"Then there is nothing for either of us to regret . You want to be with me and I want to be with you, regardless of my fathers feelings on the matter . I left for you and to accompany my mother . You have to remember this isn't just you . My father has treated my mother badly for years . It just took us to help my mother stand up against him . " Clovis explained running his hand down her back, trying to sooth those painful muscles . Kyera sighed standing and s.h.i.+fting in the water .

"Then we will take care of her . He may not realize what he has had or what he has lost but you are my family now . All four of you . " Kyera a.s.sured him with a smile . The warmth in Clovis' chest grew as he realized what Kyera meant by that . He smiled softly, this is what it meant for family to be treated as family .

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"Well, it looks like we have made our own rules, huh?" Clovis asked chuckling as Kyera sat next to him letting the water calm her .

"Yes, did you not expect it?" Kyera asked tilting her head slowly to the side . He frowned laying back in the water .

"No, honestly it . . it's different in the palace . The Emperor sets all the rules, regardless of the marriages everything family oriented is decided by the Emperor till he dies, then the next Emperor rules the family . Nothing is left to individual families . " Clovis tried to explain and Kyera shook her head . This didn't really make sense to her .

"Why would that be? I mean there are rules in the Forest and even in Shadow Veil but how a family is run and who they hold dear is left to the family themselves, mother, father and children . Grandfather's and Grandmothers words are taken seriously but they do not make the decisions unilaterally . Like what just happened with our wedding . Unless you dismiss the wedding before you bed me, we are considered married in the eyes of the Forest and Shadow Vale . " Kyera explained as she stretched in the water . Her cat like grace amplified by the gentle swirls and swooshes in the water . Such delicate movements, and yet they released so much pain . The pair walked together in the water as they talked .

Kyera led Clovis a good ways away from from the camp, so they could continue to speak alone . The little pond that river fed was just deep enough for Kyera's jaw to become wet . Clovis followed her to the river bank, where the water was shallowest .

Weeping willows draped down beside the water, a large tree's branches danced mere inches from the water's surface, giving them a beautiful view of the world from within their own little coc.o.o.n . Shadows danced beneath the leaves, welcoming to them both . Kyera couldn't help but smile as she laid under that tree in the water . Clovis decided to continue speaking here, in the seclusion of their little haven .

"You were raised much differently than I was . I hope for Raina to learn your ways . I want our children to be happy . I have learned the Harem way of life ruins any chance of that . " Clovis dropped that surprise on her lap and she turned to face him .

"Are you suggesting I be your only wife?" Kyera asked, keeping her tone carefully neutral . She didn't want her feelings to influence his decision . He smiled and turned on his side . Her breath caught .

The moonlight played off the thin layer of water over his skin . His abs, chest, and shoulders enhanced by the s.h.i.+ne on his muscles . There was a certain majestic beauty to the way his features seemed to glow . Soft and strong like the ocean's current . Then again there was the stark contrast of fire in his eyes . The way his lips parted, just enough to tease her with the temptation to taste them .