The Tiger Within 469 The Emperor's Banner

"Could they not come to you, My Lady Empress?" The Guard asked rather worried about her health as he moved closer to offer as much of his head as he could manage. He was a older man, dark hair peppered with silver. Erin had been with her ladyship since she was just a beauty under the Emperor Prior's hand. However, now he was old and yet his body was still spry even though the soul grew heavy.

"He would if we asked, however there are several reasons I do not wish for him too. First off, He tried to come home and pay respects and was turned away. Secondly, his daughter has been abused in this house as long as she has been alive. He and his sister were abused because of his father. Thirdly, his little wife has been shamed and denied her place at our table. Despite all this, he returned for his people. He returned and tried to show the proper respect and was denied that right. If me walking through this yard measures up at least in part to what he went through in these halls, it will go a long way toward healing the rift formed by hate and pain." The Empress Vivian explained carefully. Erin nodded and took his cloak off, laying it around her delicate shoulders.

"Then I shall walk it with you, My Lady." Erin agreed moving to her side. Addie stood on her left, Erin on her right and Gracy her silent shadow. Light shined in the tigress's eyes but she had no idea what welcome awaited her.

*************

The bed was warm and inviting, the blanket itself encompa.s.sing Kyera in warmth. The baby in her womb was calm and happy in the serenity of the night. Clovis however, was a bit nervous as he watched his wife and daughter sleeping. It was nearly time for dinner, and yet neither had shown any signs of waking.

On one hand, he knew women with child needed food quite a bit. Afterall, Kyera's already decent appet.i.te had tripled since she had become a carrier. Then again, she also needed lots of sleep. Also out of the norm for his princess, but what the baby needed she needed. There was also the wake her up, feed her, and put her back to bed method. However, there was a small problem with that. Between 'ahh shes so cute' sleeping phase and "ooh Food!" stage there was the wake up phase. This was also known as the Perfect Mommy stage, because no one had the guts to call it the "Angry Monster of Waking Up before Mommy Cares too so she will Tear your head off Phase". Clovis had no opinion on the accuracy of either term, but would silently refer to it as one over the other.

As if answering his delima, there was a shifting motion on the bed. Kyera was starting to wake up. There was a sweet but almost pained expression on her face as she stretched, a languide motion as if she was swimming out of the restful pool of dreams. Clovis walked over and leaned down, kissing his wife on the lips.

"Hey Kitten, its time for you to eat something." He whispered against her forehead, dreaming it safe to bother her now. Two stretches were usually the minimum before he would even consider bothering her.

"Mmh? Oh… Okay." Kyera murmured as her golden eyes began to open a bit faster than usual. It was clear she was a little hungry. Food always seemed to make the wake up process easier. Clovis sighed, this was going to be his world for the next eight months, and he was surprised to find he was glad. When Raina was in the womb, he had little chance to take care of her mother. The woman was too stubborn to let him, she prefered to play victim with everyone around her waiting on her. Kyera however, only bent for him. She only let him take care of her because he insisted, but the point was she let him. It made him feel wanted, needed during even the early stages of the pregnancy.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he grabbed her dress and slippers from beside the bed. As she sat up, he slipped the slippers onto her feet before she ever touched the cold stone ground. She smiled and whispered a thank you.

"I am okay. A little sore from the ride." Kyera admitted as he helped her slip on the dress. She had offered to have a maid or the shadow's helped but he seemed to like helping her with it. Again, she wasn't going to argue with him. If it made him happy, who was she to deicide what was proper?

"Well, I am sorry…"

"Clovis we got a problem. The Royals are here." Alexi burst into the room, only poking his head and shoulders into the room, hands gripping the door itself in case of incoming shoes.

"Which royals?" Clovis asked his back tense.

"I believe Father… at least it's his banner." Alexi replied and his brother sighed deeply, reaching up to cup Kyera's face.

"Alright we will be out in a moment." Clovis replied and waited for Alexi to disappear again. "No matter what anyone says, your my wife." He rea.s.sured her, though he knew it wasn't completely necessary.

Kyera straightened her dress, the billowy fabric falling over the tiny bulge that was their baby. She turned to Talis. "Stay with Raina. Lyra and I will go with Clovis." Kyera ordered as she took her husband's arm. Clovis held her hand proudly.

"Let's see what the old man wants." He whispered and lead Kyera from the room with a rather determined and dignified walk.