Valinteena

In a world left with scars from a great war, the humans rejoice in their victory, but also weep at the cost. Unaware of the blind hatred that led to the slaughter, an entire race was nearly erased from the face of their lands. They believed they had wiped the shifters from the face of the planet, little did they know very few lived on in the very forests they visited, and in the villages they traded with. Forced into hiding, the shifters built a new clan, and lived by the old rules, hiding from humanity. 

Kyera Shade of the Moon is a Shapeshifter who takes the form of a White tigress with silver stripes. Alone in the world, and carrying the weight of her clan on her shoulders, she attempts to uphold the law she was born to, and protect the remaining of her kind. Her heart decimated by the deaths of her brothers and the absence of her mother, she finds herself caught in a net and unable to break free. In her moment of desperation, a hand reaches out and catches her. A man who threatens to steal her heart away, but can she learn to forgive herself? Can she find love and salvation in another's arms after the betrayals of so many? 

Clovis of the Dancing Rain is the fourth Prince of the Forest Kingdom. He is a clever man, but had no wish to be king. Perfectly happy to raise is Daughter in peace now that his young wife had passed. There was darkness and secrets in his past, but there was no place for revenge in his future. Not until they took it too far. Pushing his bottom line a need to take the crown lit in his heart. However, he needed one thing more than anything else... the right woman by his side. As if the answer to a prayer, a woman appeared. Beautiful and trustworthy who loved his daughter as much as he did, if not more. Yet her heart was broken, her world surrounded by secrets and shadows, perhaps she was best left alone. However, would he be able to live without her?

The Tiger Within

A week passed as Kyera watched over the weakened Empress. Her eyes opened on the second day, but only for a short while before she once again drifted into sleep. The Gathering of Wild Ones was postponed a bit, with all the stress in the palace the Emperor did not see fit to have the Declaration of Loyalty ceremony as of yet. 


This was a huge relief to Kyera who had her hands full just trying to keep the Empress sleeping soundly and healing properly. Just helping her gain strength was a task. They barely succeeded qt keeping her eyes open long enough to greet anyone. This was both a blessing and a curse. The more she slept the more success she had, though it had quickly become clear there was nothing to do about Eve's legs. She couldn't feel them. It had taken a day or two for Eve to come to terms with this, but no one rushed her or let on that they already knew. 


The autumn skies were especially beautiful as Kyera opened the window to let in the sunlight. Leaves the color of crimson and gold painted the trees and reflected in the small lake in the courtyard. The golden rays spilled across the bed warming the blankets and bringing out a even more pleasant glow from Eve's skin. The Empress smiled softly basking in the warmth. 


"Does the sunlight feel pleasant?" Kyera asked with a smile. Her reactions were clear but the simple "Mmmhmmm" sound the Empress made was promising. She was being vocal, wich was a sign things were looking better. "Good. That is always a good thing. Sunlight is good for your health." Kyera added, knowing its true even though she preferred the shadows.  


"Thank you." Eve spoke in a soft whisper. Kyera smiled softly at her realizing this was the first time she had felt like herself here. Her abilities and her nature coming out to shine. 


"No need to thank me for doing the job of a healer, Empress." She replied humbly, unaware of the very pleased look she received from the Empress. The calm soothing nature of the healer coupled with a moment of kindness changed Evelyn's chance for survival survival from possibility to certainty. 


"Still." Eve relied, reaching out to pat her hand with shaky fingers. Kyera smiled softly. 


"It wasn't just my efforts, my Empress. The Emperor and your granddaughter are a large part of why you're still here." Kyera added trying to redirect her attention to her family. The Empress raised a brow in question. 


"Oh really?" the word more a shape of the mouth than a word but Kyera was able to understand what she meant. Years of reading lips at council  was paying off in ways she had not expected. 


"Yes. Princess Raina brought me here and the Emperor helped me treat you. From helping feed you to keeping you warm at night." Kyera replied offering a soft smile. The surprise in Eve's eyes was clear as she pondered the words spoken by her healer.


Her first reaction was lies, but why would she? It would also explain the dreams and the sent she had thought to be memories. Tired. She felt too drained to continue the thought and let it rest. 


"I know the healing is a slow process. You should try to rest. Addie is here, she will watch over you for a bit. I need to go visit my sister for a bit." Kyera replied smiling gently. Addie nodded at her sweetly, walking over to sit by the Empress. Kyera bowed to the Empress before walking out into the sunshine. 


Her eyes flicked to the sun and she sighed.  She missed the days of being a daughter of the night. The cool winds and the soft, loving glow of moonlight. Day was her home now, but only temporarily… at least she hoped that was the case.


In the Sun Part 1