The Tiger Within 280 Tortured Answers

Kyera froze, her mind caught in a whirlwind of emotions. She never dreamed he would say these words to her. To be honest she had never realized how badly she wanted to hear them till they fell from his lips. Months of time together as Moon and as Kyera had brought them to this incredible place. There was something special there now, a bond she wanted to acknowledge.

She looked up at him, his eyes filled with anxiety. He needed her answer now, quickly. The time only increased the pressure and thickness in the air. Clovis reminded himself not to push her. He needed to respect her right to time. Three days of it if need be. Her lost golden pools hinted perhaps she would need that time.

"Kyera?" he asked gently seeing the tears in her eyes. She wiped her eyes chuckling at herself.

Every fiber of her being wanted to say yes. He could be trusted, she knew he would accept the tiger within her.  Her heart and spirit a.s.sured her of that. However there was still her loyalty to her people. They would need her. She had to go home should that option ever become open to her again. She couldn't rip a mother away from Raina twice.

"Clovis, nothing would make me happier than to say yes to you, but… I…" she stopped seeing something she hadn't expected in his eyes. There was no shock or denial. There was no anger as she prepared to turn him down. It was as though he expected it. That understanding gentless changed her words as they left her lips. "Give me one night. Let me settle some things. I will answer you within the next week." Kyera replied carefully.

"I understand, My Lady. This is a huge decision. The crown allows for three days from the hour of proposal." he offers and Kyera bit her lip looking at the sky toward the west. The shadows of warning still glowed and yet she was certain she could get a answer by then.

"Three days and I will have a answer but I need your permission to leave the palace unenc.u.mbered." Kyera replied speaking clearly. She needed the mark to be satisfied. The contract would never allow her to do what she needed to do unless she had permission.

"Kyera, you may do whatever you need to in order to find your answer. I pray it leads you back to my side." Clovis admitted as his hand reached out, careful fingers brus.h.i.+ng through her silver strands in the moonlight. They s.h.i.+mmered between his fingers. She smiled softly, he had given her what she needed, but could she do the same for him?

Kyera took two steps forward leaning in to press her lips gently to his. It wasn't the touch of lips to forehead. It was the tender electricity of nerves caressing nerves. His arm wrapped around her back, pulling her close to his chest as he allowed her to control the kiss. It continued for long moments, neither of them aware of anything but that light pressure between them. It was filled with yearning and promises each had every intention of keeping.  The pair separated from one another slowly. Neither certain of what the other was thinking.

Little did they know, both their minds  were filled with the same subject. They were both thinking of eachother. Her mind filled with his taste, his touch, and his understanding eyes. His mind filled with the soft kiss and the feel of her hair in his hand, the way the light played off her features.

"Three days." he whispered, reminding her gently thought to himself he added or eternity if it meant a guaranteed yes. He needed her by his side.

"Three days or less. Either way, I will be here at your side either as teacher, friend, or bride." Kyera a.s.sured him as she broke the final bit of contact, pulling away from him. She knew if she didn't he would get his answer tonight even if it meant turning on all she cared about.

"Be safe, and rest well, My Lady Kyera." Clovis bid her goodnight and Kyera bowed to him. Then she turned and slipped out of the room just as elegantly as she entered.  Leaving him surrounded in a snow blanketed wonderland.