The Tiger Within 451 Troubled Arrows Part 2

The boy standing before her wasn't a little boy anymore. His long orange hair had seeped to a red, and was shorter now, held tightly to the nape of his neck. Those blue eyes that were once filled with childlike charm were darker, and filled with the river of emotion that battle left behind. His body was toned as a warrior, and yet her mind recalled the memory of those reports so long ago. This nightmare had began when she had chosen to save his life, rather than her own.

The nightmare she and so many had suffered, and yet she wouldn't change a thing. So many things had been touched by that split second decision. There was no regret for what she had done, his life had likely been spared by her actions, and yet that didn't reduce the guilt she felt to her very heart. The burdens and pain in those eyes should have been hers. Nothing could change that.

"Talis, among our people I am the daughter of the White Princess. Here I am the adopted Lady of Shadow Veil. In the Frost lands I am the daughter of the Shadow King. I bare all these names and each has its own responsibilities that shape my every action." Kyera began to explain, she lowered the bow, her grip on it tightening so her knuckles turned white. "I didn't choose any of these names. Most of them were given to me at birth, along with the powers they held. I did choose my husband, and I chose to rescue you that day for the same reason, to protect my people. I carry his child, because it is my duty as his wife. Do not get me wrong, I do not regret any of these things. However, these choices were premade for me, I could not have made the wrong decision without betraying someone who relied on me. Betrayal is the one thing I can not do, and that has saved me." She added breathing deeply to steady her nerves.

Her words were heavy, and he tilted his head slightly in response. His own mind was puzzling through what she was saying, trying to figure out where this train of thought was going. He had no idea.

"Talis I want to prove I am worthy. I am revered for my Talents, given to me by either G.o.d or birth. My choices, which most of which were made for me. I want to prove I am Worthy… Not because I was born with power, or because I was being true to my responsibility. I want to be worthy because of me." Kyera explained her heart and soul being poured into her words.Her free hand came to rest on her tummy, caressing the child within.

"Worthy of what, Kyear? Their approval? Their opinions do not matter. He loves you. Isn't that all that matters?" Talis pointed out, he was trying to sooth her. However, instead of the calming effect he had hoped for she laughed, it was almost a barking sound.

"Talis, I couldn't give a d.a.m.n what they think. I am pregnant. There is a little life inside me. This child will rely on my protection, my judge in character, and my decisions to survive. The baby will trust me as its mother, as the one who it should be able to fall back on at any time of need. Am I worthy of such trust? Can I live up to that need?" Kyera asked as she turned to face him. There were tear trails on her cheeks, her emotions even more riled up with the changes the baby was making to her body. The mask wasn't available right now, this was her, raw in ways he had never seen before.