The Tiger Within 366 Predatorial Smile

"Clovis, I am not quite sure what you mean." Kyera admitted taking a step closer to him.

"I am your husband. As such, you are entitled to my world as I am of yours. The problem is I feel I have been completely open about mine and you have slowly let me into your own. There is so much I don't know." he replied looking away a bit, the frustration building in his eyes was slowly turning to something else as layers were ripped away. He was getting closer and closer to baring his soul.

"I see… does it matter? Who I was or what I come from?" Kyera asked honestly trying to probe deeper. The look on his face… she wanted to know what he was thinking. Kyera wanted to know all of him, so she could prevent him from feeling this way again. Clovis sighed turning away from her to look out the window in the hallway, his back to her and his forearm braced against the wall as he looked out at the village below.

"No… it doesn't matter enough to change anything, but…" he sighed deeply still focusing on the land below. "If it was a few months ago, looking out this window I would have marveled at the beauty of the buildings and the landscape. I would have wondered what curiosities lived in the spaces between houses and explored this palace with enthusiasm. " he whispered trying to explain. He was fumbling for words as he glanced back at her then out the window again. "Now, however I see shadows and ghosts hiding between those houses. People and creatures in this palace that at any given moment could snatch you away. There are so many powerful men, your kind and otherwise and incredibly powerful women who would marry or rescue you in a moment's time. You didn't have to marry me and hardly need to stay as my bride. If whatever you left, whatever love and passion hides in the shadows returns I could lose you. Its unsettling to realize that… no matter how hard I try I can't defend you or keep you safe because in the end… I don't know what is your friend or your foe. Its stifling." Clovis admitted. His voice was a bit tight as he spoke, a mix of frustration a honest fear.

He had no idea when he had got to this point. The point where losing her would be a devastation to rival that of his first two loves combined. When had his life come to mean a family of three, not two? He didn't know, but he couldn't deny it any longer. She mattered to him.

Kyera felt tears well in her own eyes, walking forward she wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her cheek to his back. She held him, letting her warmth and care sink through his clothing and into his heart. He lowered his arm to rest gently on hers, holding her hand in his.

"Then… no more secrets. We should speak." Kyera replied quietly. There was a sense of uncertainty to her voice but also resolve.

"Only if you want." he replied suddenly realizing how pushy he sounded. Yet his wife didn't seem to mind.

"We are married and it's time I take down that wall. Come inside, let's take the night together and talk. I want to tell you everything… even if it might be a bit hard to handle." Kyera explained softly and led him inside.

The room was beautiful and simply astonishing. The furniture was all of warm woods and the floor had rugs of animal hide. It was warm despite the outdoor chill.  Kyera settled into a rocking chair by the fire, while clovis sat in a loveseat across from her.

"Alright… what do you want to know?" Kyera asked honestly figuring to start there. Clovis smiled.

"You." Clovis replied simply and Kyera smiled.

"A lot of that you will have to learn as I do. However I will give you my past… or at least the important bits. Fair enough?" Kyera offered raising an eyebrow. He shook his head.

"No. Everything about you is important." he replied shocking her out of words. Kyera stared at him for a long moment blinking slowly as she processed this.

"As you wish." Kyera sighed and turned to grab a glass and water pitcher off the table. He took it from her.

"I will handle your water. You speak." he replied a touch impatiently and Kyera smiled. This was a new side of him… one she hadn't met before and it intrigued her. She smiled figuring it was best not to tease him further.

"Shall I start at the beginning or when we met and work backward?" she asked and earned herself a death glare. He obviously felt she was stalling. She offered a sweet predatorial smile and was shocked when he returned it with a nearly wicked grin. His eyes were filled with love but there was mischief that set her heart racing.

"Keep stalling, little wife and teasing your hubby. Just remember your hubby has no problems teasing his little kitten till she screams." he warned her and Kyera's cheeks turned bright read at the bluntly seductive note in his voice. His eyes were like a hungry wolf ready to devour her whole if she continued to tease him. Kyera took a sip of the water to clear some of the burning heat in her face.

Chapter end