345 Come Home.

The shade curved around the table that Mordrin and Mordakai sat together and drank their tea beneath. Neither seemed quite comfortable using the delicate china the Emperor had provided for them, the best of their land. Mordakai seemed to hold it as though he was afraid of it, not that they could blame him. It was so thin and delicate.

Mordrin saw the three moving toward him on the path, and his brows furrowed. Waving his hand at them to alert his father, he stood. There was something very wrong. The way Kyera moved and the look on the Empress's face told him there was something very wrong. His father stood as well as the trio approached.

"Empress, Fourth Princess Kyera, Fourth Prince Clovis, to what do we owe this pleasure?" Mordrin asked before his father had a chance to throw courtesy aside.

"Lady Eve, Lady Kyera and Fourth Prince Clovis." Lady Eve corrected motioning to her naked brow. Mordakai's eyes darkened as her looked to Lady Eve. The Emperor knelt beside the once proud Empress. There was sadness in her eyes, but anger in his own.

"Did that low life demote you?" he demanded disgust in his tone. Lady Eve bowed her head wiping her eyes gently.

"My Emperor, the Emperor left her no choice but to resign. My marriage has been revoked and I am sent home in disgrace." Kyera replied softly, the shame on her face apparent. The look on Mordrin's face suddenly matched his father.

"You dare marry Our Lady and then cast her aside like a toy? Does our military strength and ruthlessness need to be demonstrated again?" Mordrin growled, his voice taking a cold steel edge they had never heard before. His father smiled slightly seeing his son show the teeth he hid so well.

"Mordrin, it wasn't Clovis or the Empress. The decision was made by the Emperor and his queens. Please don't start a war now. I just want to come back to Shadow Veil. My people and I don't stand a chance here." Kyera's voice was tired and drained. He could see exhaustion in her eyes and the pain on her heart. So many dead she had seen, several she killed herself today. Those cold eyes… eyes that bloody kiss. She needed away from it, as Mordakai looked down at her, he saw the frightened child who had requested refuge after the death of her brothers. He saw the soul so close to breaking he didn't think she could handle the softest touch.

"Then come home. Lady Eve, if he will not respect you, you are to be Empress Dowager in Shadow Veil at my side. Afterall, your daughter shall be Empress just as my son shall be Emperor. There are no bloody queens in my nation so Empress will have to do." Mordakai spat the words with a venom they were not accustomed to. He turned to Clovis. "Do you renounce your bride?"

"Then you shall wed at our temple of the Shadow King in Shasta, the capital city. Your father will regret this." Mordakai assured him, placing one arm around Kyera's shoulders.

"Should I send for Raina?" Mordrin asked honestly ready to leave before any further talk of war could he had.

"No, she's with the Caravan. I had Daxin and the other Forest Knights keep her there among my people. We can leave as soon as we alert the Caravan." Kyera replied, honestly glad she had the Shifters build so many caravans when they had to form the village. Mordakai nodded.

"Good, then we shall leave. Do not worry about packing. We will get you all three dressed and properly cared for as the royals of our family. By blood or marriage Kin is Kin. Those who ignore this fact are the mud I scrape from my boots." Mordakai growled as he took control of the exit. Kyera let go of The Empress's chair knowing it would be taken by someone else.