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

"I only did what she needed. I am not trying to be her mother…" Kyera explained honestly feeling a little lost and hopeless. She herself had noticed exactly what he was saying. Over time, and she wasn't really sure how or when, but she had indeed started to act like a mother figure. 


She had tried to be a teacher and a mentor but there was such a fine line between a mother and a teacher. A mother fulfilled the same duties to teach and to guide but a teacher who defends and loves was a mother. Kyera cursed herself knowing this was going to make things complicated. Alexi must have been able to see the conflict in her soul for he seemed concerned. 


"Lady Kyera, forgive me if that seemed as though I was pointing out a flaw. You are one of the best things that has happened to Raina. There is nothing wrong with you being that role model for our Princess. If Prince Clovis or any of us that matter minded it, you would know by now." Alexi tried to assure her. Kyera sighred. 


"I just… taking care of her and the time I have spent with the Fourth Prince has been one of the few things that has given me true joy. I don't want to jeopardize that." Kyera explained, not aware of how that sounded to the Prince standing before her or the one she hadn't noticed yet, listening nearby. 


"I get that. Lady Kyera, if I may, don't worry about it too much. Clovis and Raina both adore you. I am certain nothing will take you away from them if you don't want to go." Alexi reassured her as Clovis walked up as though he didn't hear a word. 


"Excuse me, Second prince, but there is but one guest I have not danced with tonight. You happen to be distracting her." Clovis interrupted with a bit of a polite smile. He honestly appreciated his brother for the first time since they were just children. He was completely right. Nothing could take her away if she didn't want to go. 


"Of course. Good evening, Fourth brother, Lady Kyera." Alexi nodded at them both and walked away, melting into the crowd. Kyera looked at Clovis a little surprised by his behavior. He held a hand out to take her hand.


"Shall we dance?" he asked as he smiled at her, having saved the best for last. Of all the dances he had endured this evening, he had a feeling this would be most pleasing, her surprised expression alone told him it would not be traditional by any means. 


Kyera laid her small hand in his, the soft silk of her skin in his palm. His fingers closed lightly as he led her onto the dance floor. She followed a bit surprised as he did so. Many of the other ladies in the room watched as Clovis placed a hand on Kyera's slender waist and the other held her hand. He was prepared moments before the song began.


"Clovis I don't know how to dance like this." she whispered and he looked surprised before offering a teasing grin, mischeif in his expression until he noticed the worry in her eyes. His expression became reassuring as the first few steps were made. 


"Just follow my lead. If you make a mistake, I will save you." he offered gently as he led her through the steps.


Kyera placed her trust in him, each step causing her dress to flow around them like a winter storm. Spinning and twirling across the dance floor as the fire light glistened off the embroidery of her dress and his jacket. Their elegance matched beautifully, and the way she submitted to his lead added to his masculine charm. There was something cohesive and enchanting as the two seemed to melt into one another.  


Clovis and Kyera however, were bluntly unaware of the men and women who were watching them. They could feel each other. Their core power, the warmth they both gave off and the sensation of moving together in such a passionate way. The dance itself was elegant but the reactions and intensity of their spirits meeting was filled with passion. As he dipped her back, Kyera's molten gold eyes met his and he leaned in his lips hovering inches from hers.


Clif Hanger