cause you're a teddy beneath

Venom's wriggling began once more, her venomous words bringing a laugh from him as he held her there to him. He allowed himself to look stunned, lifting one paw to his chest as an offended wolf might and dropping his jaw for her benefit. "Me? Traitorous? Never, Empress." A sharp pang cut suddenly at his heart and his smile faultered, though he replaced it as quickly as he could. To Venom he promised loyalty, to Hana he promised freedom. Could he give to each woman what he'd vowed? Az hated feeling like a liar.

The stress was weighing on him hard and his smile became apologetic as he stepped off the princess, allowing her her freedom and ending the game. In the sand he sat looking dejected and thoughtful and feeling his young age clearly. "Venom, what will you do with the armada you've won once you wear your crown?" He asked suddenly, a frown touching his lips. Would she blame him for being protective over the wolves he hoped to one day call his? Without having discussed it before, Az had no idea where the soon-to-be-empress planned to take Ashen's Empire.