The Tiger Within 207 An Interesting Dinner Part 4

"I didn't know you had such a education." the Empress commented, rather impressed by this healer. She had thought the girl was just a natural with healing and perhaps some decent herb knowledge. It never occurred to her that Kyera had a full education. Mordrin hid his displeasure at their surprise. He knew better than anyone how well Kyera was educated.

"Ky is well read and very diplomatic. Half Eye tends to his disciples well and prepares them to handle different Kingdoms." Mordrin replied waving a hand. "Hence why she knows so much about politics. Even a healer must know whats going on in a country if they wish to work in it." Vella's eyes suddenly grew brighter and slightly narrowed as her eyes examined her husband's face. He was glowing with his praises of the girl.

"Rin, you shouldn't speak so highly of me." Kyera replied chuckling a bit. He raised a brow.

"What is it a secret? You are doing a shoddy job of hiding it." Mordrin countered, laughing heartily. His arm still lightly draped around his wife's shoulders. Most the table was confused, other than Viren who had expected this. Granted he wondered how such a smart general and tactical expert could make such a blunder.

"It seems as though you two know each other?" Clovis asked, the question was innocent enough, but Kyera could have sworn there was a under current to those words. Then she saw the cold look in Vella's eyes and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Rin, I think they are getting the wrong Idea." Kyera pointed out, expecting him to explain. He turned to his wife, realizing what she was thinking he frowned.

"Vella, when we first married I told you the forest folk were welcome in my kingdom freely and their toll was paid by a healer. She is the healer that saved my life when I was a very young man." Mordrin explained and Kyera smiled.

"I saved him back then. We became friends and lost touch just before the pair of you married." Kyera continued the explanation with a shrug. Vella looked back at Mordrin desperate to believe him over her uncertain heart.

"Trust me, there is no way Ky had anything for me either. She was too wrapped up in her sweetheart, Verone. Half the time I don't think she even noticed I was a man." Mordrin teased Kyera before grinning at his adorable wife. She was cute jealous, but he didn't like how it made her feel. No matter how adorable that little pout was.

He did however notice the temperature in the room drop several degrees. Clovis had been watching Kyera and saw the pain in her eyes. She tried to mask it quickly but… it was still in those golden depths. He reached a hand out and gently covered hers under the table. Kyera looked at him for a moment, grateful but also surprised. Only the Empress could see the touch beneath the table.

"Mordrin, I… I don't know how to tell you this. Verone… he was killed by the betrayer." Kyera spoke calmly as she could..her voice only broke a bit. Mordrin's eyes darkened in anger.

"That beast just won't leave you be." he growled in annoyance. Vella looked concerned, she could sense his anger but he tempered it instantly. His hand gently caressing her tummy and their child.

"Who is the betrayer?" Prince Viren asked looking between the pair. He obviously only asked the question the others wished to know. Kyera sighed, pushing the rice around her plate a bit.

"We don't know. He was a man from my village who did some terrible things. The lives of many of our people, their blood is on his hands." Kyera replied shaking her head. "Anyway. This is not what we are here to discuss."

"He said will not leave you alone." The Empress pointed out, raising an eyebrow. Eve had a bad feeling deep down. Betrayal was something she had some experience with… and to deserve that as a t.i.tle…