The palaces were alive with whispers and the bustle of preparations for a hunt ball. It was only a day away after all, and the Princesses were home safe and sound. There was so much reason to celebrate, even the announcement of a new royal child to be.
Raina, however, was unconcerned with all these announcements as she dashed through the forest, Talis on her heels. She knew where she was going. Honestly, the child knew she was supposed to be in class but she had no interest in their teaching. She had gotten bored fast.
They were covering the stars and their meanings. This was a subject she found fascinating, the issue was Daxin had covered this months ago. They were not sharing anything new. These men might be the best tudors in the country but they couldn't light a candle to Daxin's teachings. So, after answering the questions on the quiz on her table, she left the lecture. They hadn't stopped her so she went to train.
She had been training with Talis when the dragons passed over head. He had persuaded her to wait a while before seeking her mother out. There would no doubt be a lot for her to deal with when they arrived and Raina agreed she didn't want to overload Mommy. Now however, was a different story. Mommy was sure to be home and that's where Raina was headed, her tiger guard on her heels.
The servants at the Dancing Winds palace bowed as she entered the yard. Raina remembered herself and settled down to a fast walk as she glanced around the yard. No sign of Mommy, so she moved inside. Her father was at the desk in the garden, Raina could see him through the window.
"Daddy, where is Mommy?" Raina asked a bit too impatient to search on her own. Clovis chuckled at her impatience. He was shocked it took this long for his daughter to look for them.
"She is resting in the garden." He replied and Raina walked out the doorway looking around curiously. She spotted Kyera and the worries she hadn't even been aware of melted away.
Kyera was sleeping beautifully in the soft couch in the gardens. She was relaxed against the cushions. Raina snuck over cautiously and tucked the blanket in place around Kyera. The movement resulted in a sleepy tigress partially opening her eyes and yawning. Then, without hesitation, leaning forward, wrapping her arms around Raina and then pulling her back onto the couch.
Raina giggled as she happily snuggled with her mother. "You worried me." Raina accused her softly. She didn't have to be a Princess right now. At the moment, she was just a little girl with grievances against her mother.
"Yes… so I did. However, you impressed me, my little Warrioress." Kyera's voice was soft and sweet as she spoke. Her hand gently combed through the long black strands of Raina's hair.
"Hmm?" Raina looks up at her and Kyera gently guided strands of black hair behind Raina's ear and taped the purple jewel she found there.
"If you were not wearing this, things could have gotten messy. People would have been hurt. As long as My Daughter wears the Amethyst of the Protector there is hope." Kyera whispers kissing the child's forehead as she shifted a bit more awake now.
"Kyera, You haven't slept long." Clovis reminded her but she shook her head.
"I need to see if Kan has returned." Kyera replied wrapping both arms around Raina and hugging her properly. "A Princess's duty…" she looked at Raina who smiled.
"Is never done." The child replied proudly and Kyera chuckled. "Oh and more dragons arrived." She added remembering the site of the three she had seen earlier. Kyera frowned.
"Dragons? Kan took Finra… did the storm twins follow?" She turned to Clovis who pointed out into the gardens. Kyera spotted both Ember and Ivory snuggled under a tree fast asleep. "That's a no. Well, Raina care to go with me to greet our guests?" She asked and Raina nodded standing up obediently. Kyera rose as well.
"Be careful. I am going to continue my work. Remember Raina hasn't met dragons before." He added carefully. The storm twins had kept their distance from the child up until now. She had seen them but only in passing.
"I will take care of her. Don't work too hard." Kyera replied as she took Raina's hand. Talis was sitting by the door waiting. Tigers exchanged wordless glances, and Talis became human at their side.
"I will escort you?" He offers and Kyera nods.