The Tiger Within Chapter 2

The kiss continued for several moments, his hands held firm above his head . After pulling away, both were panting softly, her eyes smoldering with pride and wild spirit . They shared several long moments, and a soft smile as mischief began to glow in her aura, flowing around her as her internal power flirted with his own .

"Good thing we are going to train today . " She purred sitting up and letting go of his hands, still straddling his waist . He chuckled, amused by her comment a eyebrow raised in question . "That was far to easy, apprentice . "
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"Oh really now? Should we go again?" He asked Growling playfully, allowing his lip to raise showing off the sharp fangs of his top jaw . Having failed at rousing a reaction, he watched as the woman on top of him rose to her feet, extending a hand to help him .

"No, let's save that for the training grounds . We will both need to put in a good day . It's been awhile since either of us have worked up a good sweat . " Kyera's words were not lost on her companion as she pulled Verone to his feet . If they had been, her cheeky little wink had certainly not been . A tortured growl, nearly a whine rumbled from his chest .

He wondered why he had become so smitten with her . A fierce warrior, a strict teacher, but also a sweet woman, teasing lover . She was his perfect match, and yet she had refused to say the words he wished to hear . Nearly two years courting and she still had not agreed to finalize their relations.h.i.+p in the Jungle's way . When would she, he wondered looking up into her eyes lost in those Golden Pools .

"Veron? Are you even listening to me?" She asked crossing her arms and that small part of his brain that had been paying attention sprung into action, instantly forming a paddle to navigate the inevitable creek he had found himself in .

"Yes, You want to go to the northern training ground . I figure that would be best as well . We can trap check on the way, however there is something I would like to discuss with you . " Veron added his eyes suddenly avoiding hers as he walked to the fire and pulled off a small pot . Inside it was a meat wrapped carefully in waxy leaves found plentifully in this area . Kyera chuckled .

He was so cute when he had something to discuss . She could tell from his reaction he didn't want to discuss this . The refusal to meet her eyes was a tale telling sign that she wasn't going to like this conversation and she had a vague idea of why it made him uncomfortable . It had to do with the old Man's pressure again . The weight on Verone's shoulders was almost tangible to her, and something only he could impart on him .

"Veron, what's the old man want this time?" She asked taking the banana leaf parcel from him, dropping down onto the pillows on the floor to lounge lazily, unwrapping it . The meal inside warm and fragrant from its long hours over the fire and filled the air with her skills . Boar meat and wild bird eggs mixed with the spices she had traded for off a human merchant made for a tantalizing breakfast as she waited for him to speak .

"It's been almost 6 months since you last took a look at Talis . . " He began and a sigh escaped from deep inside Kyera . His little brother . Of course it was .

"Kyera, he's nearly 14 and is still too timid to travel in the woods even at the village edge . It's time he starts to find his calling . Even if he isn't ready to train as a warrior, he should at least start getting his jungle legs rather than just the safety of the village" Veron braced himself he could tell by the sensations in the silence she was wording her answer carefully before speaking . At least she was considering her response and not just barking at him as he had half way expected . His father was out of line to demand Kyera begin Talis's training but… at the same time it was embarra.s.sing for a warriors youngest son to be so cowardly .