The Tiger Within

Kyera looked a bit grave as she considered what this pearl meant . Mordrin took it from her and knelt down, he carefully tied the strands around her ankle . "I… thank you . I know why you are doing this . All I can say is thank you . " Kyera decided not to try and refuse this honor . Though it came with pressure, she also knew why she had to wear it . Mordrin stood up and hugged her close .

"Stay safe, win or lose you can always come home . " He reminded her . Kyera had to blink back the tears that threatened to pour down her cheeks . Her mind flashed back to her farewell at the Frost Lands . The same words were mimicked then from her grandmother . She hugged him back and took a deep breath before stepping back .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Thank you . I have never had two places to call home . Once the Bazaar was destroyed I never thought I would have a home again, and now I have two families willing to have me call their home my own . " Kyera spoke a bit softly as she wiped her eyes, further trying to push back those tears . She was trying very hard to keep it together .

"Seems I may have to get use to the snow . Now, be careful and take it easy . You take care of that little one in your tummy . I can"t wait to meet our little cub . " He added caressing her tummy and Kyera smiled knowing he would be a good uncle to a cub . Clovis walked over and wrapped his arm around his wife"s waist .

"I will take care of your sister . In turn, you take care of Vella and my Mother . " He replied and the pair exchanged looks that had deeper meanings . Kyera didn"t even try to understand what was going on between them . She figured it was macho stuff, and thus not her problem at the moment and she had enough to think about on her own .

"Will do . " Mordrin agreed as he caught Raina"s eyes . The little girl smiled brightly and dashed over to them, her arms spread open for her uncle . He knelt down and caught her mid jump . He hugged her close, settling her on his hip .

"You keep an eye on your Mommy . Some wolves in sheeps clothing might try and hurt her or your sibling . You need to watch for anyone being strange . " He says with a gentle smile . Raina nodded with a serious expression on her little face . At her tender age, she knew there were shady things going on around her back there . Very few people could be trusted .

"I will take care of my Mommy and my baby . You take care of Morvin . I"ll see you soon . " Raina told him and smiled . Mordrin chuckled and set her down .

"Deal little Princess . " He agreed rather amused by the seriousness in her eyes . She was also wearing riding leathers, with ice blue cap sleeves that mimicked Kyera"s own outfit . She had insisted on matching her mother .

After a few final goodbyes, Raina and Kyera climbed into the carriage, settling against the bench . Clovis sat across from her, knowing it was going to be a long ride and Raina would most likely want to sleep . His eyes watched his wife, knowing she would be going through a flurry of emotions .

He felt guilty, taking her back there . His father had been so cruel, trying to annul their marriage after insisting on it . There had been so much hatred and blind mistakes made . He wasn"t even sure he could mend the relationships that he had burned in those brief moments listening to the snake whispering in The Emperor"s ear .

Clovis watched as Raina laid down on her mother"s lap, her eyes closed as she settled across the seat . Kyera smiled looking down at her, gently caressing her hair, guiding it out of the child"s sleep . That tender stroking soon sent Raina to the land of dreams . The child was blissfully unaware of what was going to happen when they arrived . Neither Clovis nor Kyera had any idea what was going to happen when they actually arrived .

The adults cast each other looks, but didn"t speak . There was no reason for words between them both . Clovis leaned down and gathered his wife"s feet, settling them on his lap . He removed the boots and began ma.s.saging her feet and swollen ankles . Kyera closed her eyes and let those touches erase the tension in her body .