Chapter 47
After that we discussed my hideout, what I would like to do in the future, and if I will continue training. We talked for a while before Ryker barged in.
"You're taking too long talking to her, it's my turn old man." He came over and sat beside me pulling me in for a hug.
"I missed you too Ryker."
Now that Ryker is here, I can give them the hair pieces.
"Wait here for a moment, I have something for you both." I got up excitedly. I walked to my workshop and grabbed the five hair pieces.
I went to father first and added the hairpiece the same way I added Koda's.
"These are hair decorations I made. The river rocks are my favorite color. The paw prints represent our feline beasts. And it's all tied together with my hair, so you can always have a piece of me with you." I smile through my tears as I finish fathers braid. A farewell gift I felt was a little too early to give.
Both Father and Ryker start to cry as well. I will no longer be a part of the family this is all I can do for them.
"I want a piece of each of your hair as well so I can make something for myself so I will always be comforted by these small tokens."
"Of course. Anything for you." Lex promised.
"How are you feeling kitten?" Lyria went over to Ryker to do his hairpiece.
"I'm doing a lot better now than when I first woke up. The bruising is almost all gone and most of the cuts are healed. I'm just waiting for my ribs to finish healing." I demonstrate while looking down and examining myself.
"That's good. Prince Koda even said you had a fever for two days and a night. That worried us the most. Then you didn't wake for days. We couldn't eat or sleep properly. Dad was an even bigger mess." Ryker blurts out. Dad looks ready to smack him. I laugh at their care free behavior. They are only like this when no one else is around and I love these moments the most.
"Do you really like Prince Koda, sis?"
"Yes, I do."
"So you'll really leave with him?"
"Besides my family, he's the only one I trust. He's taken good care of me so far why not let him do it all the time? Besides didn't you trust him a little to take care of me when mom kicked me out?" I bravely questioned Ryker.
"I was thinking he had the power to protect you so no one else could harm you. Those greedy male chiefs were still around and I feared for you in so many ways, the only one I could think of was the Prince. But I didn't want him to take you from us."
"Still, I want to go with him." A dreamy look was seen on her face and her eyes seem to glow brighter.
"I still think you should think about it again, Lyria."
"It's already decided Ryker so drop it."
"Then I'll leave too." Ryker stubbornly says.
"You are my oldest child, I need you here so you can take over my spot one day." Dad tries to speak reason with Ryker but he still seems determined to stay by Lyria's side.
Koda walks in. "Sorry to interrupt but the sun will rise soon." Those words said a lot for the family sitting and enjoying pleasant conversation.
"Bring me out so I can add these to Liam, Pat, and Mal's hair." She looks to her dad who nods.
"Go get the others and meet us at the edge of the clearing. Prince Koda follow so you can bring her back once she's done."
"Yes sir!" They both said simultaneously.
Lex picks up his daughter and they all leave. Ryker takes off to go get his brothers.
"Prince Koda will have to leave in two weeks when we close the entrance to the valley, you will leave with him and he will protect you till you become an adult," Lex informed his daughter. He said it loud enough so Prince Koda could hear giving him permission to take her with him.
"So soon?" She whispers softly.
"You'll be enjoying yourself too much to remember us. There's so much to see and explore. I know you'll love it." Lex tries to comfort and reassure Lyria.
"I know that too, but I'll only be able to see you guys once a year. I just don't know if I'm ready to leave let."
"The head priest will probably take you under his wing and may even persuade you to become his mate. He's not as good as you may think. Things will get bad for you quick. He's already demanding you go back to the temple to recover. This way I will be reassured that your safe and protected from greedy males. That you will have some freedom before you are tied down." Lex held her a little tighter not ready to let his daughter go. But this is the best thing for her right now. Without her family's protection she left vulnerable for others to manipulate and hurt.
"Prince Koda you must promise to protect her with your life and always cherish her." Lex speaks out for Prince Koda to hear but does not turn to him.
"I swear to the gods that I will protect her with my life." He makes a fist, puts it over his heart and bows, making a royal promise. Lex nods slightly in satisfaction. He does not see it but but by hearing he knows what he had done.