There wasn't a lot either of them could do yet - not when it seemed to be a stare-off between them and the predator. They had the numbers though, in a technical sense - but from where Nereus was from, traditions forbid women from fighting.
So when Sylenei lurched forward, shooting out from under him with her lithe frame, Asphodel felt his jaw slacken. A mixture of both awe and shock; disbelief and confusion.
Just who had he taken as his wife? His Queen?
Nevertheless, he couldn't think about how tarnished her image next to his side would be, he could only hope to keep her away from the feline's claws enough so that she wasn't scathed too horribly. Growling in irritation, he felt his own body take off, his eyes hardening as the cat's attention focused on his bride. He saw the opening she had created, but he was also blinded by the disbelief she even knew how to do such a thing - or that she even was. So much so, instead of taking the advantage; he continued on the route of her defense, unable to believe her to fend for herself.
Jaws splayed wide, and he latched himself to the feline's tail, yanking backwards roughly. The cat yowled, and he managed to release his grip as claws came flying for his shoulder. They scathed him, blood drawing fast, but thanks to his speed no hold was taken.
The cat's attention was back on him - and as he began to turn off and create distance, three loud words rang from his lungs. "Women don't fight!"
"Speech."
