The Tiger Within

"You know we never…" Mordrin began and Kyera nodded .

"And that is exactly why you don"t owe me a explanation . We were never an item . We never intended to be . You found a woman who made you happy . Why would I be upset?" She asked again, standing she approached him, meeting his eyes . He sighed .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"I fell in love with the Princess whose family killed so many of your people . After what happened to your brothers, I felt sick inside but I couldn"t stop it . Vella was my perfect match, the shadow of my heart . " Mordrin tried to explain himself and Kyera"s expression changed from calm and amused to teary eyed . She waited and let him spill his heart and explain how he felt he had betrayed her . Once he finished she hugged him close . His arms wrapped around her as she fought back the tears . "Kyera, you will always be my little sister . I want to help revenge our brothers but… I can"t turn my back on my heart . "

"Mordrin, dear heart my brother"s were murdered by Shifter Kin . It wasn"t the royals . " Kyera explained quietly . "We were betrayed by one of our own, a tiger that you met once before . A guard named Kan . He was close to us but he helped a lion slaughter my brothers . " She explained . Mordrin tensed slightly in anger .

"That Tiger guard that came with you to my keep all those years ago? I didn"t like how he looked at you back then, I can"t believe he would… how do you turn your back on your own blood?" Mordrin growled anger filling his heart . It was almost worse knowing the truth . The betrayal ran so much deeper than he expected . "No wonder you laughed when I said I betrayed you . I don"t know what betrayal really is compared to you . "

"So lets do us both a favor and stop trying to place blame when there is none to own . You fell in love and I am so proud of you . I don"t hold a grudge for the past, I only ask that you raise your family with the same love for us as you have held all these years . " Kyera replied letting him go and stepping back . Mordrin nodded with a smile .

"One day I would love for it to be safe for a Tigress in all her glory to change in the courtyard with no fear of arrow or swords . " Mordrin replied wistfully and Kyera smiled at him, sharing the same dream .

"When it is time, I will be the first to take form in your court, dear friend . At any rate, you should go tell Vella things are better . I will stay tonight and tend to her, hopefully get her on the right path to heal . No telling how long it will take her to wake . It could be a few days to a few weeks . " Kyera replied with a deep sigh . Her eyes fell on the Empress again and all the unknowns that still clouded the issue . She would do her best but there was not telling whether or not it would truly succeed . It would take all her focus for a while .

"If anyone can get her back up, it will be you Kyera . You have always been a fantastic healer . " Mordrin a.s.sured her, expressing his own belief in her ability . She smiled and took a seat beside the bed again .

"Do you know how I would go about getting a broth made and brought up?" She asked curiously . He smiled and nodded .

"I will see to it that some good broth is sent up, and maybe something for you as well . " Mordrin agreed as he turned to walk out the door . "Thank you, just in case they don"t say it, Thank you for being you, Tigress . "

"You as well, my Skin Kin . " Kyera replied as he closed the door .