Aela does not draw lines.
If she had been a mindreader, she might have told Cheri so. The Appaloosa aspired to rule what, a kingdom? New ones rose and fell all the time. Territories changed their allegiances, and catastrophic wars could be fought for trivial causes. What Aela wanted was knowledge - and not just any knowledge - but in studying various forms of Magic (and the way it interacted with others), she hoped to discover the origins of its Creation.
She wanted to know the strengths and weaknesses; the advantages and disadvantages because when her moment comes - when she feels greatness seeping into her beautiful skin, she will become a true force to be reckoned with. Not one to be swallowed, or Cursed, or imprisoned. There will be nothing to stop her, and at that moment, Aela will find what she is truly seeking: divinity.
For now, though, she has to contend with mortal minds like Cheri.
One that seems to think the kindness in her warning (rather generous of her, Aela thinks) comes from something other than that. The dark mare is certainly worthy of the Southern crown. Of the monarchs Aela has so far encountered, she is one of the more interesting. Both her brothers (and Mazikeen) had a habit of scowling at her when they interacted, and so she finds the little tete-a-tete with the pegasus rather refreshing.
It was a change of conversation, at the very least.
Her smile deepens, revealing a dimple that she shares with her biological mother. "Consider it for the good of all Beqanna," Aela says, because someday (though perhaps already), her power will extend far beyond just Loess and its canyons. The Seneschal dips her head in the courtly way that she imagines most horses do in the kingdom that the quartz-and-onyx mare rules. Certainly Ledger, she muses, when he wasn't lusting after the other Queen.
"And I won't keep you from yours," she continues, moving in the direction towards the Flower Court. The warning that flickers in Cheri's viridian eyes catches in Aela's blue ones (and burns there, like the fires that she would summon to anyone who would attempt to corner her), and the Empath slows to offer before leaving: "You really should visit the Pampas again. We have plans to renovate soon."
There is a memory that comes flaring to life - Erupt and his lava streams, Fyr and his fire-fields, Skandar as violent magma that breaks him open, of young Sickle playing among the Pampas flowers - and then Aela blinked while giving her slender shoulders a small shrug, erasing what had been just moments before with divine ease.
@Cheri
They doused your soul in water,
but the flames raged higher.
And they called you devil's daughter,
such a pretty liar.