"I wondered how long it would take the Princessa of the Shadows to realize it." Kendrick smirked teasingly and kissed her forehead.
"Mommy?" A little voice asked and Kyera turned and picked her up holding her close despite the fact shes drenched. The little one hugged her mother's neck tears falling down her cheeks. "I knew you would come." She whispered and Kyera nodded.
"Always, baby girl. Always. Now, I need to introduce you to someone." Kyera told her gently. She turned to Kendrick and smiled. Her elder brother smiled and turned his attention to the little girl. "Raina this is my Elder Brother, Kendrick. Brother, this is your niece, Raina."
Kendrick smiled and bowed to them. "It's my pleasure, Princesses." He smiled and kissed Raina's hand. The little one giggled and smiled.
"Now, we need to get back. Your Daddy is worried sick." Kyera sighed deeply "Ping, go on ahead. Let him know I have Raina. Also the other shadow soldiers, send them to ensure the other children are safe."
"Don't worry about it, Kyera. I was able to stop the assassins before they reached the gate. The only ones from the inside dispatched were these four, to steal your daughter." Kendrick explained with a somewhat playful tone. It was obvious he didn't really regret what he had done and it even seemed as though he had fun.
"Thank you, how long have you been back?" Kyera asked curiously and he winked at her.
"Couple hours. It's just me though or I would have made it before they got Raina." He explained and held back a branch so Kyera and the child could slip past it.
"Wait… for how long?" Kyera asked as the nagging feeling she felt when he arrived amplified to a warning howl in her mind. He shot her a grin, telling her she already knew without a word. Her eyes grew wide as she realized what that look meant. There was only one way he could have returned to her like this. "You gave up your chance to be reborn."
"Kyera, we could all be born together only once. You and I… we were a team when we were little and I left you. It wasn't by choice, but you need me. You need me now, not in 90 plus years when you pass on." Kendrick replied, his tone left no room for discussion. Kyera smiled softly and he patted her back.
"I wanted you to live your own life." Kyera whispered feeling guilty that he returned just for her.
"Yea, well I wanted to come back, and it's my life to live, Ky Cat." He reminded her as they crossed a log. Kyera slipped, trying to balance her pregnant body, and Raina across the log didn't go as well as she hoped. He sighed.
"Let me carry Raina, you ran quite a ways." He offered turning his back to Kyera. Raina didn't really want to go, but knew she wash heavy on Mommy. So, she let her uncle settle her onto his back, his arms wrapped around her little legs. Her nighty was easy enough to arrange around her.
"How did you find her, Kendeick?" Kyera asked, "For that matter how did you know who she was?" Kyera asked as he turned to help her off the other end of the log. She used his shoulder to step down.
"Well, she smelled like you, and was warning them her mother was a Warrioress and was going to give them a thrashing they would never forget." Kendrick replied chuckling. "I know none of the Princesses here have the ability to raise such a spunky kid. Not to mention, she responded very well when I changed shape."