The Tiger Within

"I didn"t know you had such a education . " the Empress commented, rather impressed by this healer . She had thought the girl was just a natural with healing and perhaps some decent herb knowledge . It never occurred to her that Kyera had a full education . Mordrin hid his displeasure at their surprise . He knew better than anyone how well Kyera was educated .

"Ky is well read and very diplomatic . Half Eye tends to his disciples well and prepares them to handle different Kingdoms . " Mordrin replied waving a hand . "Hence why she knows so much about politics . Even a healer must know whats going on in a country if they wish to work in it . " Vella"s eyes suddenly grew brighter and slightly narrowed as her eyes examined her husband"s face . He was glowing with his praises of the girl .

"Rin, you shouldn"t speak so highly of me . " Kyera replied chuckling a bit . He raised a brow .
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"What is it a secret? You are doing a shoddy job of hiding it . " Mordrin countered, laughing heartily . His arm still lightly draped around his wife"s shoulders . Most the table was confused, other than Viren who had expected this . Granted he wondered how such a smart general and tactical expert could make such a blunder .

"It seems as though you two know each other?" Clovis asked, the question was innocent enough, but Kyera could have sworn there was a under current to those words . Then she saw the cold look in Vella"s eyes and couldn"t help but chuckle .

"Rin, I think they are getting the wrong Idea . " Kyera pointed out, expecting him to explain . He turned to his wife, realizing what she was thinking he frowned .

"Vella, when we first married I told you the forest folk were welcome in my kingdom freely and their toll was paid by a healer . She is the healer that saved my life when I was a very young man . " Mordrin explained and Kyera smiled .

"I saved him back then . We became friends and lost touch just before the pair of you married . " Kyera continued the explanation with a shrug . Vella looked back at Mordrin desperate to believe him over her uncertain heart .

"Trust me, there is no way Ky had anything for me either . She was too wrapped up in her sweetheart, Verone . Half the time I don"t think she even noticed I was a man . " Mordrin teased Kyera before grinning at his adorable wife . She was cute jealous, but he didn"t like how it made her feel . No matter how adorable that little pout was .

He did however notice the temperature in the room drop several degrees . Clovis had been watching Kyera and saw the pain in her eyes . She tried to mask it quickly but… it was still in those golden depths . He reached a hand out and gently covered hers under the table . Kyera looked at him for a moment, grateful but also surprised . Only the Empress could see the touch beneath the table .

"Mordrin, I… I don"t know how to tell you this . Verone… he was killed by the betrayer . " Kyera spoke calmly as she could . . her voice only broke a bit . Mordrin"s eyes darkened in anger .

"That beast just won"t leave you be . " he growled in annoyance . Vella looked concerned, she could sense his anger but he tempered it instantly . His hand gently caressing her tummy and their child .

"Who is the betrayer?" Prince Viren asked looking between the pair . He obviously only asked the question the others wished to know . Kyera sighed, pushing the rice around her plate a bit .

"We don"t know . He was a man from my village who did some terrible things . The lives of many of our people, their blood is on his hands . " Kyera replied shaking her head . "Anyway . This is not what we are here to discuss . "

"He said will not leave you alone . " The Empress pointed out, raising an eyebrow . Eve had a bad feeling deep down . Betrayal was something she had some experience with… and to deserve that as a t.i.tle…