The guard stood quietly as Alexi escorted his two guests. Kyera held her husband's hand as they approached the visitors.
Three women stood waiting for them, two Kyera recognized straight off. One was Queen Kira and the other was the woman she remembered as Feya. The woman who smelt slightly familiar and disconcerting.
The third woman however, Kyera had never seen before. She had long deep brown hair that fell in waves down her back. Her curves were encased in the long flowing, deep blue fabric that brought out her overall cool beauty. Kyera was curious almost instantly as to who this woman was, and her answer was offered as the lady in blue wrapped an arm around Alexi's waist. She must be their current host.
"Your other Mother and sister in law were here to remind us of our place, darling." The beauty spoke, clearly trying to cut the crap. Alexi smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Pet, let's remember the difference in your dialect and theirs. Their must be a misunderstanding." Alexi seemed to try and smooth this over on the surface. His wife turned and wrapped her arm around his neck as if she was wronged, he held her close to him.
"I don't see why it's her business that we have family staying with us. Oh Kyera dear… your awake." Those bright green eyes lit on Kyera and she smiled, her emotions changing instantly. Kyera smiled at her a bit nervous, granted her friendly expression reminded her a lot of the Frost Royal's welcome.
"Yes, I am sorry. I was very tired after our journey. I did not intend to cause you so much trouble." Kyera apologized as Alexi's wife took her hands and kisses her cheeks. The similarities between this woman and the royals mixed with her scent made the tension melt away.
"Are you trying to insult me, Sister? I have wanted to meet you after the wedding but I couldn't leave Dryn." She replied with a warm smile and Kyera smiled back. The warmth gushing off her was so refreshing.
"Kyera, this is my wife, Lalia Falcren." Alexi introduced realizing his wife was being overly familiar and yet she hadn't offered her name.
"Oh, Falcren, the Frost lands Merchant family?" Kyera asked with a bit of surprise. She had a lot of similarity to that family line. The warm spicy smell was a dead give away.
"Yes, you know us?" Lalia asked with surprise and a tone that hinted she was impressed. The word that Kyera was a 'forest girl' was starting to sound a bit understated. There was something familiar about her responses to her greeting.
"My mother was a Frost born." Kyera offered and Lalia laughed, a delicate sound like the song of small bells. There was a instant connection that made the brothers smile at one another. Their obvious effort to ignore Kira and Feya was beautiful, the darker their expressions got.
"Ahh then no wonder you feel familiar, a country bond. I love our customs, since you know how I was raised, you know my home is your own." Lalia loops her arm with Kyera and turned to the black faced Queen and her daughter in law who had come to cause mischief. "However it is late and I do not remember you announcing your arrival." Those words pointed clearly at the Queen. It was proper for a runner to go ahead of a royal and warn the recipient of their impending arrival.
"Lalia, you know your Palace is not yours alone. It belongs to the Royal Family and your guest is a bit controversial." Queen Kira reminded her, careful on the subject at hand. Kyera raised an eyebrow as she completely ignored Clovis and Kyera were there.
"Oh? You came to tell me the people of this palace have finally realized you and your family are nothing but a family of dogs biting the backs of the weak and sick? Then why are you darkening my door?" Princess Lalia asked raising a elegant eyebrow, her expression rather stern and disapproving.