She could feel his patience waning the harder she pressed, and it gave her a thrill that she had yet to experience anywhere else. Vanya knew what it was to awaken the wolf inside of Rougaru, and while she had not been on the business end of his jaws often, she had seen what they could do. She didn't intend to push him to the breaking point, but she'd be lying if she claimed she didn't enjoy watching him squirm.

The silver stallion's eyes harden with frustration as Vanya sets the expectation, but he does as she asked… mostly. Her own eyes grow stormy as he places affectionate kisses on the brows of her children, and she recognizes the claim of ownership for what it was. She was not an idiot. Clearly, they had come back to Paradise of their own accord, despite her attempts to turn them away from Rougaru. And yet, they were both hers also, tied by blood that could not be entirely forsaken.

She can feel her lover bristling beside her, going out of his way to undermine her statement… despite the fact that he'd already beckoned them here. He could play nice parent all he wanted, but Vanya knew the truth. Inside, Rougaru was just as conniving as she was. He just hid it behind a veneer of ferocity instead of raw sex appeal.

Again Rougaru insists on claiming a win, when her presence here was just as much of her own making as it was his own. He had tried and failed to extricate her from the Peak, and tried and failed to locate her on the Crossing. It was only when she had placed herself in his path (albeit not entirely intentionally) that he had had any luck, and only because she had offered her claim in return for her position that he had been able to bring her home.

Where she belongs, he intoned and she smiled, a slow and lasvicious grin that left no illusions to how pleased she was with the scenario. As if to offset her pressing of his buttons, Vanya shifted to press the length of her body against him, promising further reward the moment their children retreated. Not even the threat of Monster's disapproval was enough to thwart her joy. The painted viper of Paradise had never truly bothered Vanya before, and she did not expect much of a challenge from her now. Afterall, on the surface, Vanya returning to become queen was something that would make Rougaru happy, and they both wanted that.

Does that about sum it up for you… dearest? He questions, a challenge in his words despite the teasing quality of his tone. Vanya smirks, and reaches forward to straighten his forelock before trailing her lips over his cheek, leaving a kiss planted there before she withdrew. With a tone low enough for him alone, she promised that this would not be the last of it. Monster may have challenged Rougaru in the beginning, and may yet make him work for her affection on occasion, but Vanya had no intention of letting this be easy for him forever. "For now, my King."

Turning her gaze back to her children, the painted ballerina nodded at each in turn, excusing them. She had… business to attend to with their father.

---

Vivienne allowed her lashes to flutter closed as her father placed the kiss on her brow, but she did not take much comfort in the words that he offered. If she was as free to leave as he claimed, then her brother wouldn't be up her behind so often about not making waves in the herd. More than once the precocious girl had attempted to sneak off to one neighbor or another, only to find her way barred by Drogon's pinned ears and bared teeth. It was enough to drive her insane if she didn't have plenty of other subjects to observe within the confines of her home.

As her sire moved to Drogon, Vivi's sharp eyes raise to her mother in appraisal, but she remains quiet. After all, if one had nothing nice to say, it was often better to simply say nothing at all.

---

Drogon remained stone-faced, softening only at Rougaru's touch. A part of him wanted to be happy for them… Rougaru would have Vanya back, and Vanya would have the position she craved, and yet the smoky colt could only see the negatives. Life was much easier without his dam in it, and to have her back meant that he would have to watch his every step again, lest she find a way to twist things to her advantage.

Even now, he can see it happening, if he's reading the tight line of his father's jaw correctly. Clearly this was not the way that Rougaru had intended to break the news to them, and therefore just another of Vanya's powerplays. Irritating, but not surprising. When the news broke, it is Drogon that speaks first, his tone controlled and modulated to resemble a proud son, despite the flinty sheen to his gaze. "Congratulations, mother. It is good to have you back."

He lets the silence drop for a moment to make space for his mother's answer and then inclines his head to Rougaru. "We'll leave the two of you to your celebration then," he murmurs and casts one gaze to his sister, who offered a lazy nod. Glancing up at his father meaningfully, he offered a tight smile. "I'm sure we will speak again soon anyway."