Swan Sister Read Online Free Page B

captivated his heart. In his dream they walked through a flowering garden, sharing their innermost thoughts. Khan bent his head to kiss the princess, but instead of her lips he felt the soft tickling of Golden Fur’s whiskers on his cheek.
    “Rise, my prince, for today is the last trial.”
    Khan woke and saw a tray of bread and cheese. He ate sparingly and drank a small sip of the water.
    “I dreamed of the princess again,” he said.
    “And how did you find her?”
    “More beautiful than before,” he replied.
    “Do you love her?”
    “Yes,” Khan answered. “I think I do.” He rose, eager to be done with the final task. “What must I do?” he asked Golden Fur.
    She lowered her head, her whiskers quivering. “There is nothing I can say, for no other suitor has yet come so far.”
    Khan gathered Golden Fur into his palm. He smelled the sweet scent of almonds on her fur. “Don’t worry, small one.” He tucked her into his pocket, and with the bold courage that comes from love he strode through the castle gates.
    The Guardians were there to meet him, seated on jeweled thrones. Over their shoulders they wore mantles made from golden fur. The largest Guardian, his black-tipped ears flat against his skull, rose to greet Khan.
    “For your final task, my prince, we demand that you bring us one more pelt of fur to complete my mantle.” The Guardian held up his cloak and showed Khan the bare spot at the hem about the size of Golden Fur’s back. “Do this, and the princess and her kingdom are yours. Fail, and we will tear you apart with our claws.”
    Khan’s blood ran cold. In his pocket Golden Fur trembled. Slowly Khan began to search the rooms of the castle, wondering what he should do. The Guardians followed close behind him, their claws clicking against the stones, their breath hot on his neck.
    When he came to the last room, Khan realized it was useless to pretend any longer. He turned to the Guardians with a heavy heart. There were no other creatures with golden fur but the one hiding in his pocket, and he knew as he faced the Guardians that he would not betray her. He thought of the princess and her sad smile, and though he loved her, he hoped she would understand.
    “Well?” hissed the largest Guardian.
    “I cannot find the creature you seek,” Khan answered simply.
    “Are you sure?” asked the second Guardian. She lifted her nose and sniffed the air. “I can smell it close by,” she growled.
    “No,” Khan said, tightening his hand on the hilt of his sword.
    Without warning, Golden Fur wriggled out of his pocket. She scampered quickly across the tiled floor.
    The largest Guardian drew back one huge paw, claws extended to strike. Khan threw himself between the great paw and Golden Fur. The sharp claws cut deep, scoring five crimson lines across his chest. Khan fell, the pain blinding him to all but the sight of Golden Fur trapped between the claws of the second Guardian, her earrings jingling as she ducked her head to nip at the creature beneath her paw.
    “No!” Khan shouted and, despite his pain, released his sword and struck the largest Guardian in the chest as the monster pounced. To Khan’s amazement his sword passed through the Guardian with ease, and the Guardian’s hollow head, still snarling, rolled across the floor. Blue smoke steamed from the depths of the headless body. The Guardian with silver-capped teeth attacked Khan, and with a renewed courage Khan countered with his sword, sparks flying as the edge of his sword slid against the polished claws. But as before, Khan’s sword slashed through the body of the howling Guardian, and his form split apart like the two halves of a gourd. Scorpions and centipedes rushed from the empty husk.
    “Release Golden Fur,” Khan shouted as he stood, hislegs trembling and weak, and faced the third Guardian. She hunched her shoulders, her fur bristled, and her twitching tail whipped up a storm of dust, blinding him. Khan raised his arm to shield