Lover's Eyes
01-28-2015, 11:20 AM
Save for the warmth and adoration that glowed within her cool blue stare, her stance and expression were largely unreadable. Everything had changed, and so suddenly; the strong woman found her heart aching for Jupiter, for the loss of a woman she had only barely grown to know, but who had always reminded her of a time she knew she could never return to. What would she do now, with what Jupiter had given her? She didn't feel as though she owed her anything, but something in her made her want to keep this kingdom alive, to make it thrive as it once had. She had once craved power, and she was intoxicated by knowing it was within her grasp, so easily obtained.. though only if she chose to. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted a home for her children and their families, especially as Amalia rushed forward to embrace her, as cheerful as ever. A smile painted her own features, overwhelmed by the joy at seeing her daughter again so soon after they had parted ways. But soon the embrace would be broken, and Amalia would pull away from her and lean against the silver-furred at her side. This was no normal meeting. There was obviously something on theirs mind, something that they were in need of, and it became even more evident when she introduced Athena. There was an admission offered, and some surprising news to follow. This woman, Athena, was who Amalia considered her wife. They no longer had a home. And they had children. "Who is their father, and where is he?" Amalia had referred to them as her children, but if there was a male she ought to expect storming in and looking for them -- she felt she had every right to know. Still her gaze was scrutinizing as she watched Amalia, taking in the sudden information, letting it shift sharply to Athena as she began to speak. Her tones were laced with a hint of sadness and desperation that Epiphron found herself appreciating. If she'd come here in any other manner -- acting demanding, arrogant, or rude -- she might've lost it. And yet she seemed polite as she spoke, repeating some of what Amalia had told her, complimenting her daughter and explaining they wanted a home here, with her, for their family. It took a moment for her to take in all of the information that suddenly bombarded her, and her mind quickly reeled backwards to the first news she had given her. The pain in Athena's gaze was obvious. It made a sick, even sadistic sense of satisfaction well in her chest, though she was silent. Roman had cheered on Isardis with little hesitation, quite vocal in hoping for her brother's death. Seeing that, and hearing the cheers of those that had wished his demise had been nothing but raw, emotional torture. Knowing now that a child of Isardis was dead was a comforting thing. Perhaps the heartless brute might one day return to Alacritia to find her dead, and what a sweet sense of retribution that would someday bring her. It made an even sweeter sense of pride fill her core at the whole situation. Here was an Armada, a child of Isardis himself, nearly pleading to stay here with her. Without Amalia involved, it would've been an easy decision, but her sweet daughter's expectant stare made the decision a thousand times more cumbersome. "I know I raised an amazing woman," she would reply coolly, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "I can only hope that I can say the same for your father." There was no hint of warmth there, only a thinly veiled layer of irritation that masked the pure abhorrence she held for the man. "I want my daughter to stay with me, where she will be safe, and so I'll give you this," Epiphron begin, her ears twitching slightly as she considered. "A place for both of you to live, free from harm, with your children." It was strange to consider that Amalia had adopted children with this woman, and she could not grasp the concept fully; and yet she kept her reservations to herself. She would prefer for Amalia to stay here, and she knew that her daughter wanted to stay with her wife and children. Another moment of silence would follow as she considered what she might say next. There was an undeniable pain that tugged at her heard, firm and unforgiving, a painful reminder of all that Athena's family had done to her. The pain they had caused was real and was not something she could ever forget, no matter how firmly Amalia claimed that Athena was good and had always treated her well. "I will tell you both," she explained carefully, her voice low, gaze fixating on Amalia to gauge her reaction. "The former leader of Ludicael -- Jupiter -- she is dead, and this pack is now mine." Her decision was sudden, but she could not deny Amalia in her time of need. "I want you to stay here, though I expect nothing but respect from you." Her voice was cold as she eyed Athena, directing her words towards her alone. She'd been a Queen once, and now here she stood -- little more than a pawn, one that Epiphron was certain she could manipulate, if she were a more vindictive woman. The things one would do for love.... Epiphron knew if their love was true, Athena would do nothing to jeopardize her place here, with Amalia. "And I will not hesitate to take action if you so much as look at my daughter the wrong way." There was nothing quite as fierce as the love of a mother, and nothing more wrathful than a mother whose child had been harmed... something that Athena likely did not want to see. And yet her daughter's soft whine would break her, stony expression slipping slightly as she turned to her again. "I love you, Amalia," she told her as she moved to nuzzle the side of her daughter's face gently. "And I'm glad you came to me. I'd love for you to stay here." |