The Tiger Within 149 Going To Town Part 2

"The Emperor gets overly protective of new talent. You saved the Empress so he feels you are invaluable right now. He will calm a bit when she is back to.." He paused for a moment, remembering her prediction. "Well more of finds her new normal." he amended.

Kyera sighed and nodded, she didn't regret healing the Empress. It was gratifying and beautiful to see her reunited with her grand daughter and the love between their family. A love she had not experienced in a long time. Helping preserve it for a little longer was worth the restrictions.

"It's only a matter of building her strength now. Any healer worth their salt can manage that." Kyera pointed out, though she knew that wasn't exactly true. Not till she figured out what was stopping her from absorbing the energy poured into her.

"True, but he trusted the healers of the palace with her cure. They failed. You, whom he doubted saved her. He trusts you now, I trust you." Clovis reasoned as he lead the way into the stables, he gathered his horse from his stall. The horse shuffled his hooves a bit nervously and Clovis' eyebrows creased. "Easy boy. Easy." he whispered leading the horse out. Kyera smiled and purred softly to ease the horse.

"Thank you for your confidence, but I am not permanent. I will leave one day to continue my studies." Kyera reminded him and Clovis raised a brow.

"You don't intend on marrying and settling down?" he asked curiously. In his mind, the forest was hardly a place to raise a family. Kyera smiled.

"It is my dream honestly. To have a family I mean." She replied quietly, but didn't elaborate. The sad sound of her voice made it sound impossible. His heart ached for her.

"Why does it seem like you don't believe it will come to be?" he asked, as he finished saddling his horse. Kyera sighed.

"Though our relationship has endured years, I am not sure we will ever get the chance." Kyera replied shaking her head. Her own chest ached as though her heart would split in two. Saying the words was painful, but the hope still remained. She could be wrong. He raised an eyebrow.

"Years and he has never asked for your hand?" he asked, forgetting to be polite. Kyera nodded.

"nearly 8 years now." She replied and he blinked at her in amazement. Her words didn't register at first. She was only in her 20s. It was remarkable to go 4 without a promise being made.

"8 years… what has stopped you?" he asked suddenly intrigued. There was a look in her eyes, a fondness that he yearned for. The sadness was something he felt they both shared. Not quite a broken heart… but an emptiness in their souls.

"We were ripped apart nearly 2 months ago now." she replied sighing as she mounted the horse she had been provided. He raised an eyebrow.

"Not to be rude, but are you sure that is the only reason? Yes the last two months have been because of this...what about the last 4 years?" he asked as they began down the trail.

"I think he was waiting on me." Kyera replied a bit defensively but even to her own ears it sounded feeble. He let it drop. Even as Prince he had no right to her personal affairs and just cast her a sidelong glance.

Kyera thought about it as they rode. Silence fell between them as she tried to explain away his words. Her heart was uneasy as she swayed in the saddle.