The Tiger Within

The moonlight poured into the Fourth Prince"s room as he stood looking out at the forest. He had made sure Raina was fast asleep in her bed before heading to his room. A hot tea had been prepared and left for him to enjoy but he had yet to touch it. Instead he poured himself a gla.s.s of spirits and sipped on it as he watched the shadows in the trees. He remembered her expression when he had walked up on her, the mournful and longing in her eyes. What did she see in these trees that he didn"t?

Was she fast asleep in her bed or was she having trouble sleeping? He hoped she was resting well, afterall it was enough that he was losing sleep. Why hadn"t he waited before asking her? Was it too sudden? Then again he was running out of time. There was only a month left until the final test. He had to have a bride by then. Not to mention the fact that she was the only woman he had even considered. She was perfect, how did you settle for someone less after you have met the best? The only problem was, did she have any feelings for him. That kiss had suggested she did. So many of the little things she did for him hinted that she cared. Had he read her wrong? There aren"t very many ways to read a kiss though.

As he looked out at the forest, there was a soft knock at the door behind him. Leaning his forearms against the railing he cast a glance over his shoulder at the closed door. "You may

enter." He called out sipping his drink again. The warmth searing his throat. The long robe he was wearing was tied loosely at his waist and the loose pants hung off his forma  bit, barely hinting at the form beneath. The door opened soundlessly. "What is it?" He asked not bothering to look behind him. Later he would not make this mistake again.

"I need to talk to you." The last voice he had expected to hear told him. He turned around to see Kyera, dressed in a Purple tunic and flowy black pants that created the illusion of a skirt as she stood still. Snowflakes were still sticking to her soft white hair. There was sweat on her brow, her cheeks red and chaffed from the icy wind. He honestly wasn"t sure where she had been but it was obviously she had rushed here to speak with him. For some reason, that made him smile slightly, but then she shivered slightly in the cold. He frowned, and turned to his table, remembering the warm tea, still having a hard time believing she was here.

He was glad she was, but there was something uncomfortable in the way she looked at him, or more of avoided his gaze. She seemed shy and out of breath, partially from the run he was sure, but partially from something else. He had a feeling she was nervous, perhaps even slightly afraid. That didn"t sit well with Clovis but for the moment he had a more important issue to face. She was going to catch cold, and that was one thing he really didn"t want to see.

"Yes, Yes of course, Kyera. Come in." He replied finally moving toward her and shutting the doors onto the balcony. She sighed seeming relieved when he welcomed her in, closing the door behind her gently so not to make a noise. He smiled and adjusted his robe tying it a bit tighter and straightened his hair rather quickly. "Sorry my Guard didn"t alert me of your presence or I would have been more prepared to receive you." He apologized quickly, honestly feeling a bit uncertain with her here so late. She never showed up uninvited before.

"Honestly that is because he doesn"t know I"m here. I… I needed this to be a secret meeting." Kyera replied honestly feeling much more secure in herself. She had to remind herself this had to be done. It was no surprise she was questioning it, praying he was the man she hoped he was. THere was a good chance her father would forgive her for what she had to do, even if it did break the Laws. This was for the good of her people or she would never have considered it. There just wasn"t time to call upon her father and ask for their a.s.sistance. She needed her pack under her hand as soon as she could manage. They needed her protection in order to calm their fears. This was the only way she could see of to happen.