The Tiger Within 310 Don't Let Go

The carriage rocked along the road as the horses pulled its cargo toward the Palace. Kyera was quiet as she watched the woods pa.s.s by the window. It being open relieved some of her tension at being in a box on wheels. The horses on either side were manned by Oslo and Lazren. Race had taken a place on top of the carriage, his bow in hand to protect if need be.

"You know, I am not so cold and unfeeling… I do care about the Dark ones." Kyera whispered almost monotone. A hint of helplessness couldn't be contained from her voice. "They have forced my hand."

"I know, Kyera. You are doing what you must and I will support you. For now we must get your hand better and the marriage finalized so those things are off your plate." Clovis replied gently, honestly feeling guilty for adding so much to her already full plate. Had he known all of this was going on he would have seen it resolved before asking her to marry him. Even if circ.u.mstances forced her to agree, he made it his mission to see that she didn't regret it.

"Clovis, are you alright?" Kyera asked, shocking him with her gentle concern. She didn't look at him, her eyes focused on the shadows. She was still a bit cooler in the eyes, weight of the world on her shoulders and its problems in her heart.

"Yes, for the most part, why do you ask?" Clovis replied carefully. In all honesty he felt like he was a wreck. Everything he was learning was trying to force its way into his head at the same time as he puzzled through it all.  However he had no intention of showing just how jumbled and confused he really was.

"Clovis, let me put this in perspective. You were surrounded by people who seemed to want your blood. Treated like a villain, and scolded for things that were out of your control. On Top of that you were immersed in a environmental mob that has a culture that you know nothing about. Well other than bedtime stories made to keep your children frightened of us. After finding that out and learning about a brutal ma.s.sacre that happened within a two day ride of your castle you were shot at by an arrow that would have taken your life if i hadn't stopped it." Kyera pointed out rather than calling his bluff. The way her eyes moved to meet his telling him she already knew. Not only that, she understood. He sighed with relief.

"I suppose if you put it like that I don't sound so childish saying I'm freaking exhausted and lost." he replied offering her a gentle smile. Kyera nodded and swapped herself to his side of the carriage. He waited, curious to see what she intended to do.

"One of those I can provide a answer for, as to lost… well, just don't let go of me. I will help you sort it out." she replied gently before moving. Kyera put her back to the window,  letting herself rest against the padding. She reached out and turned him, pulling him down to rest against her. His back supported by her stomach and chest. He looked up at her, his eyes questioning.

"Put your feet on the seat, lean back and let your head rest on my chest. You should find this position comfortable enough to sleep for a while." Kyera suggested gently. This was a position she had slept in many times before but normally a pillow was behind her back, or a well smoothed bolder. Her chest would just have to do for now.

It took Clovis a few minutes to settle in, and relax his now throbbing heartbeat. They had been close before, but she had never instigated it. She was taking care of him and for some reason it felt… odd. It was wonderful but he couldn't help but wonder if he had ever been cared for like this by a woman other than his mother. Kyera smiled and played with his hair, which subsequently rendered him unable to think.  Within a few moments he was fast asleep.