The Tiger Within

"Yes . . . I did . " Mordrin replied shaking his head at his own blunder . Making Kyera relive all this had not been his intention . "The betrayer was Kyera"s guard . He helped a group of bandits kill his fellow guards, and Kyera"s four brothers . " Mordrin replied sighing a bit . It was easier to tell them himself . Making her would be wrong .

"Is this true, Kyera? Does this person have it out for you?" Vella asked seeming curious .

"I don"t know . I was 12 when my brothers were killed . I don"t remember much about that time . " she replied honestly and Mordrin nodded . Her skin was paler now . Her small hands trembling under the table . Clovis stroked the back of her hand with his thumb .
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"I think that"s enough of this . Mother I have decided to invite Kyera to the bride ball . Thoughts?" Clovis interjected dropping a bomb he knew would change the course of the conversation .

He could tell by the expressions at the table, everyone had thoughts . Even Kyera"s controlled little face showed a bit of a embarra.s.sed tint . Her cheeks lightly rosey, making him smile a bit . Then he saw his mother and sister both seemed somewhat curious . Mordrin was grinning ear to ear . Which was interesting in and of itself . However Viren looked confused .

"Your bothering with a bride ball with Kyera as a option?" Viren asked honestly seeming perplexed . she was smart, funny, came from the same kingdom, had royal lines, and above all else she held herself with dignity . The two obviously got along .

"It is my father"s wish, and Kyera has not expressed any intentions toward me . Therefore it"s only fair I abide father"s decision . " Clovis replied . Kyera seemed shocked by the snow Prince"s question . "We are indeed compatible . " he admitted, unable to keep himself from poking her a bit . The flurry of emotions fluttering across her face was adorable .

"I see . It is a good idea . Afterall, Raina adores her and she would be stabilizing for her . A haven in the crowd . " Eve spoke with added consideration . Her expression spoke louder than her words . It was clear the Empress was thinking this over . At that point Vella cleared her throat .

"Kyera, how do you feel about all this?" Vella asked honestly a bit curious . She had tried to decipher each expression as it pa.s.sed her face but that proved difficult . The girl was all over the place . With as much control as she was exerting the subtle hints weren"t enough to nail down her thoughts .

"I am going to be support for Raina . We don"t really have any intentions of me being the bride . " Kyera replied soothingly . "of course they are questioning it, I am a forest girl . I could hardly compare to their high bred women . " Kyera thought a bit mockingly . Vella"s words weren"t sharp but it was clear she was unhappy . The only problem was Kyera misread her displeasure, too emotionally unstable to make sense of it all .

"Whether or not you intend it, Father may make that call . What will you do then?" Vella asked raising an eyebrow at her response . If they didn"t plan to end up together it was a very dangerous gamble . The Emperor was already impressed with Kyera . There was a good chance of him taking more of a liking to her at the ball .

"Father has already a.s.sured me that he would not make the choice for me . After what happened last time . " Clovis tried to sooth the girl beside him . His sisters words had made her a touch anxious .

"I see . Good then . " Vella replied but for some reason she didn"t seem quite convinced . However, she let the topic fall . Kyera offered everyone at the table a apologetic smile .

"I am sorry, but I need to say goodbye to my student and head to my room . " Kyera tried go excuse herself, honestly just wanting to escape . Her chest felt tight and her mind was a bit muddle from the emotional shifts . Clovis looked a bit concerned as she said so . She curtsied low to him and the table .

"Walk safe . We will go to town tomorrow to meet the dressmaker . " Clovis reminded her and Kyera paused for a moment . She gave him a dazzling smile, and the affect almost made his heart skip a beat if it wasn"t for the look in her eyes . That smile was lost on her lips and never found its way to those golden pools of uncertainty .

"It truly isn"t necessary . Thank you for the offer, Fourth Prince Clovis . I appreciate your hospitality and your offer . " he was surprised to hear Kyera sound quite so formal . It was as though he could physically feel her putting distance between them . He excused himself from the table and followed after her .