binding more than blood

Their pleasantries were oddly swift and to the point for the weight of the meeting that Venom was feeling as the two leaders got started. Manea didn’t have any hesitation in beginning their talks, this meeting needed to happen during the trip regardless. The Empress figured she would at least make the talk on her own terms, even if they were on Manea’s land.

The negotiations could have gone on forever really, Manea immediately asked after Venom’s offer but the Empress wasn’t ready to bring out her final offer quite yet. Her second word to Manea wouldn’t be an offering of her eldest daughter, she would look weak and desperate to gain Manea’s loyalty. She didn’t want the woman to feel like a vassal either, unable to offer a deal good enough to garner the price of blood.

"Forgive my boldness in your home, Manea.” She requested with a small dip of her head as Manea tried to rush through. "Before I answer your question I need to know the inverse. What would the Monarch of Elysium give to be allied with Ashen?” What was it worth to have the backing of Boreas’ most influential pack?

"Venom"