The Tiger Within

Clovis was quiet for several moments as he looked her over . Kyera transformed back to human and the shadows draped over her body to form a dark purple dress that simply covered her from the b.r.e.a.s.t.s to the knees in soft fabric . He watched her and nodded slowly as she gave his mind time to come to terms with what he was seeing .

"Clovis… I wanted to tell you but, it"s against the laws . We have hidden in fear for so long, I didn"t want to chance causing trouble . I had to protect my people…" Kyera tried to explain but she knew she was tripping over her words and making very little sense but she had to try before he settled on his opinions . She couldn"t read his face, and that worried her . He was so carefully blank that it was even more unnerving . Her eyes teared up as she felt helpless for the third time in her life . "Please don"t be angry . I didn"t betray you . I served you truly as Moon and as Kyera . I just had to be true to my people too . A princess has to protect her people and the laws and the forest has the same concept . A forest princess must take care of her people even if every fiber in her being wants to tell someone what she truely is she can"t . I can"t . I couldn"t" do anything and now I have no choice but to come to you and beg you to accept me for what I am . Please… clovis… say something . " Kyera begged kneeling down as if for his forgiveness .
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Clovis finally made a move . He walked over to her, standing in front of Kyera for a long moment . He slowly lowered himself down to her level, so they were both at each other"s eyes . He reached a gentle hand out, softly brushing away the tears on her cheeks . Her lips parted in surprise as he lovingly gazed at her . Clovis offered a soft smile as he lifted her chin to its normally proud angle .

"Kyera, I am so sorry . I am sorry for the pain my family has caused your kind . I am sorry for the burden you have had to carry at my side . Most of all I"m sorry this doesn"t change anything . " He replied softly, his voice just as crystal clear and firm . She was caught unaware and confused .

"Doesn"t change anything?" She asked her heart sinking . Did her gamble fail? Did her complete obedience to him not change his mind on the shifters? Had she just put all of her heart into a reveal that would in the long run only result in her death?

"Yes, I am afraid I don"t care what you are, Kyera . Whether you be human, shifter, or fae I"m afraid that I still want you for my wife . " Clovis replied and she froze . Her eyes found his and her complete confusion was clear in her eyes . She was so lost . He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, hugging Kyera for a moment while he let this sink in . What he hadn"t expected was her to break down into tears on his shoulder . Without another word he held her and let her express her pent up emotions .

"I"m sorry, Clovis I didn"t mean to break down . I just . . There has been so much to go wrong today that I just… I expected this to go so much worse than it did . " Kyera tried in vain to explain herself . He frowned, realizing that she was so tense about his response, had she doubted him?

"Kyera, how could it go any other way? You trusted me enough to tell me your deepest secret . How could I not be touched that you offered yourself to me like this?" Clovis asked smiling as he settled her down beside the table again . He handed her the tea again . "Drink it, you need to warm up . "

"Thank you . I need it . However this is not the only thing I needed to talk to you about . Clovis before I can marry you, I need your help . " Kyera added softly . He smiled at her relaxing a bit .

"I will do anything I can . Just talk to me . " He replied drinking his own tea, letting it sober himself up . The tea was actually working well .