm going to get this fixed I promise." She could hear the worry in his voice. Inside, he was panicking. He couldn't lose her, they couldn't. Yet suddenly, it was up to him to make sure they didn't. "I'm proud of you, he said, over the rush of people and loud voices, "You got him in the side. He won't make it far. They'll find him. I wish I could be there to kill the bastard myself."

"No... stay with me...."

"No Yvette, I'm not going anywhere. I promise you." He kicked open her doors, knowing that he had probably busted the lock. He placed her on a sofa, fluffing a pillow and putting it under her head. "Baby," he began, realizing it was the first time he'd ever used that word outside of a intimate situation. He felt himself shaken to his core. He wanted badly to go and find the man with the others, make him suffer and cause him more harm than Yvette had already done. Instead, he knew, it was more important to get Yvette's wound tended to and he knew that out of the four of them, he was the most qualified. He'd saved Mal's life before, during the war. Mal had been shot and John had found him, making sure he made it. He was sure that this was the reason Mal sent him with Yvette. "I'm going to have to cut the dress off you Yvette."

"I... I... corset. Cut it."

"Okay, just don't talk anymore. They'll be back soon and you're going to be fine my princess."

She smiled weakly, groaning from pain. Things were growing darker and darker as she felt John begin to cut and rip the clothes off her body. The last thing she saw and felt was her door opening as Mal entered, followed by Patrick and Cameron, all covered in blood. She could see John open his mouth and speak to them but she couldn't hear what he said as she fell into darkness.