The Little Monarch & The Silver Fox

Xinyan ran as quickly as her little legs could carry. If Uncle Wolf knew she had snuck out of the palace again, he would be displeased; although he never punished her harshly, her Mothers' were another story. Xinyan's legs caught in the hem of her dress, causing her to tumble down just as the clouds parted to reveal a giant silver moon illuminating the entrance to a long-forgotten cave. 

Following the moon's guidance, Xinyan crawled under a fallen branch into the pitch-black cave. Something tugged at her heartstrings, forcing Xinyan to walk deeper into the cave until a sliver of moonlight illuminated a head of silver hair hanging down.

 Xinyan's Divine eyes lit up at the sight of the pretty male; he looked even better than Uncle Wolf. The male stirred as Xinyan shook his leg, the chains holding him in place creating an eerie sound reverberating throughout the cave.

 "What a curious little thing?" a melodically raspy voice rang all around Xinyan as she stood on her tippy toes and used the silvery stranger's leg for support.

"What's your name?" Xinyan climbed up, holding the stranger like a monkey on a tree. Her pointy fingers pressed against the man's face, "So soft, shall I set you free?" 

The fox smiled, showing his canines, "Is that something a little one can do?"

Xinyan's eyes lit up with mischief, "of course, Uncle Wolf taught me how to break enchantments." Xinyan lifted a hand to the fox's throat and dispelled the chain. "See, it's easy."

Xinyan was proud of herself; it was the first time she had broken such an ancient enchantment. Unfortunately, it drained much of her power, making her sleepy.

"It seems you've worn yourself out, little one," the fox could sense Xinyan's weakening state, "I appreciate your aid, but perhaps you should get some rest."

"But I can do it," Xinyan said drowsily as she slid down and tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes, "I know I can."

The fox let out a husky laugh, the hoarseness thanks to years of silence. "Come back when you're stronger, little one."

Xinyan fell into a deep slumber, unknown to her that someone else had been with them all along.

"It seems she's fond of you," the wolf stepped out of the shadows and pressed his head against the cold earth in greeting.

"Old friend, you've aged," the silver fox's ruby-red eyes glinted with melancholy.

"And you look no different than the last time I laid eyes on you," Tae said, changing into his human form and picking Xinyan up.

The silver fox was starting to lose consciousness once more. Even though one of the seals had been broken, the remaining seals continued to drain his power, leading to exhaustion. "Let her return once she's stronger; I've waited this long, what's, a few more years."

"As your Highness commands." With a sleeping Xinyan, Tae left his master behind. It seemed the time had come to send the child away.