There is a quiet moment in which Aithne's eyes settle on the child nursing from Raven, when the chill night air slips and mingles between Malum and Aithne and the blessing and curse that has just happened. Aithne was not sure really how Raven would react once the child was born. In fact she was almost surprised that the child was still alive because wouldn't Aithne have hated such a thing if it had come from her own rape? She was a changed wolf now, years and years had come and gone. Life had a funny way of changing ones perspective and in this moment Raven feels only anguish and sorrow and pain. Broken and shattered but one day she would be put back together - Aithne just worries what it will take to do that. So she waits, tensing only as the sound of another racing towards them draws her attention and fur rises in a split second.

But it is only Starfall with an almost panicked expression of rage on his face that cools the moment they see one another and he slows, bringing his own gift before Raven's den and dipping his head to Aithne. She likes him for he brings out a more happy side of her Consul. Would it be a terrible thing if she were to try and convince him to stay and take up a post here in Iromar? It seemed he was here quite often and Aithne wanted to keep him around not only for his respectfulness but also for Raven's happiness.

She is blocking the entrance and before she can move out of the way Starfall has turned and settled himself to be the lookout. As her gaze slips back to Raven she notes the sudden forlorn expression on her face before Raven admits her feelings. A sigh, so soft, is released. "She was not the one to cause this even if she is the product of it," Aithne says quietly, trying to think as she talks so she does not say the wrong thing. "I know now that you do not love her but perhaps in time you will. She is an innocent. I will help you care for her the best way I can, the best way we all can, Raven, and when she grows older she will say that her mother took care of her. Even if you still do not love her, even if you still think she is a curse." And then with a sad sort of smile she pulls back from the entrance, nodding to Malum and glancing at Starfall in a meaningful way - as in GET IN THERE BOY! - she moves to seat herself beside the den, a guardian.

Seven - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne