Being a Queen was not quite as exhausting as I had anticipated it would be. From what I had been trained for I expected quite a bit of action in the first stint but oddly there was.. nothing. Complete, dead silence. I got to spend the first part of my relationship with Halcyon in peace as we both began to settle into our new roles as mates. It wasn't a smooth transition for I was still very much young and awkward, despite my bravado, but Halcyon was thrilled with my acceptance and I was content knowing that he was now completely mine. Despite the realization, suddenly, that he had an imprint and she lived HERE. But to be completely honest I wasn't sure I wanted to figure out who she was or even yet meet her. The very thought of Halcyon with another female made my eyes burn and my hackles rise.

But I shouldn't think about it just now, for I was busy traipsing through the vast lands of Asteraia, attempting to familiarize myself with each nook and cranny. It was starkly different than Iromar and I found myself missing the boggy swampland and the lush moors. I had known it like my heart, had felt it beating there, and I felt a bit of homesickness sneak in. Because of it, I stopped at a small knoll to sit down and stare out at the horizon, wondering if perhaps my parents were looking down on me now. If they were disappointed in me for giving up what they had fought for.

Despite my misgivings, I was distracted by a dark figure moving across the plains. My ears pricked up and I study her, realizing suddenly who she is. Then I am off at a limber lope with an easy grin etching across my face, pushing back my other thoughts, and coming to halt near her with my tail wagging. "Jinx! So this is where you've been!" She had been older than me and I had barely gotten a chance to meet and know her before she had disappeared from Iromar, but I remember my mother speaking of her fondly. She was the daughter of Raven, one of Aithne's greatest of allies. I frown suddenly, brows down, as I wonder if she remembers me. "I'm Aster, my mom was Aithne if you don't remember," I rush out, just in case, you know, she forgot about me.

Can't have that happening!