The Tiger Within

"Lay a claw on her Reever and I won"t care that your my brother . " Bryson growled seeing through the words said . The Matriarch watched quietly, knowing there was little she could do, feeling rather helpless . She had always known her family was divided . There was a certain understanding that had smoothed over, a tense truce . However, now that the family was back together and Kyera was here, it seemed these old wounds would open yet again . Bryson had let it all go, he had let it lie dormant for so long . The truth could only be hidden for so long .

It had been evident ever since Fantasy had been brought into the family . So few knew the truth of what happened back then, Fantasy"s secret had been well kept by Matriarch and yet her family divided the day Fantasy left, baby Akira innocent in her womb . Now, two generations later, it threatened to be revealed .
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The Matriarch Mother was lost in her memories as the children argued mercilessly with one another . That night, those words, the truth… how could she ever face it? Was it time perhaps for it all to come out? These were questions she could not answer for certain . If she was to die, it would be best they know… but… would she have to be the one to tell her .

Her mind was drawn back to years ago, when she had still been young, the flower in her chest a small sees . It had yet to bloom out of the skin and all of her sons and daughters had been alive and well . Late at night, it had been spring . The scents of the father tree had been strong in the cool air, even late at night it would give off that soft warmth that she could feel in the seedling in her chest .

Fantasy had come to her room that night to brush her hair . Ever since Fantasy married her son, she would come to the Matriarch chambers and brush her mother in law"s hair for a while, just before bed . It was something she insisted on doing, and since Crystalsa enjoyed it so much, she hardly disagree . Crystalsa remembered how the young woman had fawned over her hair, loved the silken texture and soft color . It had been so quiet, a sadness in the air that she had never felt before that night or after . She had been so beautiful, even in her sadness . Fantasy had such bright golden eyes that had pa.s.sed down through the generations, even Kyera"s bright golden pools came from Fantasy .

"What is wrong, Fantasy?" Crystalsa asked, her voice soft and gentle considering the heaviness to the air . It had taken several tries to get Fantasy"s attention as she brushed through Crystalsa"s hair in the same strand for several moments longer than nessisary . The tangles were worked out, but there was a certain lostnes in her eyes . The mirror of the vanity showed Crystalsa what was going on behind her . "Fantasy, darling that section is becoming tender . "

"Oh? I am sorry, Matriarch, I was distracted . " Fantasy"s voice had been quiet by nature and the soft smile she offered in the mirror was brilliantly beautiful in a simple way . Yet, there was something missing from it, the warmth was missing from her eyes . There was no joy on her face simply the tension of a forced smile . She released the section of hair and began gently seperating yet another section from the silken waves .

"I can tell . Is it about that maid woman? The one that is Pregnant? She may be his wife now, but you are still my daughter in law . I do not recognize her or her child as my heirs . My son is ridiculous in replacing you with her . You are a good woman, Fantasy, worth the loyalty you provide . " Crystalsa asked, fairly sure she knew what was bothering her . Even now, the matriarch hated herself for allowing Lilith to marry her son and force the divorce that made Fantasy feel worthless .

"Yes, Mother . I… I need your help . Please, I am begging you . " Fantasy whispered, tears in her voice as she tried to control all those emotions . Crystalsa had wanted to hug her so badly, to hold Fantasy while she let those tears out, but her position as Fantasy"s Mother in law stopped her back then .