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

"Let's go find out what our… guests need." Kyera replied, as the slightly submissive tones of 'Moon' disappeared. The tiger Princess within returned as she turned to lead them toward the gates. Out in the forest the scent of shifters was stronger but there were only the three. She couldn't smell wet fur or the tale tell scents of shifters hiding. The shadows divulged their secrets as Kyera's eyes pried at them. None dared hide anything from her. Shadow energy formed pools around all of her paws as she approached the edge. 


"You three are bold to break the laws of the forest to challenge me." Kyera growled as the three wild cats turned to face her. Three tigers she didn't recognize on site or by scent which was redoubling. There were so few tiger clans…


A large dark red tiger with black as night and stained darker with blood long dried. A slash across his face was made by a very small paw. Kyera couldn't help but feel a hint of satisfaction at seeing her handy work once again. That deep scar would be yet another clear mark of his sins against their shared people. 


"Long time no see Lady Kyera." Kan greeted sweeping a paw into a bow. His eyes twinkled with mirth. Lazren had to repress the instinct to bust the tiger across the jaw. 


"That is probably for the best, Kan. If I was younger we would be tumbling in a ball of blood and pain as we had last we met." Kyera reminded him of that short battle. She had nearly taken his site, and tore his throat out at the tender age of eleven. 


"Yes, I suppose so. How's your lover, Vinny was it?" he taunted and she barely reacted to his sally. 


"Verone, you spineless excuse for a walking rug." Mally growled angrily as her own composure failed her. Kan looked at her and raised his brows in surprise. 


"Oh, did I not kill your mate as well, Lady Mally? Small world. I provided so much for the pair of you to bond over. You should truly be thanking me. I rescued you both from relationships that didn't care for you at all, and provided you a sisterhood stronger than death itself." Kan replied with a deep throaty chuckle. The pair flanking him sniggered darkly. Kyera growled softly as a warning. 


"Don't push us, Kan. I do not fear death as long as I take you with me." Kyera reminded him, her tone overly sweet as she cast a glance at Mally, who was heeding her warning. 


"I know you do not, Fearless Princess but do you fear for those you love? I know you do. I came, believe it or not, to help you." Kan replied with a serious sense to his voice. Kyera watched him closely as he sat, paws in front of him  and straight as those statues at the entrance to the palace. 


"Help me? How?" Kyera asked with a dark chuckle. She sat down a bit hesitant, but knowing shes more agile than he was.


"There's a new power in the forest. Their goal is to take over our home tribe. Kyera you don't want to hear this but you CAN NOT go home any time soon. You can not chance it. If you do there will be more at stake than just your people." Kan spoke cooly but with a layer of earnestly that neither of them had expected. Kyera watched his eyes, and he did not look away. He did not try to hide from her but she knew him to be crafty. 


"Why would I not go home? Let us be honest Kan, but my leadership matters to my people and nothing is more important than their safety." Kyera replied and he shook his head, a amused grin on his tiger expression. 


"Yes, I know… but are you willing to chance another war like that which took your grandfather?" Kan asked and Kyera tensed, suddenly speechless.


Visitors in the Night Part 2