The Tiger Within 211 The Duckling

He just smiled at her, the pair falling silent as they listened to the sounds of the night. Clovis enjoyed the silent companions.h.i.+p, not feeling alone here was a change. A pleasant change for that matter. However, the guests at dinner still had things to discuss so he turned his attention from the water to her. He rose to his feet but she didn't look up at him.

She seemed to be watching something intently, a small glimmer of amus.e.m.e.nt in her eyes. He followed her gaze to see a small, beautiful duckling. It was currently trying to climb onto a lily pad. However that little green floating leaf couldn't hold its weight. Yet the little duckling tried again. Over and over before finally it bit the pad and shook, but instead of ripping apart the Duck's beak slipped off. After losing its grip the duckling looked at it as if asking 'how dare you not tear apart. Then the duckling swam away, beak in the air.

Kyera chuckled the little duckling's silly antics lifting the gloom a bit. Clovis smiled at her warmly, though she hardly noticed. It was nice for him to hear her laugh, not restrained and controlled but true amus.e.m.e.nt. "I will meet with you in the morning, shortly after morning tea. We will go get you a dress." he insisted and Kyera hesitated. For half a second he thought she would deny it.

"Alright. I will see you in the morning then." Kyera agreed standing to her feet as well.

"Good. Try and rest." he urged her before turning to walk toward the palace. She sighed and walked toward the garden gate. "Oh and Lady Kyera," he called out over her shoulder.

Kyera stilled and turned back to look at him. Her breathtaking features illuminated by the moon glow on her skin and snow white hair. The horizon and the deep cool trees a contrasting backdrop behind her. She looked like a lonely warrior maid whose mournful of the loss of her brethren. His own heart skipped a beat for a moment.

"Please don't fret. I respect you." he added before turning and walking back inside. Kyera stood motionless, her mind insisting on doing exactly what he told her not to as she began finding her way through the forest. It was just too much.

Not for the first time, Kyera wished she could wake up, back in her bed surrounded by blankets that were familiar to her. The scent of her meal cooking on a fire overnight. Sparing first thing in the morning, either planned or surprise attack. Her mind fluttered to the last kiss she and Verone shared that morning, and once again her heart broke. How could those beautiful understanding eyes be closed forever, never to show their mischievous gleam again?

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Deep within the Forest

Deep blue eyes opened, and refocused. A sultry smile met his eyes as the moment sent sensations through the fabric of fate.

Trouble stirred. The wild ones were on the prowl, whispers of unrest and danger from the banished lands. Without cunning of Kyera the Forest was unstable. Without the strength of Verone there was nothing to hold the tide back. Talis tried but too few had faith in him.

The wild ones could sense it coming. Trouble. Soon it would come. In truth, not a single living creature wished to be in its path. Elder s.h.i.+fters watched the creatures. No one could read them, other than to know it was instinct deep in their bones causing them to s.h.i.+ft.

Power was changing tide. Werol looked to the sky. A frown creased his lips as Daxin walked into the room.

"Kyera is alive and doing… as well as we can expect." Daxin reported and there was some relief in the old Owl's face.

"Unfortunately we could say the last for the forest as well." the words sent a chill down Daxin's spine.