Kyra took a deep breath before turning out of Zane's arms. "Yes, Nacola?"
"Is that all the respect for the woman who gave you life? For the one that gave you the chance to save our people?" the hawk demanded.
Over her mother's shoulder, Kyra could see Danica plop her face into her hands in exasperation. "Why, yes, that is all the respect I have for you, and do you know why?" She held up a hand to silence the woman when she started to speak. "That was rhetorical. The answer is because you've treated me with contempt for my entire life, because you've made no secret of your attempts to try and keep me from ever flying again, and because you threw me to the snakes with no intention of me being successful at creating this peace. You didn't care that Zane, especially, had the reputation of being a terrifying monster who would kill me as soon as meet my eyes." The eagle reached her hand along the balcony's railing to grasp Zane's. He'd yet to turn around to look at the former monarch, and a quick glance told Kyra why. His eyes hadn't changed back to the round pupils of humans yet due to the anger that was roiling under the surface. A gentle squeeze was all it took for him to look at her lovingly. Kyra's face softened at the expression. "Thankfully, the stories were wrong. I've found a place where I'm odd, but I'm not an outcast. In a way, I am grateful to you, but do not for one second think that I have forgiven you."
"You ungrateful freak," Nacola hissed, sounding more like a snake than even Zane. "You wouldn't even exist if it weren't for me."
"If it weren't for you?!" Zane yelled, whirling around to stare down the woman. "You forced her to hide what she truly is! You barred her from something that is part of her and she is your daughter. How dare you try to pretend that she should be indebted to you for anything? She is already better than you ever were, and you claim to be superior?"
"Zane," Danica's quite voice broke off his rant. "That's enough for now. I think it would be best that we all rest for the night and continue this conversation tomorrow before the two of you return to your people."
Kyra nodded. "I agree. I cannot guarantee that I won't strike you," her scarlet gaze shifted to Nacola's gold, "down before this discussion is finished if we continue like this. Zane, do you concur?"
"Get her out of here," he hissed, eyes never leaving the former monarch.
Nacola, seeming to sense the danger she was in from the dark duo, quickly scurried out of the room with her guard in tow.
"I'll leave you two, then. I apologize for her behavior." Danica said before retreating to her own suite.
Author's Note: Alright, so apparently I lied about getting another chapter out before coming back to school. Things came up and I got distracted. Fortunately, this is still out a lot faster than usual, so woo. Hope you enjoyed it and tell me what you think.