The Tiger Within 30 The Empress Awakens Part 4

"Evelyn. Don't call me Eve again." She corrected him mercilessly. Tears in her eyes gatherers and threatened to fall. Surprise met his face as he heard her brush away the affectionate nickname they had shared since they were young. "And if I say no?" She asked meeting his eyes with a icy gaze. He felt the torrent of cold disappointment wash over him, leaving him momentarily confused. When he finally gained his senses again he glared at her.

"Then you will move to the cold palace until you take your punishment. I will not tolerate My Empress attacking my Queens." He replied, his voice and stance protective as he wrapped one arm around Queen Fae and the other resting tenderly on Queen Kira's waist. The site sent a jold of pain through Evelyn's chest. Fine, She knew it would be this way, but it didn't mean she had to take it quietly.

"As you wish, Emperor. You have opened my eyes this day. I will die in the cold palace before I allow this injustice to pa.s.s. I will protect myown." Empress Evelyn replied, her voice soft and gentle even as she made such a harsh declaration. His eyes widened as he stared at the beautiful woman that wa his chosen wife. So long had pa.s.sed since he saw her this emotional. If it was any other emotion, perhaps he could enjoy seeing this pa.s.sion in her eyes. However, the violence and the anger she had just released was striking compared to her docile nature. What ever had gotten into her, he could not just let it pa.s.s.

The broken hearted look in her eyes send pangs of guilt to his heart. He had spoken out of anger at her defiance. Everything about her personality of late said she would yield to him… and yet she had not. Nor did she try to reason with him as she had in the past. Both were equally troubling to his heart. "Eve…" He let go of the girls and took a step toward her.

His arm wrapped around her waist, drawing her close to him. His lips met hers, tenderly caressing her warm soft skin. To his surprise, those lips that always yielded to him, stayed still as stone. She didn't respond to his kiss, or his caress. Even as he rubbed his cheek against hers bringing his lips to her ear. "Please reconsider, forget the slaps. Just apologize." He asked softly. Something deep within him warned if she walked away now, he would lose something precious to him.

"I will not. You have made your decision. Try not to regret it." Empress Evelyn replied, pulling away from his arms. With a final look of farewell, Evelyn turned and glided off toward the cold Palace. The Leopard followed her, her eyes accusingly meeting the Emperor's as it followed the Empress down the path. Mally smiled.

"It seems Tears has chosen her Mistress." Mally said with a grim smile. The Emperor sighed.

"Perhaps I should reconsider." He whispered as his Queens went to play with the children, triumphant over the Empress but trying their best not to show it.

"Your Majesty, all due respect, you may not give you that chance." Mally knew the Empress well. She had been like a daughter to her for so long that the hard sh.e.l.l Evelyn showed to all others was unnecessary. Therefore Mally knew once her Lady's heart was broken, she held it together with a thick wall. The blind man in front of her would never be able to open the door. With a pitying glance, Mally walked back into the gardens.

"What did she mean?" He whispered to the wind, eyes concerned as he watched the cold palace path.