The Tiger Within

Two weeks pa.s.sed as the family of four prepared for the Heir hunt . Clovis had improved greatly in his hand to hand combat . Even his sword training had improved under the practicing hands of the Shadow Veiled Guard . Raina began focusing on her music again, learning her history through the ballads Kyera taught her . Kyera practiced the art of the bow, and improved, her aim got better, though it was not as true as she had hoped, but there was no more time to prepare .

Raina and Lady Eve sat together at the start of the Guardian Wood . The younger sat in her grandmother"s lap and offered her a sad, almost pouting expression . "Grandma, are you sure you will not come with us? I am sure Grandfather Misses you too . " Raina tried to persuade her grandmother, accidentally turning the knife in her heart . She couldn"t blame the child, she just wanted to have her family back together . However, Evelyn wasn"t ready to face that witch again, not with her wearing the crown .
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"Not this time, My dear . I will join you soon, but not today . You go ahead with your mother, and take care of yourself . I will see you when Emperor Mordakai and I come for the Harvest ball . " Evelyn replied carefully, she didn"t want to crush the child"s image of her grandfather . Yes, the Emperor had wronged her but there was no use in poisoning Raina"s memories of her grandfather . Kyera nodded and hugged her grandmother"s neck tightly .

"I will grandma . I am going to miss you . It is going to be weird being back home without you there to tuck me in at night . " Raina replied sighing softly . Her expression was sad enough that Eve was tempted to change her mind . She wanted to go to protect her children… but it wasn"t time yet . She needed to be strong this time around . Eve hugged her back, whispering a blessing of safety and love for her loveing grandbaby .

Kyera stood near the carriage, dressed in a ice blue with flowing sleeves under her riding leathers . It had taken quite a bit of convincing for Clovis to get her to agree ride in the carriage instead of on horseback . She didn"t think it would be harmful, her body was well equipped to handle the baby on horseback . However, he had not been able to convince her not to wear her leathers despite his best efforts . She was more comfortable in them, so He was forced to concede .

Mordrin and Vella stood beside her, helping her secure the final straps that held her luggage in place, as well as the special gear they had needed . Vella growled softly in annoyance, as she watched them prepare to leave . Kyera turned to her sister in law and raised an eyebrow in question .

"I"m sorry, Kyera . I want to go with you so badly . I can"t stand that I am sending you and my brother and my niece alone into a witch"s den without me there . Morvin is so little that I just can"t bring myself to take him there . " Vella tried to explain, there was so much annoyance in her that the cute little boy in her arms fidgeted a bit . His bright golden eyes were filled with confusion as he looked up at his mother .

"Vella, We will be fine . If you want to come along, I am sure your father wouldn"t dare object to me sending a set of Guardsmen to protect you . " Mordrin points out wanting to be as supporting as he could .

"No, if that man will treat my Mother and Brother like that he has no morals . I don"t want to put myself or my child in his care again . We will go to support my brother at the harvest, but not a moment before . " Vella replied all but growling in her anger . Kyera smiled gently at her and hugged her close . Vella was surprised but hugged her with her free arm . Little Morvin hugged his auntie as well out of cuteness . His little chubby cheeks turned into a dimpled smile .