I will always find you, it's in my blood

Her quiet acceptance affected him more then anger would have. Despite the expression she turned to him, he could see something of the child she had been. That one that had lost her father, and the young adult that had lost her mate. But she was so much more then that. She was the vipress, strong and sure who had dethroned her mother to turn the Empire into something stronger. She was many things. Hurt, and brave and strong. She was his child, not of his blood but of his heart. Empress to a throne he would have died for.

He settled his rump more firmly on the ground and considered for a moment. It wasn't as good an option as keeping the Armada here. If he wasn't utterly set on the idea that the Armada needed this… but perhaps he could send her support in another way. So she knew he was with her still. Moving, but not abandoning her. "I will give Kotori a few weeks to settle his belonging, and then send him back here to stay with you for the rest of the season. Your personal body guard." Yes. That felt right. If things had been different, that would have been the job of one of his children anyway. Ko was ambitious and strong. If he told the boy to defend Venom with his life, he would. It felt right. Besides… Kotori owed him a fistful of favors.