"They could not. They can see the future, they are the keepers of the past and future of our clan. With that knowledge they must not be careless. Think about what they said." Kyera whispered as she brought the tea to her lips but did not drink.
"They said so much and yet nothing at all." Clovis sighed as he settled back into his chair. His mind was whirling through what had been said. All he wanted right now was to hold his wife and daughter safe away from all of this.
"They had a choice to make. Raina or what's to come. What's to come is a death that I can not stop. Finally there is a well meaning traitor in my midst." Kyera listed these things out and swirled the untasted tea in her glass. "The question is why."
"Why warn you if you can not do anything to stop it?" Clovis asked frowning as he looked at Raina who was dancing with her uncle near the stage. Kendrick wasn't taking his eyes off the child unless Talis or Kan had her. Kan however, was resting in tiger form at Kyera's side.
"Because there is something I can stop. A part of the scene that doesn't have to happen. Something that will happen if I try to save everyone fated to die." Kyera replied as the tea touched her lips. The moment the bitter liquid touched her tongue Kyera felt her senses spring to life, she set the cup down and spit the tea out… It was too late. The oil was costing her tongue.
"Kyera whats…" Clovis began to ask.
"Healer… send for a healer." Kyera demanded and he barked an order as Cora materialized near by.
"The tea." Kyera whispered motioning to the glass. Cora snatched it and looked at the oil slick layer. Rubbing it between her fingers to warm it, then sniffing it.
"Its Shining Snare… I am sorry Princess." Cora whispered knowing there was no cure.
"Speak plainly, Cora what's going on?" Clovis demanded as several healers arrived the commotion had drawn the attention of crowd and royals alike. Kyera was beginning to breath heavily. Sweat on her brows.
"Its Shining Snare oil. Beautiful flowers that shine in the daylight, great for tea unless wilted in the moonlight then condensed to oil. It becomes a poison." Cora explained as Half Eye shoved the Healers away. His eyes were determined as he knelt at her side.
"We aren't going to just give up." Half Eye growled as he began hunting things in his robes, pulling herbs and such from the depths of containers and little pouches.
"Kyera… stay with me." Clovis whispered holding her hand and Kyera closed her eyes. His words broke her heart.
"I am not the one in danger, love." She whispered softly. There was a sense of confusion then excitement for the briefest moment as he realized he would not lose Kyera. Then her words set in. Even Half Eye would not meet his gaze as he handed Kyera the tea he had prepared. She drank it dutifully, the bitterness barely registering to her.
"Is there anything we can do?" Eve asked and Kyera smiled weakly as her mother in law took her other hand.
"Nothing more than we already have." Kyera replied with a weak smile.
"Take her back to the palace, get the wet nurses in place. We have beat Shining before. We can beat it again." Eve demanded as the Empress within her took charge. In 50 years in this palace, she had never lost a child. She was not about to start by losing her own grandchild.
"You have no right to order anyone here." Kira growled getting into Evelin's face. Eve's eyes widened as she shoved Kira aside. Kyera saw it as if it was in slow motion. Eve threw herself at the Emperor.
The arrow pierced her side and buried deep in his chest. The screaming pierced the air and the battle began.