Kyera looked a bit grave as she considered what this pearl meant. Mordrin took it from her and knelt down, he carefully tied the strands around her ankle. "I… thank you. I know why you are doing this. All I can say is thank you." Kyera decided not to try and refuse this honor. Though it came with pressure, she also knew why she had to wear it. Mordrin stood up and hugged her close."Stay safe, win or lose you can always come home." He reminded her. Kyera had to blink back the tears that threatened to pour down her cheeks. Her mind flashed back to her farewell at the Frost Lands. The same words were mimicked then from her grandmother. She hugged him back and took a deep breath before stepping back.
"Thank you. I have never had two places to call home. Once the Bazaar was destroyed I never thought I would have a home again, and now I have two families willing to have me call their home my own." Kyera spoke a bit softly as she wiped her eyes, further trying to push back those tears. She was trying very hard to keep it together.
"Seems I may have to get use to the snow. Now, be careful and take it easy. You take care of that little one in your tummy. I can"t wait to meet our little cub." He added caressing her tummy and Kyera smiled knowing he would be a good uncle to a cub. Clovis walked over and wrapped his arm around his wife"s waist.
"I will take care of your sister. In turn, you take care of Vella and my Mother." He replied and the pair exchanged looks that had deeper meanings. Kyera didn"t even try to understand what was going on between them. She figured it was macho stuff, and thus not her problem at the moment and she had enough to think about on her own.
"Will do." Mordrin agreed as he caught Raina"s eyes. The little girl smiled brightly and dashed over to them, her arms spread open for her uncle. He knelt down and caught her mid jump. He hugged her close, settling her on his hip.
"You keep an eye on your Mommy. Some wolves in sheeps clothing might try and hurt her or your sibling. You need to watch for anyone being strange." He says with a gentle smile. Raina nodded with a serious expression on her little face. At her tender age, she knew there were shady things going on around her back there. Very few people could be trusted.
"I will take care of my Mommy and my baby. You take care of Morvin. I"ll see you soon." Raina told him and smiled. Mordrin chuckled and set her down.
"Deal little Princess." He agreed rather amused by the seriousness in her eyes. She was also wearing riding leathers, with ice blue cap sleeves that mimicked Kyera"s own outfit. She had insisted on matching her mother.
After a few final goodbyes, Raina and Kyera climbed into the carriage, settling against the bench. Clovis sat across from her, knowing it was going to be a long ride and Raina would most likely want to sleep. His eyes watched his wife, knowing she would be going through a flurry of emotions.
He felt guilty, taking her back there. His father had been so cruel, trying to annul their marriage after insisting on it. There had been so much hatred and blind mistakes made. He wasn"t even sure he could mend the relationships that he had burned in those brief moments listening to the snake whispering in The Emperor"s ear.
Clovis watched as Raina laid down on her mother"s lap, her eyes closed as she settled across the seat. Kyera smiled looking down at her, gently caressing her hair, guiding it out of the child"s sleep. That tender stroking soon sent Raina to the land of dreams. The child was blissfully unaware of what was going to happen when they arrived. Neither Clovis nor Kyera had any idea what was going to happen when they actually arrived.
The adults cast each other looks, but didn"t speak. There was no reason for words between them both. Clovis leaned down and gathered his wife"s feet, settling them on his lap. He removed the boots and began ma.s.saging her feet and swollen ankles. Kyera closed her eyes and let those touches erase the tension in her body.