The Tiger Within 498 Myra

"How dare you speak to me like that." Feya began but Lalia chuckled, looking at the frustration on Feya's face. Her outrage was ridiculously overblown, and even Melania flinched at her tone. She never quite understand why Feya felt so much more important than the others in the family.  Even as first princess, she should realize she is not the crown princess, that t.i.tle belonged to a woman who had been laid to rest many years ago. There was a twinge of sadness at the memory of that pretty young woman.

"Feya, we are not in our own land and are being granted asylum. It is, perhaps, best we are respectful to our hosts and their customs. Kyera did take the place out there in your stead, because you did not think yourself up to balancing the cold. Now, shall we behave as princesses now?" Melania asked her own annoyance masked in a overly sweet tone. Lalia nodded and watched out the window as they approached the royal palace.

The Snow Drop palace was a tall pale grey stone building with a towering tree serving as its backdrop. The leaves glistened with gold and greens while the flowers glowed pure white in the canopy. The tall stone palace of towers and roof peaks stood out. Guards patrolled on the tops of the walls, beautiful dragons perched occasionally as they basked in the winter suns. It was clear even from this distance that the keep courtyard was alive and bustling with people. Kyera and the crimson dragon looked at home next to the Black elder; steam curling it's way up from their footprints.

"That is a beautiful site…" Melania smiled as she watched the window. The snow caught the light, reminding her of the beauty of the waterfall under the sunlight. "And Kyera seems as though she belongs."

"That's because a Princess always looks most at home in her element." The Carriage driver replied as he ficked the reins to urge the horses into the main center. By the time the three girls dismounted the carriage with a tall and slender young man helping them down. The boy smiled in a devilish, steal-your-heart sort of way.

"Welcome, Princess Kyera." Sansor greeted as he took Kyera's hand and helped her down from the dragon's back. "We missed you cousin." He smiled and gave her a bear hug, with enough strength to crack her back.

"Sans, gentle, though your cousin is not made of gla.s.s her baby will not appreciate being squished." Bryson warned him and Sansor set her down and stepped back several feet, his eyes wide and worried.

"I'm, sorry Kyera.. I didn't know. Grandmother is going to kill me." He sighed shaking his head and rantign for a few moments under his breath. As he did so a woman ran down the stairs and seized Kyera in a gentle hug. She couldn't help but smile as they kissed each others cheeks.

"Myra… h.e.l.lo Cousin." Kyera hugged her back and chuckled as they kissed cheeks. "How are you feeling darling?"

"I am great, we were getting ready to head to forest Gate, Grandest Mother is in the study finis.h.i.+ng up a few things before she makes the trip… Why are you here? Who are your friends?" Myra asked as she turned to look at the three girls waiting nearby.