The Tiger Within

"My aura manages to keep it hidden and from hurting, but in all honesty they did it while I was asleep . I don"t even know what the contract terms are . I am working on figuring that out so our main job right now is to make the most of being at the palace . I"m learning all I can about the people and how things work . " Kyera replied shaking her head slowly . The palace was so much more complex than they had ever thought . "

"I see . Have you been able to gain any allies? Anyone who can help protect you there? Those people can be vicious, to each other more or less to you . " Talis asked honestly worried about these creatures . Though it was obvious his princess cared for these two royals, did they for her?

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Yes, Clovis" brother in law is Mordrin . He recognized me and has had my back . Mally and a wolf named Lazren have my back as well . Though there is one in the palace I wish was not . " she added softly looking a bit bothered . Talis sighed seeing her expression, he could roughly gauge the turmoil in Kyera"s heart .

"Oh, who would that be?" Talis asked, knowing there were few who could cause such a reaction . Kyera chuckled softly as her mind wandered to the irony of the moment .

"Her . Akira Mei . " Kyera replied and Talis stared at her a moment . The name was familiar, but only vaguely . Something told him it was a name he should certainly know but… he could not nail it down . Seeing his confusion Kyera sighed . "My Mother . "

"oh… OH wow really?" he asked shock turning to surprise . Kyera nodded slowly .

"It turns out rumors were true . She left me and found a much cushier life and never looked back . She didn"t even know my brothers were gone . " she added with a soft sigh of disappointment . Talis didn"t know how to respond to that . That creature leaving was so hard for that family, he remembered his own brother"s hatred for that tigress . Talis had just been too young . His guilt drug its icy tendrils down his back again reminding him this was his fault . The reunion Kyera never wanted came about from his carelessness .

"I am sorry your in this mess . I should have been more careful . " he added self loathing surfacing in his tone . Kyera shook her head, offering him a soft sad smile .

"No . It was me for a reason, Talis . I needed to make this journey . You were just the easiest way for Destiny to get her way . " Kyera a.s.sured him, spitting the G.o.ddess" name like a curse . "It is part of who I am, little brother . I protect my own . " He frowned, still feeling as though he was a traitor . His brother"s love and the peoples Queen was taken away because of him . At the very least he was more than willing bait, ignoring their warnings as he dashed ahead . It was a mistake he never should have made .

"How will you… when do you think you will come home?" he asked, unable to say the words he really wanted to . Her eyes met his and found them desperate and hopeful . He didn"t want to ask this question . He didn"t want to know the answer, mainly because he was terrified it would be years . There was so much unease in the forest… they needed her home .

"I don"t know . My contract is complicated . I"m trying to figure it out so I can come home . If at all possible I will work out a way to meet with everyone . Perhaps here in the city . For now… Let everyone know I am well . I am more than happy to meet you or any of them here just get a message to me at the palace . " Kyera rea.s.sured him, knowing that the pressure of ruleing would now fall on Talis" young shoulders . It was difficult to accept the position she left him in was similar to the position her brother"s deaths had left her in .

"Should we send messengers?" he asked curiously . Kyera thought for a long moment .

"You can send flyers . They can easy make it into the palace . I will set up a ribbon box in the canopy . That should make it easy . However, if its urgent or sensitive don"t send a missive . You can come in human form and request to see Lady Kyera . " she instructed carefully . Sending letters through the palace could be complicated . If they decided to check her letters things could quickly go wrong .