The royals took their seats again and Kan stepped back into the shadows. Tea was served and was poured for them while everyone digested what had happened.
"We should discuss the games. I noticed that Kyera did not have any kills from the hunt. Unfortunately this will disqualify her from performing at the dance." Queen Kira pointed out as she stirred her tea with a silver spoon. Kyera looked over at them and realization hit her. Where was her trunk? There was no way Sansor forgot to load her trunk.
"That isn't true. I had quite a few kills, my trunk should have been unloaded with the others. Perhaps it's still in the carriage?" Kyera asked feeling a prickle in her heart. There was something that didn't feel right. The guard and servants at Frost Land were so efficient… they wouldn't have missed a trunk.
"No, I checked the cold carriage. It was empty." Bastil replied and Kan frowned leaving the room. She was starting to feel the pressure of being out of her safety zone.
"Kyera did well during the hunt. We all saw her kills after the bears." Lalia pointed out as she realized what was going on.
"That doesn't matter. According to the rules she must present her kills to be cooked for the feast." Damar spoke softly and sighed as if it hurt him to say so. He flinched as Melania opened up to speak.
"He is right… the rules are clear. Is there any way we can send for the forgotten trunk?" Melania asked carefully. They had both spent their lives protecting the law… it couldn't be forsaken now. That would open doors they were not willing to unlock.
"I am afraid the cooks are already busy with their tasks. If the meat arrived she would have to cook it herself before the ball. Same as a Princess returning late from the hunt." Empress Vivian replied, sipping her tea thoughtfully. There was no true reason to disqualify her.
"I will do what I can do." Kyera agreed, knowing this was the best outcome. "I will go retrieve the trunk."
Clovis frowned. "No. It isn't good for you or the baby to travel again so soon. I have ridden Ivory before, I am sure she won't mind giving me another ride." He replied, tone both gentle and protective.
"You would have to ask her, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind. However, is that allowed?" Kyera turned to Damar and Vivian curious as to who would answer. She was making it clear she would submit to their law.
"Yes. As long as you send him to gather them or your guard escorts the trunk your kill will count." Empress Vivian agreed offering a smile. If Kyera had ignored the law, or demanded perhaps she would have argued. The laws still fell to her lap in the end and there was no law against it.
"Thank you, Empress Vivian. I will send for the chest." Kyera replied bowing low, but she could feel the eyes on her. The disapproval of the shifters in the shadows. It was the first time she felt this so strongly. She sighed and turned for the door, leaving the tension far behind.
Outside a page waited, and instantly scampered up to Kyera. He was perhaps 10 years old at most. She offered the child a smile.
"Sir Kan asked me to let you know he was 'handling the hunt matter'." He told her and Kyera shook her head slowly.
"Alright, thank you little one." Kyera turned and looked at Clovis beside her. He smiled and leaned down kissing her forehead lightly.
"Let's get you some sleep before you have to cook. The ball was delayed till tomorrow night thanks to the Sand Storms." Clovis explained as he guided her down toward the Dancing Winds Palace gate. Just beyond she noticed someone starting to walk away from the gates. Long dark hair and a familiar form. Surprise filled her eyes as the two women came face to face outside the palace.
The wind swirled between them as Mally looked at Kyera. The pair had not stood face to face since the day Mally had broken Kyera's heart. Emotions had been shared through that single sheet of paper, but there had been so little actually said between their hearts.
"Kyera I…" Mally tried to begin but her words fell short. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the ground embarrassed and tense. What could she say to make up for all those knives she had driven into Kyera's heart? She had said things that deliberately hurt before she knew the truth.
Warm arms wrapped around Mally and pulled her into an embrace. Instinct took over before the shock could, and she hugged Kyera back. The pair shared a long moment in silence. "I'm so sorry, Mally. I never should have left things like that." Kyera whispered softly.
"It was my fault. I should have known you better. I'm so sorry Ky. I didn't know…" Mally tried to speak clearly but her words ran together in her haste. Tears and emotions started blurring together as she tried to explain herself, but the power of her aura was saying more than her words ever could.
"Mally, it wasn't your fault. No one knew what was going on. You were hurt, so was I and now we have both been betrayed once again." Kyera replied leaning back and gently wiping the tears from Mally's face. She smiled softly. "We are sisters, no matter what happened."
"Always." Mally agreed. "Did… Did you see him?" Mally asked, her voice was a bit timid as she asked. There was a note of emotion in her voice that made it clear she was uneasy asking.
"Yea… I saw him." Kyera replied pulling away from Mally. CLovis had to restrain the want to wrap Kyera in his arms and protect her from those memories.
"What happened? Did he explain what he is doing?" She asked grabbing Kyera's hands. Kyera continued to look down. There was a subtle pained aura seeping from her heart.
"Mally, He attacked me." Kyera replied tensing as she felt Mally freeze.