The Tiger Within Chapter 64

"Well, anyone want to tell me where my daughter is?" Clovis asked with a dangerously friendly smile . His father coughed, a bit surprised to feel the amount of intimidation flooding off his son's aura . A guard he recognized as Avis stepped forward and bowed to him .

"Princess Raina is still missing . We have searched the grounds and the house . We found a fairy who apparently has seen her but…" he trailed off as the fire in Clovis' eyes darkened and the air around him seemed to crackle with energy . The guard shrunk back .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Are you telling me, my daughter has been missing long enough for you to organize and run a full palace sweep and I am JUST NOW hearing about it! When did she go missing?" he demanded his voice at a low growl as his eyes turned on his father .

"Princess Raina went missing at breakfast, Fourth Prince . " little Nathaniel offered, he and his brother having refused to leave till Raina was found . The prince looked at the boys and nodded, forcing himself to act with restraint toward the young ones . It wasn't their fault the adults were engaged in this absurd feud .

"Are you telling me that for the second time this week my daughter has gone missing under the care of our First Queen?" Clovis asked . He suddenly became extremely calm and… began to laugh . It was a cold laugh, void of any humor . A laugh of disbelief and disappointment .

"It wasn't First Queen Kira's fault! That child wandered off . She is ill behaved and disobedient!" Kira's handmaid accused angrily . She couldn't believe they would push these accusations on her mistress . However, being a maid she never truly expected those steel grey eyes filled with murderous intent to turn on her . In that moment, there was no one to protect her from the force of bis wrath . Electricity sparking across her skin angrily .

"Oh? Do tell me which part of that is a surprise? The princess is four years old . Children wander off . They disobey . Your job as the adult is to correct it and teach her better . Using the fact that she didn't stay where she was put is pitiful excuse to neglect one's duty . " the words were spat from his mouth as he glared at the maid . There was nothing she could say in response, because his eyes trapped any reb.u.t.tal in her throat . If looks could kill he had no doubt she would be without a heart or soul at the moment .

"Clovis be reasonable . The Queen has so many children to watch after . How can she be blamed for this? It was a accident . " Queen Fae tried to soothe him . Once, long ago she had a good relations.h.i.+p with Clovis . He had been close to her eldest son, and the pair had been perfect brothers . However, that relations.h.i.+p was long since destroyed between Clovis and Fae though he was still close to his elder brother .

"Then explain to me why both times she has made a mistake it has been my daughter who pays the price? If she isn't up to the task she should give it up so someone competent can be put in her place . " Clovis replied his voice now cool and calm yet it seemed even more powerful than if he was yelling at her . The Emperor nodded slowly .

"Clovis, let us worry about locating Raina first . The first Queen will be punished accordingly I a.s.sure you . " The Emperor replied, knowing the focus had to be changed or blood would be spilt . There was no where for this conversation to go and end well . Queen Kira wanted to object, she had done nothing wrong, but she thought better of it .

"Your right . So what does the fairy know?" Clovis asked turning on the tiny trembling creature that was the last to see his daughter that morning . The fairy curled into a ball in its tiny iron cage . Her magic did not work within and the iron snapped her strength .

"Nothing yet . " The Emperor replied shaking his head . "the creature may as well be dead . "

Clovis shook his head and took the Iron cage . The little sprite looked up at him, tears in her pale blue eyes . Purple wisps of hair floating around her face as the color drained from her skin . He opened the cage door and she fluttered her wings to try and escape but only lifted a little into the air . She couldn't even muster the power to escape the iron cage . While the others watched him, he took her from the cage, setting the lotus fairy on his palm .