A lengthy amount of time had passed since Tesseract had fallen and Eden had risen to power. The strange male still held an aura of mystery for he had not taken any into his confidence that she had heard about. No mate, no love, not even an ally. All the kingdoms remained separate from him for the time being, although Aithne had not been over quick to try and flush the rabbit out of hiding. Whatever secrets he held were his own to keep for now, she was content with the marsh land, preferring the solitude it gave her. Iromar could be a beautiful place at times, the moors offering splendid views when the rains didn't come in and the area become bogged against the acidic soil. Everything she needed was here - her mate, her pack, and soon, her children. Although that was up for debate on whether it was something she truly wanted because her mind was in a state of moodiness, stuck between the idea of weak, whiny children, and strong, independent ones. It was a fruitless endeavor to consider what they would be but imagining it was part of her discontent.

Aithne did not miss the way his body tilted in a certain direction. The lame leg from his fight remained with him. It was an unfortunate part of age and battle and thrown together never boded well. Commenting on it would be considered rude and he was no less than a fallen King - it was certain he already loathed it without it being acknowledged. She is somewhat surprised at his grin and bow for he had been somewhat remote and standoffish on their initial meeting yet she could forgive him that. He had lost everything, then, and been in a considerable amount of pain. In truth they were still strangers, bound only by the ties of family, a tie that she realized Tesseract likely did not know yet. It is that thought which guides her own lips to twist into a sardonic smile at his grin, somewhat eager to pass along the knowledge that his own son had become an Emperor.

"I would say your son and daughter agree it is too long. He has missed you, you know? But he is Emperor now and has much to keep his mind occupied." This is said with a pleased, wicked sort of grin on her face, eyes fixated on him to gauge his reaction. There should be pride there, she decides, even if Praetor was Emperor because she was Empress. Semantics never mattered - if he had never been truly strong enough for the title Aithne never would have given it to him.

The way he seemed to gasp inward drew her attention, her ears flicking back as if she assumes he is upset at Praetor's choice of mate. It is nothing logical, merely pregnancy hormones that make her glare at him until he grins, her line of her scowl smoothing out to a bewildered look. Everyone was so happy about pups and she felt as if she was missing the point. That wasn't to say she wasn't excited but... well, she wasn't, really, because nervousness ate at her. When he began to speak she instinctively leaned towards him, alert and trying to memorize what he was saying. Except that it didn't make a lick of sense. Her brow furrowed and a small scowl returned. "That doesn't make any sense," she huffs, unable to contain her thought, and she wondered if Tesseract was messing around with her. "Too close but also far, do everything and nothing, what does that even mean?"

"I hope he knows what he is doing, because I do not," she grouses, glaring at the ground and feeling rather annoyed with the world. It was rude of her to speak thus to her father-in-law but she cannot help it, blunt creature that she is. Are you.. sure? Her head snaps up and she catches him staring at her side. "Of course I'm sure, why else would I be hungry constantly and want to bite a stick for no reason? Not to mention that creating them.." she trails off abruptly, clearing her throat and looking around as if a new thought has occurred to her but honestly she just didn't want to get caught almost talking of mating with Tesseract. "Anyways, I haven't a clue how many there will be yet. Too early to tell I think. Hopefully not alot." Could you imagine, a WHOLE LITTER?

Seven - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne