She chuckled at his response and nodded. "Thank you, old friend. You saved my life yet again." Kyera praised him as the emotions inside her continued to roll. She swung her leg over and slid carefully from the saddle. Walking down his wing; her body wasn't as graceful. This was in large part due to the furs in her arms. That thought stung and she tightened her grip. That moment of inattention caused her to slip.
A pair of strong hands gripped her waist and lifted her down. The cold, bloody king held her waist and Kyera couldn't feel more safe. Mordakai had intended to set her down near him, but the look in her eyes stopped him. He instead pulled her into his arms. He had never seen her so broken hearted before, tear trails on her cheeks. Her arms wrapped tight around the furs in her arms like a security blanket.
"Welcome home, little warrior." He whispered one hand behind her head and the other around her waist. The words defrosted the cold control she had over herself. She was always welcome here. "I should have bloody known. Evil witch What the hell did you do to her?" He growled suddenly furious. Kyera flinched, but his arms tightened holding her close.
"I did nothing. My daughter is too weak to handle the bloodlines of war. Too young for this world. Take her inside." Akira spoke as though she was going to relieve her daughter of an heavy weight.
Kyera turned to look at her mother. "I have done just fine without you, but they were my friends. My tears are not a weakness." Growled Kyera anger on top of the pain now. She had done everything in her power to hold together but her heart was torn and bleeding.
"Being a leader means being prepared to send your friends to die." Akira replied, as though Kyera was an insolent child. "Your tears are an insult to their memories, daughter."
"I want to know why an insolent cat thinks she has the right to claim my daughter as her own." Eve's voice cut through the air like a heated knife. Her anger clear in her tone.
Kyera saw her mother in law and smiled, as Mordakai finally released her. Akira growled whipping to face Eve. Then she laughed, a long cold sound without a hint of merriment.
"Of course, the Mother of the Thief Groom." Akira replied her voice sickly sweet.
"Grace… enough." Called an old, frail voice. Akira's expression shifted as she turned and saw Vivian standing nearby with the assistance of her grand daughter. Vella was holding the older woman's hand with one arm, her other hand on her waist in case she fell. Kyera had never been more happy to see the older woman. She was so close to beating out and challenging her mother that… it would end badly. Her exhaustion compared to Akira's nimble form would do her a disservice.
"Vivi…" Akira turned to her tigress form and raced to her. Vella no longer had to hold her up, as Vivian was able to support herself on Grace's tall back. The tigress seemed content, but Kyera didn't care.
"Get Vivian inside, you need rest Grandmother. Thank you." Kyera called out and Akira did so without question. Her plans could be acted on later.
"What of you, Kyera? You look exhausted. How about we get you fed?" Mordrin asked as he hugged her with one arm. Kyera smiled at him.
"Food would be amazing, thank you. Then… Mordakai… we need to talk." Kyera looked at him and he nodded solemnly. There was much to discuss.
She went inside, and enjoyed a meal, and a couple hours playing with the nephew who was growing beautifully. For a little while she was content, the furs still laying across her lap, close at hand.