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

Raina had hurried back to her studies, Daxin was brewing tea when she arrived. A familiar scent caused him to growl lightly, subconsciously as the hair on the back of his neck raised. He put a hand on his dagger slipping it from it's sheath before looking up. Seeing Raina he had a mix of emotions pass over him. 


Starting with confusion, he hadn't expected the child would be the source of that smell. Then again it changed to worry but noticing her smile his expression settled on concern. "Where have you been, Princess Raina? The tea water almost evaporated completely before you arrived." Daxin was a gentle soul, and though it was a gentle chide she could tell it was a serious one. She moved to her knees beside him and began mixing the leaves for the tea. 


"I was asked by a guard to get Kyera for a moment. I am sorry, Master. I  will send word next time." she replied sincerely. He watched as she read the recipe and mixed the tea according to his direction. Over time, she would learn those medicines without the note cards, but for now she would need them. 


"I see. A guard? Well your father was looking for her." Daxin replied a bit of a pit forming in his stomach. Why did he have a feeling something was about to go wrong?


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Clovis stood motionless, leaning against a tree his mind deep in thought. He stared at his bride to be just below, in the garden. She was embraced by another man, at a rather splendid tea table. He felt the jealousy rising inside him as he watched the pair embrace. 


Was he setting himself up for another heart ache? He wondered, but part of him held onto the details. The man had hugged her but she had not returned it. Shifters seemed to be more open to contact as well so this could be normal among friends. 


Then again, was it? He had no blessed idea what was normal. Was the man even a shifter? Clovis was sure he had never seen him in the village with the other Shifter kin. Was he putting too much trust in her? Could he afford not to? 


He could feel his blood pressure rising as he tried to make heads or tails of the scene in front of him. Deciding this wasn't doing any good, he approached the garden, intent on confronting them. 


"This does not mean I forgive you, Kan. Only that I refuse to be ruled by hatred." Kyera's words traveled to him before Clovis had been seen. 


Kan looked toward him first, a flash of surprise in his eyes. The guard looked for an escape, as if he had been caught doing something wrong. That did nothing for Clovis's suspicions. Kyera saw him and smiled gently, she seemed happy to see him or was she? 


"Prince Clovis, I am surprised to see you." Kan greeted bowing and Clovis raised an eyebrow. 


"Is there some reason I should not be out here?" Clovis asked folding his arms across his chest. There was an iciness flooding off of him,  making Kyera feel honestly concerned. Her eyes darted up the way he came and she knew he had most likely seen the hug Kan had given her. 


"No I just didn't expect you to come out this far." Kan replied and Kyera wondered if he was intentionally trying to cause trouble. 


"I see, is that why you chose this place to meet with my Wife to Be?" Clovis asked his voice sharp as he regarded both Kyera and Kan. Kan's eyes widened as he realized what the Prince was thinking. 


"Fourth Prince, do you really think Kyera would be interested in a lowly guard when she has a Prince?" Kan asked unable to stop himself from laughing. Kyera could have hit him. 


"Titles never mattered much to her." Clovis pointed out, almost challengingly. It was clear he felt he was being made a fool.


Titles Never Mattered to Her Anyway