Absolution

Welcome to the family, indeed. She'd definitely integrated herself into Ashen. Sister to one alpha, lover to another. It would be more amusing if it wasn't such a difficult situation to be in. She knew that Sirius didn't like that she had begun a relationship with Deathbelle. Things had happened and she felt that they both benefited from the arrangement. There was an honest easiness between the two women that they couldn't be when they were apart.

Iolaire listened as Belle spoke of Hannibal, her jealousy and potential future intentions. The small woman simply nodded. She didn't like it, but she didn't have to. She held no ultimate claim over Deathbelle and would never assume to do so. Just as Belle would never hold ultimate claim over her. They were free to do as they wished outside of their relationship. If Belle wanted to bed Hannibal, she was within her rights to do so. If the Empress became pregnant, however, that would drive a bit of a wedge between them for a time. Despite being a woman herself, Io wasn't very fond of pregnancy. It creeped her out.

Deathbelle admitted almost shyly that any interaction between herself and Hannibal wouldn't detract from their own relationship. "Not much could, I imagine." There were a few things that could. Forming a political marriage. Belle finding love again. Things along those lines. Iolaire wouldn't stop being friends with the woman, but their sexual relationship would end. She believed that they were both adult enough to embrace a friendship without sex, but time would tell. It all came down to that in the end: Time.