The Tiger Within

"Yes, but I choose where to eat this time . " Kyera countered with a coquettish smirk . it was Clovis" turn to cough slightly and turn a bit red . He would never forgive that guild master for sending him into a brothel with a lady . Clovis very much hoped he had a good laugh because his life was going to be less pleasant for a while .

"Yes well, I have to concede there . However dinner tonight, I have arranged . Care to join us?" Clovis extended the offer as he stood . Kyera gracefully moved the chair back and raised to her feet . Her dark dress flowing around her as she did . The breeze toying with the thin shadow fabric .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"I would be delighted . " Kyera replied with a humble, sweet smile . Clovis felt his heartbeat quicken a bit as she took his arm, standing close enough for him to catch her sent . It was soft and warm, faintly of medicinal herbs and tea spices but also the undertone of forest scents . Earthy and warm, unlike those pure flower scents . It was more real .

"Good . We must not keep the others waiting too long . " Clovis replied guiding her toward the dining hall in his Palace . Kyera followed quietly, honestly a bit lost in thought as she considered his words this evening .

It wasn"t till they entered the dining hall that she realized he had indeed said others . Sitting at the low table were 4 people . Two of whom, Kyera recognized . One being the Empress and the other being Mordrin . Beside him sat a beautiful woman who resembled The Empress and Kyera could vaguely guess was Mordrin"s beloved Vella . However the other man at the table, Kyera didn"t recognize at all .

He was tall and straight backed . A shorter silvery mustache and beard filling out is square jaw . Silver hair was pulled back into a rather complex braid that Kyera vaguely recognized from the Snow Phoenix Kingdom . His black eyes a stark contrast to his fair skin and hair . He eyed her critically but a small smile curved his lips . Kyera could smell the faint scent of a fellow predator .

"Snow cat . " she whispered and he smiled at her, they shared a moment of understanding . Kyera then understood she was not alone in this room . The Snow Kin do not follow forest Law and honestly have their own Codes, but Kyera knew they would never truly endanger their kingdom, or their cousins of the forest .

He stood and bowed at her . Kyera swept a deep curtsy seemingly to the room, but his bow was obviously to her . "Lady Kyera Shade of the Moon, I have heard so much of you . " he greeted with a toothy smile . Kyera was taken back by his knowledge of her . She had no idea where he would have learned anything of her since she knew nothing of him .

"My lord, forgive me but I do not know to whom I speak . " Kyera greeted honestly and he looked slightly disgruntled but she continued fluently . "Would you do me the Honor of correcting my error?"

Mordrin stood as well and joined the three standing . "My apologies, Lady Kyera as your mutual acquaintance i should introduce you three . Lady Kyera, Prince Clovis this is Viren Frostmoon . He is the crown Prince of the Snow Phoenix Empire . " Mordrin introduced and the white haired man bowed his head respectably . Kyera"s eyes lit up .

"Your Queen Kathry"s son!" she realized aloud and he winced slightly . "She was such a honorable and elegant woman . I am so sorry for what happened to her . I miss her very much . " Kyera extended her sympathies as she recalled the older woman . No wonder he looked slightly familiar . He clearly resembled his mother .

"I am surprised to hear you speak so fondly of her after… everything . " he trailed off and Kyera"s eyes darkened . She knew exactly what he spoke of . During the hunts, Kyera"s grandfather had begged for safe haven in the Phoenix lands, but had been asked to wait . One group had forcibly took up refuge in one of her cities and ended with everyone being denied . It had cost quite a few lives, but was the fault of the outcast kin . Not the lady .

"I held no one at fault but the ones who crossed her . " Kyera a.s.sured him carefully aware of the non kin in the room .