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

The sun had banished the mist from the forest by the time Clovis and Kyera were ready to change and get ready to go. A servant had been asked to bring Kyera a change of clothes since her dress was going to need to be washed before she wore it into town. Currently, she stood in the spare room, staring at the dress she had been provided. It was a similar design to what she was use to seeing on the ladies of  the court, but nothing like she was used to wearing. 


It had dawned on her a few times that, despite her newly bestowed title, she still looked simpler than most the other women in the Palace and it seems so had this maid. 


Kyera picked up the beautiful lavender silk under dress and sighed. She slipped it over her corset and tried to shift it into position. The fabric fell over her form, bringing emphasis to her body's shape through the thin cloth.


 It ruffled around her knees with decorative lace and embroidery in soft cream colors. A darker purple dress fit over the top, wrapping around her breasts and falling to her feet, but there was a split in the front running from her toes to her waist. The effect ended up leaving the silk stockings covering her toned calves as well as the light colored ruffles and the delicate Embroidery visible. Kyera had to appreciate it, after all it would be a shame to hide such beautiful stitch work. 


Once the over dress was secured Kyera spun in a circle, watching how the dress settled on her form. The ribbon from the top of the dress fell around her and she  frowned seeing too many ways that could go wrong she draped it down the waist of the gown, across her body, and tied it into a bow over her hip. She couldn't help but grin as she looked at herself in the mirror. So pretty, and yet she felt a bit awkward. She actually looked like a princess on the outside rather than a forest ranger.


Feeling a bit shy she pulled her hair up into a ponytail so it fell down her back and slipped her hair pin in front of the tie. This dressed the look down just enough to be her style. 


When she walked out into the main hallway, and down to meet with Clovis her heart was beating a bit fast. A feeling of pride seemed to surge from deep within and travel throughout her form. Why? She had no real idea. It was different to feel pretty, despite the nipping guilt in the back of her mind. Then again, she had no right to wear mourning garb. Afterall, she was not his wife… though no fault but her own.  


Clovis was waiting, going over a few more documents at his desk. He had cleaned up well. His outfit more elaborate now that he was going out among his people. There was a certain expectation from the crown after all, and since he had put himself back into the race for the crown it mattered. 


What Kyera had not expected was the adorable little girl sitting next to him weaving once again at her adorable little loom. Raina looked up and a grin grew across the younger girl's face from ear to ear. She was too young to realize she should hide the admiration in her eyes.


The Difference a Dress Makes