The Tiger Within 475 Mother's Claim

"You didn't give me much choice, young mother to be." She pointed out and Kyera frowned. Clovis moved closer to his wife, a stance clearly protective.

"Empress Vivian, baby or not, Kyera is my wife. She was, is, and forever will be my only wife." Clovis declared rather boldly. Even his brother and his wife looked at him with a bit of surprise on their faces, while Kyera merely blushed proud but embarra.s.sed at the same time.

"I am not a mother to be, either. I have a daughter, and are merely excited for her sibling. Though Raina may not be my blood, that does not make me any less her mother." Kyera replied firmly, unaware of the little form standing at the top of the stairs.

Raina suppressed the urge to run down the stairs to her grandmother. The conversation she walked in on had lowered her spirits. Was Kyera just trying to pacify her? Was she really not going to be Kyera's baby anymore?

However, Kyera's words were clear as she claimed Raina as her own, no matter what anyone said. Remembering her training, the child straightened herself and pat the hilt of the small rapier her grandfather had given her. Then she descended the stairs.

The Empress Vivian looked up, seeing the child on the stairs she had to look again. There was a certain surprise in her eyes as the child floated down and stood quietly at the bottom of the stairs. The orange tiger at her side standing proudly beside her. It seemed to see the other tiger and growl softly but then stopped.

Talis could see the aura wall around Kyera, and could see where it came from. Though he was confused, he chose not to react too quickly.

"Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt, Father, Mother." Before the child said mother she shot a look at Empress Vivian. There was a coldness in her eyes that made it clear how she felt. She walked over to the couch looking down at Kan.

Kan looked up at her as innocently as this particular tiger could manage. It was not easy to appear harmless when your fur was more or less stained with blood. She pat him on the head and the sheer annoyance on his face made her recoil.

"Princess, you seem to have grown quite pretty, was Shadow Veil good to you?" Empress Vivian asked with a smile. Raina smiled brightly.

"Yes, Grandfather Mordakai and Uncle Mordrin are the best!" Raina replied with a bright smile. It was clear the child was happy. Her skin glowed and so did the bright fire in her eyes. "Plus they were very nice to Daddy and I."

Empress Vivian nodded smiling as well. "I am glad to see you doing so well my Princess. Are you coming to the hunt ball tomorrow night with your Father?"

"If my Mother is going." Raina replied looking at Kyera hopefully.  In truth the child wanted to go. However, she also knew that the other mothers and her cousins would be there, and she wanted her mother there for support.

"Your mother is welcome of course. However that brings me to the next question. Who is going to be your hunter with your wife pregnant?" Enpress Vivian asked honestly curious. Clovis smiled.

"Kyera will still compete in the hunt. She will be on tiger back instead of horse, better for the baby. She will also be using a bow and arrow instead of daggers or traps." Clovis replies, gently putting a hand on his wife's delicate shoulder. Kyera smiled touching his hand.

"Are you sure that is wise?" The gaurd beside the Empress asked, obviously concerned. "There will be beasts she can't kill with just a arrow. It will be dangerous to send a woman in her state."

"Yes, but keep in mind I will be on a large cat. Talis and Ryo are both skilled fighters if need be. I will be perfectly safe." Kyera replied offering a rea.s.suring smile. Talis sat up proudly and Ryo bobbed his black head. Only one cat in the room flicked his tail with annoyance.

"Ahh so this brute is Ryo?" Empress Vivian asked motioning to Kan. Kyera shook her head.

"No. He is Kan. In all honesty he is a tiger of his own mind and ambitions. I can not rely on him alone."