The Delayed Welcome Home

Kyera laid back on the couch, ignoring the fire going back and forth between them about the queen and her daughter in law. Somethings that Feya had said stuck in her mind, mixed with her scent, Kyera looked at Clovis.

He was focused on his grandmother and the tiger he didn't recognize on the floor. Clovis had no idea his wife was slowly piecing together his past, and the truth about little Raina. If he did, he would be sweating bullets, but she chose to stay silent. A person's natural musk was something that often blended with their child, and the spices in Raina were the same as that woman. There was no mistake.

This thought was punctuated by another pain in her stomach, but since she was distracted she didn't manage to stop herself from gasping. Kyera was noticing that her tension seemed to be a large part of the unrest.

"You two move, give her some space so I can work." A woman demanded, despite the fact she was talking to the Reigning Empress and the Fourth Price. Clovis moved without question, and took Empress Vivian's arm, moving her as well. Kan looked up at her and tilted his head, Cora looked at him and raised a brow.

"Okay I will check on the baby but, Ky I missed something big so it seems." Cora looked at Kyera with an eyebrow raised. She was the same simple serpent she had always been. Unencumbered by the required respects of a royal. She simply didn't care.

"I will explain." Kyera reassured her as Cora began gently pressing and moving her hands over the baby. Silence had become heavy, and tangible, as if everyone was pressing their auras into a sheet of noiseless tension. Everyone except for Kyera could feel it. The clear aura wall was like a protective shield curving around her, blocking the negativity without much effort. Kan's tail twitched lazily.

"The baby is fine." With those words the tension seemed to break and disperse but the wall was firmly in place. "Kyera's stress and tension put a little discomfort on the baby making it move more and flip her stomach. Your womb is strong Kyera, but your aura is still wounded. Please try to channel your emotions."

"I would feel better if she got looked over by the Royal physician as well." Empress Vivian suggested and Cora looked at her. There was a spark in the younger women's eyes.

"That's fine, but he doesn't lay a finger on her without me here." Cora replied, her voice even and calm… or at least as calm a firey temper could be.

"I assure you, our physicians are good with this sort of medicine. They are also secretive about their methods." The Empress Vivian tried to explain. Cora laughed.

"No offense, Empress but a healer afraid to show another their process is a healer whose hiding dirty deeds." Cora snorted, knowing how things worked in her world. The Empress's expression spoke clearly that she took offense.

"I must agree with Cora, I will not have this baby become a casualty of your bloody harem war." Lalia replied, backing the serpent with a rather pretty smile. Empress Vivian's eyes widened as Clovis and Alexi stared at this brazen young Cobra. Kyera sighed and grabbed Cora's hand.

"Cora…" Kyera whispered the word a soft reminder. She didn't want to cause trouble for Lalia as well. The girl looked back at her and sighed bowing her head slightly, though it took a lot of effort.

"I am sorry, Empress Vivian. I am simply protective of my charge. I should not have spoken to you like that." Cora spoke carefully, but did not apologize for the words themselves. She knew her tone had been sharp, but the words were unyielding.

"It is quite alright. I was just a bit surprised. Having people speak frankly is a breath of fresh air to be honest. Your passion for your job is clear. I will leave my Great grandchild and the mother in your care." Empress Vivian replied soothingly. There was a sense of respect in her voice, mixed with the exhaustion of the past few months.

"Empress, may I ask why you have graced us with your presence?" Alexi asked trying to guide the conversation away from the current tension.

"I heard Clovis and Kyera had returned but been turned away at the gate. I came to apologize for the insolence of the guard and Welcome you home." Empress Vivian replied offering a warm smile to both Clovis and Kyera. "Both Fourth Prince and our Fourth Princesses."

"We are honored to be welcome." Clovis replied formally and Kyera smiled sitting up a bit. The child seemed to have settled down a bit.