The Tiger Within 463 Shame On You, Clovis

"I can not believe what I am seeing. Your first act returning is to lay your hands on your elder brother. Shame on you, Clovis of the Dancing Winds. SHAME." Alexi's teasing voice could be heard from only feet away. He was hurrying up the path, his face bright with excitement as he greeted them. He never expected to see such a pleasant site when they first arrived. It was nice to see the family bully put on his back.

"Second Brother, I am glad to see you again." Clovis smiled, remembering how this brother had supported him before he left. There was a chance to salvage at least two relations.h.i.+ps this trip, one was his second brother, the other The Dowager Empress.

"And I you. I see Princess Kyera and little Raina is along. Is Empress Mother with you?" He asked and Clovis raised a brow. Seeing the look on Alexi's face and the subtle nod proved he had not misspoken. It warmed Clovis's heart. This brother was truly not bad.

"No, she is seeing a special doctor and then she will be along. Vella still needed help with the baby as well, so they will be traveling together." Clovis explained as Kyera stepped off the carriage and stepped up to her husband's side.

While the two men spoke Kyera leaned down, bending her knees slightly so not to put pressure on the baby, she offered Bastil a hand up. The man was still slightly confused as he took her hand and she helped him up. His eyes met hers and that confusion deepened. A memory flashed through his mind. Those deep silver eyes… he had seen them before. Long before she had appeared at the palace. No… it couldn't be… could she be? He lessened his grip so he was carefully holding her fingers. She slipped her hand from his grip.

"I am afraid my husband is a little over protective of his family in my current condition it's understandable." Kyera offered him a gentle smile. She seemed to be smoothing things over, but Clovis was watching them closely despite his conversation with Alexi.

"Condition, My Lady? Are you ill?" He asked rather curiously. If she was, it would be his advantage in this heir game. Feya was amazing to begin with, and if you add her opponents being weakened… he couldn't hide his soft happy light in his eyes.

"No, of course not. Do you think Clovis would have let his ill wife travel?" Kyera laughed with pure amus.e.m.e.nt. All three men stared at her, the only one not tense out of the four was the lady. "I am pregnant." Kyera explained proudly and Clovis fet his stomach flip, realizing she announced it as though it wasn't a secret. He never intended to tell them, not so early in the game. He looked at his wife questioning her intelligence for a long moment. However, there was a fire in her eyes that rea.s.sured him. There was so much joy, he felt refreshed. He expected his wife to be on edge, but she seemed more at home that he did.

"Oh, I see. Perhaps it's best we get you inside then. Its drafty here and the baby could be at risk." Alexi spoke first and waved the guards away. Bastil frowned.

"I am afraid the Emperor was clear about who could and couldn't enter the palace at this time." Bastil reminded his brother. Alexi raised a thin, elegant eyebrow.

"He said family only. Princess Kyera is carrying Prince Clovis's child. I am fairly sure that makes that baby family. If not, then they are my guests and may stay with me at the Flouris.h.i.+ng Forest Palace." He replied coolly. Bastil nodded uneasily, he knew there was no way to win this argument. He couldn't be too insistent or seem cruel to a mother and unborn child.

"That might be best." Bastil agreed and Kyera smiled. Something about her expression made him feel like a fool.

"I thank you both for your understanding. I've already been on the road so long and am feeling a little faint." Kyera added, nudging them slightly along. She was a master of manipulation when she wanted to be.

"Then let us go to Second Brothers." Clovis agreed taking his wife's hand and leading her back to the carriage. Kyera went without a fuss, her movements gracefully slow, but tired. Bastil suddenly felt a bit guilty, though he wasn't sure why.