The Tiger Within 446 Difficult Questions

Kyera read the letter twice, once in the true forrest tongue then translated so she could search for nuances in the writing. Everything matched Mally, and no one else knew of their fall out. The letter was authentic, judging by the hidden message and speech pattern. Her heart wrenched for the Empress dowager having to become Empress again. Kyera didn't notice as he approached her, his arms wrapping around her waist, gently resting his palms above and below her little cub. She didn't even flinch, knowing instantly who that tender touch came from. She looked back at him and smiled gently, lowering the letter.

His eyebrows were softly furrowed as he noticed the odd script on the page. He couldn't even begin to decipher what it meant. His eyes set the question, and she seemed to understand. Kyera sighed and he kissed her forehead.

"Mally has written. Your grandmother wouldn't tolerate your father changing Empresses. She is now the lady Empress until the heir games are complete. Apparently they broke a Phoenix Law." Kyera offered hoping he could make better sense of this than she had. His eyes darkened and a sense of darkness began to seep from him. Bloodl.u.s.t, clear as day that Kyera's own aura deflected from her body so not to affect the baby in her womb.

"That woman has broken Phoenix Law since I was young. It doesn't surprise me that the Empress Dowager didn't tolerate her becoming mother of the nation. However, Grandmother will need some sort of support." His expression was complicated and torn. It was obvious where his concerns radiated from as his hand pa.s.sed over her stomach, gently caressing the child within as the bloodl.u.s.t disappeared. His warm loving aura soothed away the pressure of his anger and resentment, replaced by his love and concern for his family.

"We should go back. I can protect myself, the baby, and Raina. You can a.s.sist the Empress. My guard will back me an the children and Alexi and my forest family hidden in the palace guard. There will be nothing to worry about." Kyera reminded him of just how strong her backing was. He smiled softly with a chuckle.

"You are a brilliant woman, my little wife." He praised kissing her cheek lovingly. Kyera chuckled softly and looked back at him.

"Thank you, love but it's mainly the fact that my people have my back." Kyera replied, the feeling of warmth and security embracing her. Clovis frowned.

"Will they accept the cub?" He asked rubbing the baby gently. Kyera raised a brow looking back at him curiously.

"Why wouldn't they accept my baby sibling?" Little Raina asked, standing by the door in her pajamas. She looked confused, her hair wet and falling around her shoulders, the night gown light and flowy around her little form.  Kyera walked forward and chuckled at her daughter.

"Your Daddy thinks that Mommy's people will be upset that I'm having your Daddy's baby." Kyera explained gently, running her fingers through Raina's hair. It was a little knotted, so she took the child to the corner vanity and had her sit down. Clovis was a little nervous, not sure how to explain racism to his daughter. Kyera seemed ready for this though.

"Oh, why?" Raina asked as she sat down. Kyera took the brush and began brus.h.i.+ng the child's hair.

"Because Daddys grandfather didn't like my kind much. You know how I turn into a tiger, and your teacher turns into a wolf?" Kyera asked wondering if they had ever talked about this openly before. She quickly realized they had not.

"Yes." Raina affirmed still waiting as Kyera began braiding the long strands.

"Well there are alot of… well a group of us like that out there. We are called s.h.i.+fters. Me, Darius, and Lazren being the main ones you have been aware of that you have met. There was also Lady Mally, and Your Grandmother's Tigress." Kyera explained patiently. Raina seemed to consider and process this new information.

"Are the s.h.i.+fters are not good…" Raina offered seeming a touch worked up. The child was warring with years of teaching as well as the things Kyera had said in the past. Kyera sighed.