The Tiger Within

Clovis couldn"t help himself, he slid one arm around her waist and his other behind her knees . Gently, he moved her onto his lap cradling her close to him . He buried his face in her neck, taking in the liveliness of her sweet scent . With both arms wrapped around her waist, he was mindful of her injury in his desperation to hold her .

At first, Kyera was surprised . The vulnerability and sweetness in his actions was something new to her . It was so obvious he had been terrified she wouldn"t wake up . A little unsure of herself, Kyera set one arm across the back of his shoulders, and rested her cheek to his barely kept hair . There were no words she could think of to say, but her hand caressing his back was more than she had been able to do in a long time . It was more than enough for now .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntThen, with a shuddering breath and a gentle squeeze tighter, he relaxed . "Kyera, there is so much I want to ask you, but I don"t know how . "

"I… I trust you will find your words when the time is right . Perhaps now is not the time?" she offered gently . His aura was a tidal wave of conflicting currents, each desperately trying to direct the waves . Her own was able to contain it, and sooth it some, but the underlying emotions still lingered .

"Perhaps not . I should go tell Mom your awake . " Clovis replied a bit reluctantly . Kyera was taken back a bit by his words but realized it was kind of expected . He had been by her side, and here in the snow lands while she slept . They were also married so Crystalsa allowing him to call her mom was almost a given . Then a thought occurred to her .

"Not yet, is there a brush and a hair pen on the table? Perhaps a simple ribbon?" Kyera asked as he set her down . Her hands raised to a.s.sess her hair and found it soft and braided . It was obvious someone a bit unskilled had woven her hair . A few sections crossed the wrong way but, it was hardly noticeable .

He chuckled and took a small wooden kit off the bed side . It was wooden, with a handle and several holders around the outside .  She could see a brush, several fine combs, and clips and pins of different sizes as well as a hand mirror . All the tools were made of Ice Jade while the accessories were a numerous, colors, shapes and sizes . "This should do . " he sat beside her . Kyera was surprised as he took the braid from her hand and unwound it . Then he took a comb and began detangling and straightening the strands . She felt her cheeks growing hot .

"I can do it…" she offered a bit meekly but he ignored her and continued brushing . She couldn"t deny that it felt heavenly, letting someone tend her hair . The shadows had done it for her for years but this was different . It was a new level of intimacy that she was surprised to find she enjoyed .

While she was lost in thought he had pulled her hair into a side ponytail beneath her ear and braided it . His fingers deftly twirling the strands for the intricate plaits . After loosening some strands, seeming to ruin it he wound it into a bun under her ear, using a hair comb . Suddenly a silver rose seemed to rest beneath her ear with emerald leaves and white rose buds peeking out beside it . "There, presentable?" he asked handing her the mirror .

Without waiting for a response he went to the closet and gathered a simple fur cloak and breathable dress . "I refuse to truss you up in a corset, so you"re going to have to tolerate without it . " he replied before helping her change into the soft garment . Kyera was surprisingly obedient but partially because this was so surreal . He was tending to her every need and keeping her close . Was this how he truly felt for her?

While she was lost in thought he wrapped the blanket back around her, so only her head stuck was free . "Stay . " he ordered, his eyes deathly serious . Kyera, who naturally wanted to tease him, thought better of it .

"I will stay . " she tried to rea.s.sure him, knowing it was because she had scared him . She was in the wrong, so she could only tolerate his overprotectiveness for the moment .