Then, they watched it burn. Mercifully, it burned faster than most fires; here in the ash forest. Mere hours turned the pyre and its contents to ash, returned to the earth.
Five tiger spirits sat in a row on the Ashes, a serpent and a wolf beside them. At their back, stood the King of Shadows, his eyes locked on his brilliant daughter.
"Kyera, My child, you saved us all. You saved Moria, and this land. You have awoken as a Goddess, and earner your place in the Shadow court. When you are ready little Goddess, and you have earned the right to come home… if you choose." He spoke clearly, shocking everyone with his words.
Kyera stared at him and her brothers, Kendrick wandering out from the wood line. No one spoke, or dared to breath while Kyera stood, the decision to return to Moria or stay resting on her shoulders. Clovis and the two princes stood at the entrance to the ash forest, watching her. She walked to the King of Shadow's side and smiled softly, she wrapped her arms around his waist and took a deep slow breath. He held her, patient but nervous. He truly wished she would stay, but he could no longer deny his daughter's right to leave this painful existence behind.
"I love you, Dad. Now isn't my time." Kyera replied and the shadows nodded in their agreement even the newest member of tiger clan seemed pleased with her decision.
"Then return to your family, and when the time comes… the doors of Moria will always be open to you." The Shadow King had to hide a brilliant smile as Clovis ran forward and pulled his wife into his arms.
"Your mine damn it. All three of you are." Clovis whispered into her ear and she smiled.
"Yes… we are." Kyera agreed hugging him back.
"Let's go home. Call the storm twins, Crystalsa must be worried." Clovis nuzzled her cheek and Kyera stared at him for a moment.
"But the Forest Gate Kingdom…?" Kyera began and Clovis smiled at her warmly.
"Is no more home to me than Shadow Veil. We, our family belong in the Frostlands and that is where we will return to. Alexi and Damar will rule here together, no more Emperors, just two kings and their Queens." Clovis silenced her argument with the brothers agreement.
"If theres a tie?" She asks knowing how disagreements can be.
"Then I will return to settle the matter as the third King. Otherwise, my place is at home, with you, our son and our daughters." Clovis replied as he set Kyera down and picked up Rosie, and Kyera took back Gale who was reaching for his Mommy.
"Then I suppose we should head home and reunite our family." Kyera smiled at her husband then at the shadows who faded into the tree line. The last tiger cast a look back at her and Clovis holding the children with soft sadness around him.
"Thank You, Verone. I pray you get to dance under the starlight as you wished." Clovid called out to him and the tiger's shadow swept a bow and faded from existence.
Kyera turned and called to the storm twins, who had been awaiting her. Both swooped down and within moments, the family of four were nested on the backs of dragons and home bound.