The Tiger Within 522 Prince Damar

"Are you sure that is alright? I doubt Clovis would approve." The Nanny tried to deny and Prince Damar glared at her. There was no way when was going to give up her revenge this easily, but Damar didn't care. He wasn't leaving either child with her. She could try and stop him

… and he almost hoped he would. If the children weren't there she wouldn't have to do anything to get what was coming to her.

"Third Prince Clovis is with my father now. He has suggested the Princess spend time with my sons more in the past. I see no reason for it to be of your concern. The girls nanny will be along." He added, offering Raina his hand. She reached for it smiling gratefully as Nannu Tae was forced to release her. "Now then, we have wasted enough time. So, unless you want me to bend you over my knee and beat some sense into you, Nanny Tae, stand aside. Children, come along." He swept Raina up into his arms to carry her and followed his two sons down the path.

Raina was surprised. This was the first time Damar had carried her. He was surprisingly warm for the cold fierceness of his aura. Damar was a warrior. He didn't show affection much, and when he did it was seen as possessiveness because no one understood his mind. To Raina, it reminded her of Daxin. Though Damar was inexperienced at carrying a little girl, he did so delicately as they walked to the stable yard.

There he set her down and Raina readjusted her dress. "Thank you for the a.s.sistance, Uncle." Raina offered him her cutest little ray of sunshine smile. Damar raised a brow slightly but couldn't hide the slight quirk to the corner of his mouth.

"I am your uncle, it's what I should do. Now then let's get you a horse saddled." Damar replied as he walked into the stables rather quickly. He seemed a bit awkward but Raina was too distracted to notice much.

"You are my uncle, but Bastil is also my uncle and he is never nice to me. For that matter neither are the Queens nor is my aunt." Raina pointed out and he stopped for a moment.

"Has Melania treated you poorly?" He asked turning back to look at her out of the corner of his eye. Raina thought about her Third Aunt carefully. She was a doting mother and hardly paid attention to anyone or anything else.

"Aunt Melania has always been busy with the boys. I didn't talk to her much but she has a pretty smile." Raina replied thoughtfully and won a small smile from her uncle and a certain amount of warmth.

"Yea she had a very nice smile when she thinks no one is watching." He replied softly while leading a small mare and a large stallion out of the stalls. Raina took the smaller horse's reins and lead it out into the stable yard.

"Uncle, I feel like you avoided my question." Raina stated as she began petting and familiarizing herself with the golden mare she was to ride.

"Oh, do you now?" Damar asked as the twins were already in the saddle and putting their horses through the paces. "Well, to be honest, Princess it is because of the crown. Everyone is competing so hard for it that they forget who it hurts." He added turning to her. "Here let me." He tightened the saddle and then lifted her into it in two swift motions.

"Thank you, Uncle. What about you though? You're competing for the crown." Raina pointed out as she settled into the mare's saddle. The pony was rather docile and shifted slightly under her weight. She was  nothing to this horse.

"Yes, this is true, but…" Damar paused as he jammed one foot into a stirrup and slung himself into the saddle. The stallion took his weight with ease and tossed its head ready to go. "I, much like your father, have my own reasons and none of them have to do with power but with family."  

"Family?" Raina asked curiously. She honestly didn't know why her father was competing. She figured it was just so they could return home.

"Yes, you see I love my sons and my wife. I can't let them down. However, that doesn't mean I'm willing to hurt my Nieces and Nephews or my brothers to do so. A Emperor must take the crown fairly, and be capable of making good choices. Everyone gets so wrapped up in the power they forget compa.s.sion. Don't ever forget your enemy is human too, with feelings. Never break a person's mind or body without knowing the consequences of your actions." He replied calmly before turning to face the road ahead. "Boys, north pa.s.s. Careful not to get too far ahead, the Princess hasn't been out this way before." He reminded them before the group of four started down the trails.