Word traveled fast about Raina's success. She and her mother were the talk of the town, being as they were both seen as lesser, and yet proved their worth. Kyera as a skilled hunter and a kind woman, and Raina as a little beauty with a dangerous side. It was a huge change from the Forest girl and her motherless child. They demanded respect now… and that went over better than expected in the bars across the land.
Raina didn't care what they were saying, she was enjoying the banquet with her mother and father. They sat together in the late evening light watching people dance and children play in celebration of the Heir games. Kyera was talking with Clovis and Empress Vivian in hushed tones about things he couldn't hear. So, Raina looked out at the throng of people and saw a familiar face.
She was sure she had never met the child before, he had dark hair, like a moonless sky revolting against the sun light's shimmering rays. He was of a decent build and moved with the music, dressed like her mother would… a forest born. However the most striking thing wasn't the way his lips quirked up at the edge, or the smooth paleness if his skin. No, she hardly noticed anything beyond his eyes. Those deep, warm grown pools never left her eyes.
Raina felt the heat rise in her cheeks, it was like he saw through her. Slowly he raised a hand and held it out as if inviting her to the dance floor. Raina hesitated for only a moment, before turning to her father.
"May I go dance?" She asked and Clovis smiled and nodded at her glancing at Talis who was close by. He had refused to go back to bed and Kan had agreed to he his back up if things got messy.
"Keep Talis or ourselves in site. Remember, you must be aware of your surroundings at all times." Clovis reminded her and she smiled at him, speaking the words with him as a testament to how many times she had heard that phrase. It was a remnant of when she only had a father, and no one else existed in their circle of trust. Now though… she smiled at Kyera and gave her a hug.
"Have fun, come back when you are tired." Kyera told her smoothing the Princess's beautiful dress a bit.
"Yes Mommy." Raina agreed before turning to her father. She kissed his cheek and walked onto the dance floor. People were moving, twirling and following intricate steps, and a few were just doing simple versions feeding off their partner's body language. She scanned where he had been but she didn't see him. The boy had moved and she felt her heart flutter a little faster. Something was odd, but then he stepped out of the crowd and offered her a hand. His expression was warm but he had yet to say a word. Raina reached out a tentative hand and then slowly pulled back. A whisper in the shadows distracted her but for a moment.
"Come now, Princess. I won't bite. You may not be their Royal Heir but you are mine." He purred softly. She saw furr, like a silken black mask appear on his face and disappeared just as quickly. He was a jaguar, something she hadn't met before, but knew from Kyera and Daxin's lessons. He was right, she was the shifter Princess, no matter how the people of this city saw her, nor this kingdom. She would always be safe among the Forest Knights. Talis had said so himself, and she trusted him with her life.
The shifter identity soothed her, as she reached for his hand. He smirked and took her hand, leading her in the dance. It wasn't intimate, and the fast motions made Raina giggle as he spun and lifted her by the waist in time with the others around them. Her ruby red dress shined in the sunset like fire as he lifted her. She lost site of her parents in her excitement.
"Let's get you a drink Princess, you are winded." He chuckled at her. Raina smiled and nodded letting him lead her to a vendor with cups and barrels on his cart. She followed him with a smile, panting softly as she tried to gain her air. He offered her a cup and she took the one in his other hand and took a sip. He looked surprised. "You are careful, I appreciate that, Princess." he complimented and Raina smiled looking into her drink, the apple flavor coating her tongue but nothing seemed amiss.
"Mommy taught me well." Raina replied a bit bashfully. He nodded.
"Kyera has always been the pride of the Forest Knights. They are an interesting dynamic but it all revolves around their royals." The young man sighed as he spoke and Raina heard a slight change in his voice. The tense… she caught it. The word glaring her dead in the face.
"You said 'they'." It wasn't a question, and the way his eyes flashed with amusement made her heart quicken. Her hand fell to her waist touching the dagger hidden beneath her dress. He wouldn't know about that. No one did.
"Don't do it, Princess. You might be a match for me but you're surrounded." He purred with a dark smirk. Raina looked terrified, her lips parted and she whimpered softly. He laughed and Raina slowly broke down into a childlike laugh.
"You underestimate me, dear sir." Raina smiled, her own voice a tender purr as she looked at the six who formed a wall around them.
"Oh and how is that?" He asked amused and Raina saw what she needed only a step behind her.
"Because, the Shadows always bring me home." Raina thought of the earring and fell back, the shadows coating her hair, her ears, jaw and finally her face as she allowed herself to be engulfed in their cool embrace.