"Talis, is this why you got so defensive when you saw me with him? You know I would not needlessly put myself in a situation that would be unsafe or miserable." Kyera chided, trying to side step that question. To be honest, she didn't know how to answer it.
"My dear, That was not what I asked. Do you care about him? Has he expressed care about you? Give me a solid reason to entrust you to his care." Talis replied firmly, his gaze holding hers, not allowing her to escape.
"I can't speak for the Fourth Prince.." Kyera began.
"I can however." Clovis replied, walking out from the doorway. He came to stand beside Kyera, his expression careful.
"Well then, be my guest, Fourth Prince." Talis allowed, obviously surprised to see him here. There were such obvious signs of relief on his face when he had seen Kyera unharmed, that he almost didn't need the clarification. Almost.
"Your Princess, My Lady Kyera has already claimed a significant portion of my affection. Should she choose to place herself in my hands, she will be tended to and cared for as a true Empress and wife. I will defend her just as I defend my Mother, my sister, and my daughter." Clovis reassured him clearly. It was the best way he could come up with to make his feelings known. She mattered to him, very much, but how to word that feeling eluded him.
"I see. Kyera is a warrior and a guardian first. It sounds to me as though you hope to put her on a pedestal. A pretty kitten on a leash." Talis replied and Kyera frowned but Clovis took her hand, squeezing lightly. He had this.
"No, I intend to support the Tigress and provide shelter when she feels tired of weak. Even the best warriors need somewhere they find safe to rest their wearied heads." he replied smoothly. His eyes darting to look at Kyera, a bit sheepishly. That emotion there for only a moment, before it disappeared like a spark in the night. "In all honesty I hope she passes those warrior Princess ideals to my daughter."
"Talis, you know I care about him or I wouldn't have taken that arrow in my palm. Though I will say, at least, for once, it wasn't my shoulder." Kyera pointed out looking at her bandaged hand. Yes wounding her hand sucked, yes it hurt like hell, but at least it wasn't a repeat for her shoulder. Then again...eating would be difficult.
While she was having this internal monolog of pros and cons, the two men shared a glance. Talis was quite confused, but Clovis kinda understood and tried to exclaim. "I am not sure how but she seems to keep injuring her right shoulder. I've noticed her both as Moon and Kyera favoring it." he explained with a bit of a shrug. Talis sighed deeply.
"I know at one point it was my fault. When she saved me from the trap, she collided her shoulder into my ribs. I had broken ribs and knew her damage had to be bad, but being as she was stolen away, I had no way of knowing how bad." Talis explained and Clovis was suddenly curious.
"Kyera never did tell me how she got captured." Clovis hinted and Talis nodded, understandably. It wasn't much of a surprise, she probably didn't like talking about it. Kyera came back from her thought process as Clovis' question dropped a bolder on her carriage of thought.*
"Talis, please. I want you at my side, even with this wedding. I still see you as my brother, will you support my match?" Kyera pushed again. She was worried they would get too far off topic. There was only so long they could stay out before they were missed.
"I give you my blessing Kyera, on the condition I can have a word with your groom to be." Talis replied and Kyera eyed him critically.
"Perhaps we should move to that stage. Kyera has had very little sleep in two days. Its best the both of us get some rest." Clovis added, having noticed the dark circles becoming more prominent. Kyera nodded her agreement, though honestly she just prefered the time those two spent together be brief, at least till she was sure they wouldn't kill each other.
"I will make it quick." Talis agrees.
(Hey everyone, sorry about shortage of chapters. I have caught a virus and been trying to recover. thank you all for reading,
Vali)