The next day saw Kyra waking up to someone lightly shaking her and calling her name with a gentle voice.
"I'm awake." She grumbled, burying her head in her pillow.
"Kyra, we need to get moving, The Disa requested that I was the one to wake you." The voice was male and familiar, but Kyra couldn't quite place it in her half-asleep state.
"I'm awake," she restated as she looked up at her living alarm. "Oh, Zane." She could feel her face heat up slightly when she saw the way his garnet eyes raked down her form; the fact that he was only wearing his slacks didn't help much, either.
"Should I be flattered by that charming blush?" he asked with a small smile as he ran a finger down her cheek.
"Should I be flattered about you eyeing me like you are?" Kyra countered. "So, what's going on?"
"I was pleasantly woken this morning by the Disa telling me to get up right then to come wake you up," he said blandly. "It seems like you are now out of your mother's control, though."
"What do you mean?" she asked as she sat up, covering her nightgown-clad form with the blankets.
"She, your sister, and all of their guards left during the night."
"I should have known. By the way, I need my circlet t back."
"Why? You have nothing to be ashamed of." Zane said genuinely. "And nothing to hide."
"I know that, but I want to keep the ruse for now to test if anyone will try to exploit my weakness."
"As you wish," he sighed. "When we return today, we will be left alone to prepare for the ceremony tomorrow."
"So we will be able to get slightly acquainted then." Kyra nodded. "How are we traveling? I'm fairly sure that they will have taken my horse."
Zane shrugged. "You can ride with me on mine, if you wish."
"Sounds good to me." Kyra shrugged. "We should likely get dressed."
"True. Oh, and I want you to have this." He slid his signet ring off of his left ring finger and handed it to her. It was cool despite having been on his hand. "It will protect you from harm if we get separated somehow once in Serpiente lands. Few would harm one wearing the Cobriana signet."
"Thank you." Kyra said sweetly.
"I will bring your circlet once I am dressed." Zane said softly, turning to leave the room.
"Thank you." Kyra repeated quietly, still trying to process how it felt to be treated like a person instead of a monster.
"Of course," he replied. "As I said before, no harm will come to you if I can help it."