67 The Palace of Serenity Part 2

Kyera laid still under her eyes and let the cool air expand her lungs to full capacity again. A familiar scent draped like a blanket over Kyera's senses. It was her. The smell she hadn't smelt since she was just a cub. She tried to sit up, to locate the owner with her eyes.

The moment she spotted her, Kyera struggled to her feet. The beautiful white tigress with a silvering muzzle descended the stairs with such elegance she could almost pass for a tigress in her prime. Kyera was even more aware of each pained, shakie shift she had to make to stand.

A low growl rumbled deep in her chest as the Tigress paused at the bottom step, tilting her head. The little jewel settled on her forehead danced with the movement a mocking diamond in the eyes of the Cub she had thrown away. The elder Tigress eyes narrowed as she sniffed the air.

The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow and picked up a resistant Raina. The little girl didn't understand what was going on, but she didn't want to leave her Tigress.

The older woman pulled her away firmly and stepped back, she knew posture well enough to know these two Tigers knew and did not like each other. The elder tigress straightened her head and stepped off the steps. Kyera hissed and took a step back. For every step forward Kyera took one back.

"MoonGlow?" the tigress whispered as if tasting the word, but to Kyera it was a curse. She hissed and turned running into the woods despite the cries of pain that fought past her lips. Kyera couldn't handle seeing her. Not in the state shes in.

It would have been easier if she was wearing a collar or looked the slightest bit worse for wear. She didn't. THAT CREATURE looked better than Kyera did after all these years. A tigress in her prime, seen as a beauty amongst her kin was a rough country bumpkin beside that traitor.

"Moon! MOON!" cried Raina's little voice after her. Kyera wanted to turn back to the child but she couldn't. If she did they would fight. She couldn't promise she would stop till blood spilt and stained that white coat red. The little one didn't need to see that.

Even as she ran, Kyera knew she didn't want the child to see her like that. Fearsome and angry, a killer. There was no doubt in her mind if she faced off against her mother… one would not leave alive. Not after all the pain and suffering she and her brothers had endured because she couldn't be a mother to her children.

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Back at the tea table, The Dowager Empress still held her great grandchild and rocked her trying to sooth her tears. Raina hiccupped as her father walked into the garden. She wiggled free of the Dowager Empress who allowed her free. The child ran straight to her father's arms. He knelt down, gathering his baby close to him.

"She ran away…" the little one cried. Her voice caught in the heavy breathing of a little one who had cried too much to speak properly. She hid her face in his shoulder and sniffled.

Clovis looked at the Empress Dowager and raised an eyebrow. He was at a loss as to who the Princess meant. The Empress Dowager sighed "The Princes was returned to us, and her savior ran away when my Tigress came to greet her. She's been inconsolable ever since." The Empress Dowager explained watching Raina with tender eyes. The poor thing was shaking now as she controlled her emotions.

"Ahh… whoever it was bring them back. I wish to thank them… her… personally." he replied gently rocking the princess holding her tight. The Emperor and Queens arrived moments later having followed as quickly as dignity would allow. It was unsurprising that Clovis hadn't given a damn about etiquette as he ran to his daughter.