222 What do You Plan to Do? Part 2

"My aura manages to keep it hidden and from hurting, but in all honesty they did it while I was asleep. I don't even know what the contract terms are. I am working on figuring that out so our main job right now is to make the most of being at the palace. I'm learning all I can about the people and how things work." Kyera replied shaking her head slowly. The palace was so much more complex than they had ever thought. "

"I see. Have you been able to gain any allies? Anyone who can help protect you there? Those people can be vicious, to each other more or less to you." Talis asked honestly worried about these creatures. Though it was obvious his princess cared for these two royals, did they for her?

"Yes, Clovis' brother in law is Mordrin. He recognized me and has had my back. Mally and a wolf named Lazren have my back as well. Though there is one in the palace I wish was not." she added softly looking a bit bothered. Talis sighed seeing her expression, he could roughly gauge the turmoil in Kyera's heart.

"Oh, who would that be?" Talis asked, knowing there were few who could cause such a reaction. Kyera chuckled softly as her mind wandered to the irony of the moment.

"Her. Akira Mei." Kyera replied and Talis stared at her a moment. The name was familiar, but only vaguely. Something told him it was a name he should certainly know but… he could not nail it down. Seeing his confusion Kyera sighed. "My Mother."

"oh… OH wow really?" he asked shock turning to surprise. Kyera nodded slowly.

"It turns out rumors were true. She left me and found a much cushier life and never looked back. She didn't even know my brothers were gone." she added with a soft sigh of disappointment. Talis didn't know how to respond to that. That creature leaving was so hard for that family, he remembered his own brother's hatred for that tigress. Talis had just been too young. His guilt drug its icy tendrils down his back again reminding him this was his fault. The reunion Kyera never wanted came about from his carelessness.

"I am sorry your in this mess. I should have been more careful." he added self loathing surfacing in his tone. Kyera shook her head, offering him a soft sad smile.

"No. It was me for a reason, Talis. I needed to make this journey. You were just the easiest way for Destiny to get her way." Kyera assured him, spitting the goddess' name like a curse. "It is part of who I am, little brother. I protect my own." He frowned, still feeling as though he was a traitor. His brother's love and the peoples Queen was taken away because of him. At the very least he was more than willing bait, ignoring their warnings as he dashed ahead. It was a mistake he never should have made.

"I don't know. My contract is complicated. I'm trying to figure it out so I can come home. If at all possible I will work out a way to meet with everyone. Perhaps here in the city. For now… Let everyone know I am well. I am more than happy to meet you or any of them here just get a message to me at the palace." Kyera reassured him, knowing that the pressure of ruleing would now fall on Talis' young shoulders. It was difficult to accept the position she left him in was similar to the position her brother's deaths had left her in.

"Should we send messengers?" he asked curiously. Kyera thought for a long moment.