The Tiger Within 329 Ping's Assignmen

The shadows danced as word of the wedding was carried to the Shadow King's halls. Most were happy as could be hearing the Princess would marry soon, but the King sat behind his desk looking out at the land beyond his window pane.

It didn't show the layers of the shadow realm, that window was focused on the land of his wife. The forest a time long ago when his children were still so young, watching them play tag in the yard. His little girl was only six or seven then. So much time and pain had pa.s.sed through her heart, leaving cracks and scars that she was doomed to bare.

"Is she happy, Ping?" The Shadow King asked, hoping for a pleasant answer from the fox standing by his desk. The servant took a breath and considered his answer.

"Kyera is holding her own, Sir. She is neither happy or unhappy. She is determined in her decision." Ping replied having to be honest. The King sighed nodding.

"My daughter's heart is still wounded and has had no time to heal. I just hope his intentions are true. When she hears of this betrayal… I don't know of it is one she can handle." he whispered waving a hand at the window, focusing in on two of the Cubs laying on their back in the gra.s.s, hand in hand.

Golden eyes met blue as they shared their child like glee at the leaves they had fell into. She had been so happy then, and there was so much loving trust in her gaze. What was wrong with the world that such a pure white love could be tarnished to the deepest black?

"I think Clovis will stay at her side, sir. He seems to genuinely understand her pain. He lost his own wife years ago and knows Kyera trusts him." Ping offered trying to gently rea.s.sure his master without overstepping his boundaries. The King stood, raising a hand to caress the warm cheek of his daughter, but only felt the cold gla.s.s.

"Stay with her, both you and our resident wolf. I will take care of myself." he ordered shaking his head before walking back to his desk. Ping nodded and smiled.

"You couldn't pry the pair of us from her side. Rest a.s.sured my Lord, if anything should happen you will have eyes on the ground." Ping replied bowing to him now. The King waved his hand to shew him away.

"If I thought I could, I would not a.s.sign either of you to her safety. My daughter will be loved when she joins us here, but we don't wish that day to come so soon." The King of Shadows replied with a sigh, his eyes turning dark and filled with fire. "No matter what those people are planning. She will have a chance, my soul be d.a.m.ned."

Ping nodded, and scampered away. He left the lord brooding at his desk.

The scene in the window changed to Kyera spinning in her wedding dress. The way the lace danced and spun around her legs and arms was graceful and perfect. The soft smile on her face was shy and sweet. There was a hint of sadness in those lovely eyes, but there was a complicated joy as well.

He couldn't help but wonder if his Princess had found her Prince?