The Tiger Within 92 The Princess Within Part 1

"Oh, then I shall be fine, don't you think, Raina?" Feya asked, her voice velvety smooth. Raina seemed to think for a long moment and Feya's mind couldn't help but wonder how much he had told their child. Finally, Raina pursed her lips and began to speak.

"Yes, but you need to keep an eye on my cousins…" Raina replied seriously. Her sweet little face seemed truly concerned. Though Clovis was fairly sure why she said that he decided to prompt her anyway.

"And Why's that, Princess?" he asked and she looked up at her Father with true concern.

"They are young but they don't know any better and can be mean sometimes. The Good Indigo Snake doesn't like mean kids." she pointed out and he sighed, having expected this. Feya's interest was peaked.

"But they are close to your age, and two are older than you, Princess." Feya pointed out smoothly. Clovis shot her a death glare and she was lost. She didn't realize she said something wrong till Raina looked down at the edge of her sleeve, fiddling with it.

"Yes… but Beauty Lyra says I had to grow up faster because I didn't have a Mommy to protect me. They get to be kids longer and need more attention." Raina's response was like shards of ice digging into Feya's heart. Before Feya could respond, Clovis picked his little girl up. He placed a kiss to her soft raven hair and shot Feya a look that was filled with sorrow and disappointment of a broken heart.

"Let me walk you out, First Princess Feya." Clovis interceded before anymore could be said. Feya nodded and Clovis walked toward the doors. "Thank you, Feya. If it wasn't for you, I would have been too late to protect what I have." he whispered so Raina could not hear. He then turned and walked back inside, carrying his little girl to her room.

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The Beauty Palace of Winter Rains

Kyera stood quietly in the mirror looking at the slip she wore. Mally was preparing to wrap her in silks and satins again but Kyera shook her head. She raised a hand and swirled it several times. The shadows seemed to follow her every move. The cloth found itself wrapped and swirled around her, tied snuggly and carefully in place. A fox and a wolf tying the bow on her hip.

The purple fabric fit snuggly to her bodice and hips drifting off her hips. She spun a few times and the wolf and fox tugged and danced beneath the dress making sure it settled on her properly. Mally watched in awe as the three played with the fabric till it set perfectly on Kyera's pet.i.te frame. She felt as though she was watching a gypsy dance with the spirits beyond. Suddenly, she understood why Kyera had always been so self reliant.

"Wow… That fits well.." Mally commented inspecting Kyera as soon as she stopped spinning around. Kyera nodded as the wolf and fox shifted forms to tend to their lady's hair. White tendrils were carefully woven and pinned into place to create a woven pattern at the back of her head. The other strands teased and tempted into lovely curls cascading over her back in thick waves. The Fox reached for a little box on the counter only to find it quickly stolen by Mally's swift hands. "No little spirit, this one I get to add." She chided him opening the box. She brought out a pair of amethyst and silver hair pins. Kyera waited patiently as her friend slid the piece into her hair, the dangles contrasting against her hair as they shimmered in the light. Mally Sighed and Kyera turned to look at her curiously.