518 Goodbyes and a Stubborn Ember

The sun was already starting to rise when Kyera stepped through the portal and out into the open air. The bottle of pills carefully nested in her pocket. They were real. All four brothers had tested them and the precious little tea balls were truly what she said they were. It was a pleasant and puzzling surprise from her Aunt, but she wasn't inclined to question it. Sometimes a person could go through so much pain, they would even stop their own worst enemy from going through the same.

The courtyard was already bustling with activity as the two large carriages were being prepared. Two frost dragons laid beside the Storm Twins in the yard. One was bright blue and stood out against the snow, with its pearl belly scales and keen silver eyes. Beside him was a dragon that could blend into this unforgiving landscape. With scales the color of fresh powdered snow and warm pink eyes she was striking to behold. Ivory raised her head as Kyera walked through the palace gates. The Guards looked rather surprised to see her coming in. A familiar face, captain of the guard looked at the palace window that should have been her room then at Kyera.

"You are going to give my guard a bad name, sneaking out like that." Sansor chided and Kyera just chuckled at him.

"Like you haven't, Cousin?" Kyera challenged knowing his troublesome nature all too well. He tried to keep a stern face but, a wicked smirk broke his attempt at seriousness.

"Yes, but I have the decency to sneak back in." He teased hugging her lightly. Kyera hugged him back.

"I will remember that next time." Kyera replied returning the hug before turning to look at the carriages. "Have the kills been loaded in the smaller carriage already? Are the girls up yet?" She asked glancing back at him.

"I oversaw the packing of the meat and pelts myself. Each is in a chest marked with the name of the Princess that slayed its contents. I don't know if they are up or not. I just tend the courtyard. Bryson and the Butler deal with inside the Palace." Sansor replied as he showed her the smaller carriage.

It was large by normal carriage standards and would take an entire team of horses  to pull it if you could find a trail wide enough to pull it on. However, it was smaller than the passenger carriage beside it. The wheels on both carriages had long tree trunks that jutted out in front of and behind them with wholes a quarter of the way through them. These holes were used to hitch the carriage to the dragon's harnesses.

"Good. We need to get on the move so the meat can he delivered early enough to be Cooked for the ball tonight." Kyera replied looking at the horizon to gauge the time. Sansor however bumped against her, making her lean slightly. His eyes were filled with mischief and knowing.

"With a husband that cherishes every inch of me like Clovis, who needs shame?" She replies turning and walking to the steps where Bryson and the Matriarch were exiting the palace to join them. Leaving Sansor to wonder just how his cousin meant her teasing words… or was she teasing at all? Her expression didn't seem like it.

"My Lady Matriarch, Unc...Grandfather Bryson." Kyera corrected herself offering a apologetic smile. She saw slight wave of emotion in his eyes as he swept her into a hug.

"Granddaughter." He whispered as the Princesses joined them outside. Kyera smiled at him brightly. It was heartwarming…  and the first time she had heard him call her as such. It was a title she had never held before and… oddly made her feel special despite the fact she wasn't even his only grandchild.

"I thought you had been told to call me Mother or Grandest Mother, Kyera?" Crystalsa asked placing a hand on her delicate hip to give off the air of disapproval. Kyera sighed and turned hugging her as well.

"Sorry Grandest Mother, I will learn better." Kyera replied. Formal training was going to be hard to break when she's among the Frost Royals.

"If you keep visiting so often perhaps you will get the hang of it." Crystalsa replied hauntingly, her marry eyes dancing with happiness.

"Yes… that would help." Kyera chuckled thinking it was good natured teasing.

"Then it is settled. You will visit more often. Who knows, maybe you will one day call this palace home as Fantasy once did." Crystalsa said a bit wistfully as she brushed a wayward strand of moonlight behind Kyera's ear.

"I already do." Kyera replied smiling at the old woman.