The Tiger Within 341 Opposite Kisses

"Well Played Princess. This time you win, but since you seem to hold delusions of being intimate with me let me leave you with a wedding gift." his lips crashed against hers painfully hard. His hand yanked back on her hair, ruining what was left of the caredul updo. She tried to push him back but in one on one strength she was no match. He broke the kiss biting her neck hard, leaving a mark on her, breaking the delicate skin there before giving her a wicked, b.l.o.o.d.y grin. Her blood.

Kyera slapped him before he could dash away from her.  Moments later she was alone, standing in the same spot, tears cascading down her cheeks. Turmoil drowning her soul.

Near the tree, pushing through the underbrush, Clovis stared at her. He had seen the naked man kiss his bride, but not her struggle. The blood from the bite visible from here. Beside him Talis growled as the man ran away. He could smell Kyera's pain from so far away ot was heartbreaking.

"You take care of your wife, I will get the princess." Talis whispered making his way to the tree. Clovis walked toward her.

The tiger that had ran after Princess Raina… Talis had been shocked to see. He had said that name… he had said Verone so they had followed them. Granted fighting their way through had been hard. So many mens blood dripped from his blade. However, all he was concerned with was the delicate woman in front of him that normally, was so d.a.m.n strong.

However, somehow she seemed small right now, as if all the air in her had been drained out. Her dress was b.l.o.o.d.y and slashed, thankfully the leather kept its shape, and kept her dignity safe, not that she cared right now. He very much doubted she cared about anything at the moment. He cared, but only because he didn't want her to feel ashamed when he found her like this. Tear trails on her face, her hair a mess, and her lost expression was going to be bad enough. She was so vulnerable right now but he felt he was the one stripped bare. There was no armor against a woman's rejection. Nothing to stop that cold blade from penetrating his heart, his mind, his everything. So the question he feared most remained.

Would she accept him? Was there still a them since there was a him again? If she asked he would let her go without hesitation. Clovis never wanted to trap her, but he didn't want to let her go. He wanted her. Somewhere in this mess of convenience and necessity had been born feelings he was still struggling to explain to himself. All he knew was he wasn't sure what to say to her. What could he say besides is there still an Us? He knew it wasn't the time but wasn't sure his mouth would obey any other order.

Luckily he didn't have to find out for sure. She looked up, those eyes filled with deep sorrow and seeking him. He opened his arms slightly, a gentle offer that he didn't expect her to take. He prayed she would.  Kyera ran forward, throwing her arms around his neck crying against the strong form that caught her. Clovis wrapped her in his arms, not worried about the blood or tears coating him or the pain in his muscles. He held her close, his face in her hair as she broke in his arms.

After a long while of standing like that, Clovis gently began sorting out her hair, tidying the back a bit and placing the hair comb properly to soothe those wild tendrils. He managed to make her look presentable, his hands shook slightly as he did. The care he was showing touched Kyera's bleeding heart and slowed the flow.

"Kyera…" he trailed off, not sure how to ask what he needed to know. What his heart ached for a answer to. He was shocked to silence when a pair of soft, slightly swollen lips met his. Without hesitation he kissed back, one arm wrapping back around her waist supporting her tip toe posture.

"Clovis, I think questions can wait till after our wedding night. I don't want this to ruin our beginning together." Kyera whispered, knowingly putting his fears to bed. She knew this was where she was wanted, where she was needed. G.o.ds knew she was falling for him, hard and fast. The past should stay there, the Verone she knew was… dead. Whether he was a act or the man at heart she was sure of one thing. Her heart laid in the hands of another, and would never return to the bare halls of her past.