The Tiger Within

Clovis didn"t realized that the curiosity in her eyes was focused on his for the few seconds they spend focused on one another. His gentle blues were soft and inviting, and there was another emotion she was trying to place… it was so familiar but not from these eyes. Familiar but not the same, it was deeper and more hopeful.

The pair broke eye contact when Kyera looked away, lost in thought. Soft pink tinged her fair cheeks and he couldn"t help but smile. Carefully weaving his way through the crowd, Clovis took her outside. The snow had stopped falling and the world was blanketed in snow.

The shadows played across the reflective surface casting beautiful shades of blues, blacks, and purple across the ground. Kyera couldn"t help but sigh as she took in the beauty of the land around her. The carefully manicured front courtyard and garden were beautiful and looked like a fairy tale wonderland. Yet, like a fairy Tale it wasn"t real. There was no wild to this forest, it was a tamed spirit, its soul suppressed by someone"s aesthetic pleasure.

"Why the sigh? I"m the one who is supposed to be depressed about this party remember?" Clovis teased with a chuckle, lightly b.u.mping his shoulder into her. Kyera looked at him as though she had forgot he was there, and for a moment he felt a spark of an urge to level the century old forest.

"I miss home. The snow fall there… it was so beautiful. Wild and free filled with life." Kyera tried to explain the vibrance of the Bazaar but it was almost something he would have to see to understand. It was something she may never see again.

"I would very much like to see your home. It must be spectacular to have raised you and Moon." Clovis replied with a gentle smile. She looked at him curious to see if he was sincere. The warmth in his gaze was surprisingly soothing for her heart, even as she prepared for the sadness of her next words.

"I will miss it." she whispered her gaze once again drawn to the forest to avoid the feelings he was stirring in her. Clovis saw the mournfulness in her and recognized the monotone voice of mourning.

"Why is that?" he asked frowning softly at the pain in her tone. For a moment he wished he could take her hand and send her home himself. Kyera sighed, turning and putting her back to the cold banister. The warm dress swirling around her legs as she did so.

"A dark power is gathering in the woods, Fourth Prince. If I go home, back to the forest they will get this." she gently removed her earpiece and rolled it over in her hand.

Behind the stone, held in place by metal wire and silken string was a key. The key itself was only 5 or six grains of rice placed end to end made up the entire length of the key. Intricate carvings indicated there was more to the key. Pieces that fit over it to create a full key. Little jewels glowed at the top, where three arches met the shaft. His eyes widened as he recognized it from lessons long past.

"Is that the key to the Fae Realm?" Clovis asked honestly shocked to see such a artifact here. Kyera smiled, rather impressed by his knowledge. She placed the ear piece back onto her ear and allowed her hair to cover it slightly.

"Yes. My father was a keeper of the Key but this is only part of it. You see the Key of the Fae Realm is a large part of why your father tried to destroy the Shifter Kin. He wanted the key and they refused to give it to him." Kyera explained and he frowned.

"No, He just hated their kind because of what they had done to him." He replied and Kyera laughed coldly.

"Has no one told you the truth of what happened before you were born? No one in all these years has been honest with you?" Kyera asked honestly surprised as she turned to face the forest again, watching the shadows dance in the moonlight.

"Tell Me." He replied softly. Kyera sighed and stared out into the night as she started to speak.