The Tiger Within

The Emperor didn"t even try to Meet her eyes, knowing she had not forgiven him for what she saw to be a betrayal . There was only a certain amount of ignorance she was willing to tolerate . As Queen Kira entered the house the Empress Dowager shook her head .

"I see, we will have to send Mally and a few trackers to find her . We don"t want an injured Tiger falling prey to something bigger out there . " he replied wiping Raina"s eyes . The little one had finally stopped crying but she was still sad . All the emotions of the day had worn her out .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntRealizing this, Queen Kira walked over and bent down to her level in Clovis"s arms with a soft smile on her face . There was a hint of innocent curiosity in Raina"s face at the older woman"s approach . That curiosity increased when Kira opened her arms as if offering to pick her up . Raina clutched her father"s robes .

"Why don"t I take you to the kitchens for a tasty snack and then we can get you to your rooms for some rest?" Queen Kira asked and about that time the queen felt a chill down her spine . She didn"t have to look to see the expression on the Empress Dowager"s face .

"No . I want my Grandma . " Raina replied, fed up with trying to do things the sneaky way . She was a princess, and more importantly she was tired and bad seen her cousins get their way with temper tantrums . Being as Raina didn"t like being too over the top so she tried the low key pouting instead . It gained an eyebrow raise from her father and her Great Grandmother .

"Sweety that just isn"t possible right now . Your grandma did a bad thing and she has to apologize . Until she does she"s in trouble . " Queen Kira replied gently tapping Raina"s nose with a finger tip . She was acting every bit like a mother teaching a very young child . However, this child was in no mood to learn . "I can be your Grandma tonight, little one . My Grandsons won"t mind sharing . "

"I don"t want to borrow other kids grandmas… . I want my Grandma . " she whimpered softly, not quite sure how she was the only one who saw a difference .

The Queens were pretty, and fun Grandmothers and could tell a bedtime story or tuck her in . however . Empress Grandma was much more than that . She was the best grandma in the whole world . She was warm and sweet and never forgot to have the tea she liked made . Not that weird dragon pearl stuff! Empress grandma always knew just what Raina needed even if Raina didn"t know herself . If she couldn"t have her warm tigress friend, at least they could let her have Grandma .

She knew there was no use talking to the queen, so she looked up at her Daddy . Clovis frowned slightly and pointed at his father . This low key action was more than enough to strengthen her resolve . "Daddy, will you put me down please?" Raina asked her little mind set on what she would do .

The other three adults watched as he set her down . To the Emperors dismay she walked to his feet and turned that tired, sad little face up at him . It was easy to tell the child was exhausted . It tugged on his heart to see her like this .

"Grandfather . . . I just want to see my grandma… you can let me… can"t you?" she asked softly . "All the other kids got to see their grandmothers but Raina… why am I being punished Grandfather? What did Raina do wrong? I won"t ever do it again I promise . " tears filled her eyes as the Emperor suddenly found himself at a loss .

"I will go with you both . " The Empress Dowager smiled, knowing her great granddaughter was a sly little fox .