The long road

The shock on his face showed that he hadn't thought that far ahead. No doubt he would be internally having a tantrum and cursing himself. Coming around before him, Io sat on her haunches. Raising her little, white toed paws, she placed one on either side of his face, forcing him gently to meet her green and gold eyes with his blue ones. "Everything will be okay, alright? Deathbelle kissed you. You didn't kiss her." Whether or not he wanted to didn't matter. He hadn't had a chance to say no or turn her down. So it wasn't his fault at all.

"Just tell Zee the truth." She gave a light shrug. She didn't think that her sister in law would hold it against him much, but she might very well be upset with Deathbelle and she had every right to be. Perhaps Iolaire would have a talk with the Empress as well. This sort of behavior and lack of control would cause problems for all of them in the long run.