The Tiger Within 465 Palace Of The Flourishing Summer

Unlike the other earthy palaces, Alexi's humble home was anything but. The walls were made of white stone that had been polished smooth. Wood and gold arched doorways and soft blue paint and gla.s.s made up accents throughout the home. There were murals on some walls of birds flying in small groups across walls, down hallways, and birds of prey perched in ceiling corners. It was magnificent and glowing with life.

Raina looked around, her little mind curious as she had never been in her Uncle's palace. There were too many people for her to run into, both on the way here and in these very halls. However, now her father was here and so was Mother and Talis. There was nothing that could touch her with her family so near. Thinking of family she missed Grandmother, and Grandfather Mordakai. She wondered what they were doing now.

Meanwhile she was led to a central room, it was a room with eight walls, and on every other wall there was a arch, leading down one hallway or another. The layout of the palace was very interesting. There were several servants scuttling about, hurrying about their tasks with a bit of urgency. It was as if the master of the house was a fire breathing dragon who needed things exactly right to be appeased.

"I had the servants prepare two rooms, adjoining and both well guarded. You three can get some rest and we will talk to Father and the Holding Empress when you feel refreshed." Alexi offered as he motioned to the hallways behind him. Several servants, men and women stood ready to show them the way. Kyera smiled, the smile weary and almost angelic on her gentle face. Clovis nodded.

"Kyera and the baby need rest at the very least. I would like to catch up with you, brother. That is, if you have the mind to waste a little time with me?" Clovis asked with a bit of a teasing smile. Alexi seemed to consider this for several seconds. His expression was almost too serious to be believed. In fact, even little Raina didn't believe it.

"I will go with Mommy and lay down. You two be good. Lya please make sure they behave." Raina ordered the panther who seemed to salute her. Kyera smiled as her daughter took her hand and led her to follow the servants.

The two men watched the girls go with warm smiles as the panther stayed to watch them both. "Raina has grown up so much. She's quite the young lady." Alexi complimented honestly impressed at what a change just a few weeks had made.

"Yes, I wish I could say it was completely my doing. However, I'm afraid Shadow Veil and the Royals there have done a world of good for her. she has confidence and skills I never dreamed she would take to so easily." Clovis admitted as he and his brother walked side by side.

Of the two, Clovis was more slender and fair boned. Though taller than Alexi, the elder boy was more muscular and built for bow as well as sword. They were a stark contrast, like Fae and Elf. They were carved from the same cloth but one more st.u.r.dy than the other.

Back inside the room, the servants placed piping hot tea and a a.s.sortment of cakes on a plate in the room. Kyera and Raina sat down to tea, unable to turn down non ration food. The cakes were lovely and a perfect blend of tart and sweet. One was even topped with dragon fruit, one of Kyera's favorites and apparently, the babies too.

"I am glad to be back, but I miss my room." Raina offered the conversation and Kyera smiled.

"We will be back in the Palace of Dancing Winds soon. There is just some misunderstandings." Kyera tried to rea.s.sure her but Raina frowned putting down the raspberry tart in her hands.

"Mommy, will you be honest with me?" Raina asked and the danger sensors went off in Kyera's head. There were so many dangerous questions and even more dangerous answers if the child had the mind to ask. However, Kyera felt she didn't really have a choice.

"I will always be as honest as I can, Raina." Kyera replied tactfully and Raina nodded. It was apparent the child had expected a answer like that.

"Good. Then why did First Uncle Bastil cause trouble for Daddy?" Raina asked, those pretty blue eyes boring into Kyera's very soul.

She knew whatever her answer may be, it would shape their relationship from this day forward. The full truth, which would cause conflict, or a simplification and a bit of selective omission to calm the child's fears. Which was the right choice as a mother? As a Princess? As a Warrior?