The candles were lit in the study, the flames Dancing off the steel of the weapons and armory that hung from the walls. The desk was piled with neat documents, and most of them were already signed or at least read through. Mordakai sat behind his desk, going through the last few pages while waiting for Kyera to finish greeting Daxin and her knights.
The softest knock on the door alerted him to her presence. In truth, she could have just strolled in, the doorway stood open and he was expecting her. Then again, that wasn't her style. Kyera, even as a child had been exceedingly polite.
"Come in, Kyera." Mordakai greeted her with a rather gentle smile, his voice as deep and soothing as ever. She strolled in, dressed in one of Vella's evening dresses, warm and made to suit family evenings. The soft pink hues were not Kyera's style but brought out the child he remembered in her. The sweet, shy little girl who had just lost her confidence. Now, in her place stood a woman who glowed with purpose. He knew the look in those deep golden eyes, like molten gold.
"Thank you, Mordakai. I need your counsel." Kyera stood in front of his desk and he waved a hand for her to sit down in the left hand chair. She lowered herself into it.
"You want to know if this is a war worth fighting or if it's nothing but a bid for revenge." Mordakai wagered as he poured a glass of wine and handed it to his God Daughter. She took it, for the first time in her life, she took a deep swig with him.
"I feel it burning in me, Mordekai. I want to make them pay. Her for attacking our people, ruining the peace we had and the little we had gained. I want to make him pay for it all." She admitted finishing the glass and he raised a brow pouring her another drink.
"All of what, Kyera?" Mordakai asked, withholding his opinion as he set the bottle down. She laughed softly but it was a sad sound.
"Betraying his people. Killing people who thought of him as friends. Letting that… creature wear their skins. He turned his back on our law, our God, our way of life and for what? Because I was taken from him? I deserve to be punished and I will, by the Gods above I will submit to my punishment but not until he is unable to hurt my people anymore." Kyera growled as she sipped the wine finding it stronger this time. Her throat burned from the fiery liquid, scorching down to her belly.
"Oh?" Mordakai's interest was suddenly peaked. "Why do you feel you should be punished?" He asked glancing up at her and leaning back in his chair. Kyera finished her glass and set it down. Her head lowered as she stared at her hands.
"I left them. I sentenced my people to die and suffer in a palace that I knew would never be safe for them. I should have never been caught. I should have fought to come home instead… instead I should have begged you to help me. To get me out of there and back to my people. Maybe he… he wouldn't have turned on them. Instead I stayed, I dared to marry and bare a child while my people struggled to survive." Kyera's words poured from her mouth. Every sentence became more and more emotional.
"Why? You made those sacrifices to protect them from the humans. You did what was right." Mordakai challenged her, his eyes appraising her… waiting. She was at her edge the alcohol was seeping deeper into her.
"I know that. I didn't want any of this but I had to… I wanted him. I wanted my people. Why… damn it." She rambled and her nails dug into her palms In two deep furrows.
"Then why should you be punished?" Demanded Mordakai, challenging her with a growl. His warrior countenance full force as he made this demand of her. The tiger's ears laid back in her soul as the truth sprang from her lips.
"Because I'm happy. I love him, I love my children, and I love my new life. I'm happy while my people suffer." Kyera all but screamed back at him and Mordakai's expression gentle as he tossed back his drink. The tears in her eyes poured down spattering her neck and hands.
"Kyera, in my opinion, the only person you are trying to take revenge on, is yourself." Mordakai replied standing up. He patted her on the shoulder and left; pulling the study door closed behind him. Once they were closed he leaned against the door for a moment and let her words sink in. That child had the world on her shoulders… yet there were some who could help her.