Clovis however was preoccupied with the way the word mate made him feel . It was such a primal word for what they were, and yet it felt much better than husband . It felt so much more permanent, that it was soothing . There was no divorce for a mate, it was till death . Their union had been threatened as husband and wife, but no one could take the title of mate from him besides her . She had given it to him, no priest or emperor . By submitting herself to him and allowing him to love her he felt she had given him a priceless gift . Security and stability .
Kyera smiled as she looked back at him, seeing his confidence she almost forgot he was human . He looked so in place… at home in her woodlands traveling with the Wild ones . "What are you thinking?" Kyera asked curiously . He seemed to hear her though he was still lost in thought .
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"About ravishing my mate . " he replied passively, his mind still following the concept of forever . There was silence as Kyera missed a step and stumbled slightly . He then realized what he just said aloud . Hoping he was mistaken and he hadn't just said that aloud, he glanced at her . Her cheeks were a brilliant red as she avoided his eyes . Such a brilliant site, her shy blush was endearing . "I was thinking about how mate means forever . " he tried to explain and move past his thoughtless words . She smiled softly .
"It can mean forever, yes . However it also doesn't mean forever . " Kyera began to explain and his heart dropped . "Some animals mate for a mating period, others mate for life . Shifters are similar . We follow the methods and tendencies of their kindred spirit . " Kyera continued as she led them down the well trodden path . The trees danced with the wind, bright green needles making subtle music for their enjoyment .
"I see . " Clovis tried to hide his disappointment . "Aren't tiger's loners?" he asked with a sudden sinking feeling in his chest .
"No that is honestly a rumor . Tigers hunt alone but often spend time with another tiger . A mated pair may even hunt together if they feel like it but they are life bond mates . " Kyera's words soothed that suddenly uneasy feeling . In all honesty, je was surprised to heat her admit that so coolly and yet blush crimson at his own words .
"Ahh, I see . The tiger is a faithful creature then . " Clovis seemed relieved by his realization no matter how much he tried to hide it from her . Kyera tensed slightly .
Had this been a few months ago, she would have agreed proudly . However, just at the moment, there was a twinge of pain in her heart . She was faithful till she believed him dead . That was the way of the wild . When a mate died young you found another to love as is the way of nature . However for her, he hadn't truly died . Yet when he returned, he attacked her . The love they kindled had become… something else . Could this be called loyalty?
Letting a loved one believe you dead, and attacking her once you return? He was a tiger but there was no loyalty in his actions . Then there was her, stolen away from his side leaving him alone to face the world . A tiger without the one he wanted for a mate? Then she had married within the year she had heard he died… was that loyalty? Kyera knew in truth, it was not . Sometimes life did not allow for loyalty to the heart . Afterall, one must choose between loyalty to one's heart and loyalty to one's people .
The turmoil on her mind reached her face . The complex emotions made for a very sad emotion, likes of which he could not place . The inquiry he wanted to make stopped in his throat . Instead, Clovis reached out and took her hand, firmly . Her eyes met his and he offered a smile . Their fingers were intertwined to the moment they reached the winter portal .
Chapter end
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