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

Nerves were high as three women made their way down the path toward the Dancing Wind's Man hall. All three ladies were sweeping down the path at a slow and graceful pace. Princess Raina was fiddling with the bow on her dress. Kyera smiled at her and knelt down, smiling at Raina as she straightened the bow and readjusted the dress on the child's hips. 


"Beautiful girl, you really must stop toying with the bow, it twists it on your frame." Kyera chided her lightly. The beautiful purple fabric was light and flowing around the Princess's slender frame. The lowest layer of the dress fell to her  knees but two thin, sheer silver layers lay over the top creating a flowing skirt around the Princess's legs. The material was flexible and swayed with her walk. Kyera smiled as the bow sat properly on her waist. The top was settled off her shoulders but the wrap around her chest was embroidered with beautiful flowers  that were thick at her waist. Lower on the dress however only a few were scattered as if those cherry blossoms were falling and dancing down the dress. 


"I know." Raina replied sheepishly, her eyes cast to look at the ground beside her. Kyera smirked softly, using a finger to lift her chin. 


"Princess Raina, what do you have to be nervous of? These people are here to impress you and become your Mother. If they aren't nice to you they can leave. Your a proud princess and should act like it." Kyera reminded her gently, as she pulled  a hair pin out of her hair and slicked a wayward strand back before pinning it again. 


"What if I don't want them as my Mother? What if they don't play, or read books with me? Maybe they don't  like teaching me things or fixing my hair. How will I know who is a good Mother and who is faking it?" Raina asked her little eyes filled with worry. Kyera sighed, knowing all too well what the child wanted. She herself had harbored such dreams as a girl. 


"Raina, even if she doesn't like to read or play with you or do your hair you will always have me, Okay? Just help find someone you like being around. The rest will work itself out." Kyera reassured her as she met Raina's troubled blue pools. She looked about as anxious as her father had. Kyera stood and smoothed her own skirt around her waist and adjusted the stockings on her lower legs. 


"Promise?" Raina asked honestly just wanting to hear the reassurance and Kyera smiled. 


"Who better to have your back than the one who believes in you?" Kyera replied with another gentle smile. There was a fiery confidence in her eyes that melted away the child's uncertainty. Taking her hand, the pair walked together into the Palace hall.


Who Better to Have Your Back?