The Tiger Within 392 A Request For Memory Sake Part 2

"The ritual isn't about being the only one happy, it's about hearts meeting hearts in the depths of the darkness. Why should my wedding be any different? I want to be wed among my people, with my life mate." Kyera replied, turning to take Clovis's hand as he sat on the chair behind her.

"That is true, then I agree, but on one condition." She replies sitting a little straighter. "I want you to perform your grandmother's song, Forest Winds for the new generation. It has been too long since it was performed by a royal of her blood." Crystalsa countered and Kyera fell silent. Her eyes focused on the matriarch for a long moment…

Kyera looked down at her hands fidgeting slightly. She knew what she had to say, but couldn't bring herself to. The Matriarch took her necklace out of her gown, opening the locket, she removed a small orb glowing purple. Leaning down, she set the orb in Kyera's hand. She knew what it was instantly, the shadow magic blended with it and swirled around her hand. Kyera looked up at Crystalsa like a child lost in shock and surprise.

"I made this long ago, from a shard of a shadow orb your mother left behind. I was able to channel my memory of Fantasy dancing for me one night. I hope it's enough to teach you the dance." Crystalsa offered, though in all honesty the dance was not the point, the point was in the orb itself. Sharing Fantasy's memory with her granddaughter was more important.

Kyera took off her ear pendant and gently rubbed it against the furrs to clean it. She placed the mall crystal in a slot in the metal. The metal formed around the ball and Kyera put the earring back on. Unlike her father who could enlarge and read these at will, the earing was her only method to see what it held.

A image sprang to mind as she rested her head on her Grandest Mother's lap. It was a garden, spring in full bloom. The sound of upbeat music, a song she hardly remembered but the melody she knew. There was a small stage and on it, was a woman.

Tall, willow slim and water soft she stood poised, her dress flowing around her like starlight, s.h.i.+mmering silver. Hints of green and brown hidden in the folds of the dress. A long strip of green cloth in her hands, a beautiful silken strand. Kyera watched as the woman lifted her eyes, the song became faster as her body moved to it. Her shoulders first, then her hips gently swaying to the music. Then she looked up, her eyes meeting Kyera's Squarely. She couldn't break eye contact from those golden eyes, just as deep as her own. t

The woman spun, the cloth danced in her hands as she used it like a streamer. Every move she made accented by the elegant and natural dance of the ribbon.

Fantasy. The word jumped unbidden to her mind as she realized it felt like a fantasy. Elegant, beautiful and the story within the dance of the wonder of the forest fae. She felt trapped till the song ended, Fantasy lowered to her knees and bowed her head before lifting her chin, giving her a c.o.c.ky smile and mouthing at her. 'I love you' Kyera read the words on her grandmother's lips clearly. For a half second she almost believed those words were meant for her, but then the orb deactivated. The memory complete. She remembered Fantasy died when Kyera had only been a few months old, a year at most. She had no memories of the women outside paintings.

"She was a beautiful dancer, just as you are, and a dedicated Forest Princess just as you are, Kyera." The Matriarch whispered seeing the look in Kyera's eyes as she came out of the trance. Kyera hugged her grandmother close.

"I agree to your terms. I love you Grandest Mother, so much." She whispered into her ear and the elder hugged her back.

"And I you, my little lost cub… I love you too my girl, my little Fantasy." Crystalsa whispered back while Clovis sat quietly to the side, unwilling to intrude on their moment.