She's got the devil's eyes
She becomes aware of the dusky gold woman’s arrival long before she reaches them, but she does not pull her attention from the pair before her. No doubt Lepis would join them soon enough, completing the small party.
Wolfbane murmurs a response to her mild rebuke, demonstrating a distinct understanding of the point she had been trying to make. Of course, he knows her well enough by now to understand the patient cunning that fuels her. And while an understanding is not action, it is, at the very least, a step in the right direction.
She is not so foolish as to believe their intentions are so benign as he might wish her to, however. She knows the decision to come to Taiga had not originally been his. And his suggestion that she, at long last, meet Lepis, is met with silent agreement. She is certain it’s well past time for her to meet, in person, the mother of his children. Wolfbane may hold her in familial affection, but Lepis does not.
She idly wonders then, if Wolfbane were truly aware of the ripples his actions had begun. She knows they have plans, but he must also know that the way in which they had bullied their way onto the Taigan throne would draw unwanted attention. He must know too, that her eye would be fixed much more closely onto the situation that it might otherwise have been.
Wolfbane, for all that she keeps track of her family, had been granted a reprieve of scrutiny couched in affection and trust. Now though, that reprieve had ended. And he couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact.
Or could he?
“If you wish answers,” she finally replies softly after a moment of heavy consideration, “you have only to ask.” It’s true she is rarely free with the information she has, but perhaps he simply needs a reminder that he resides in a rather unique position when it comes to her. She is not heartless, after all.
She stares at him for a long moment, but then Eyas speaks, and her gaze drops to the girl as she peers uncertainly up at her. By this time Lepis had reached them as well, and her words rise to frame Eyas’ almost (though not quite) apologetically. Heartfire, as she lifts her inscrutable gaze to the other woman, cannot imagine her being truly apologetic about anything.
But then, she doesn’t even need to imagine. The woman might be unaware of it, but she had fallen under Heartfire’s scrutiny long ago.
She listens almost idly as Lepis introduces herself, the diplomatic turns of phrase falling off her tongue with practiced ease. Heartfire has never been one to stand on protocol though, and feels no great need to return any meaningless pleasantries. Instead she tilts her head slightly, lips easing into a brief, rare uptilt as she returns her gaze to Eyas. “Of course.” She pauses a moment before adding, “Come to Nerine, when you’re ready.”
As she returns her gaze to Lepis, her features once more smooth into the cooly pleasant expression so often worn by the Northern queen. Those that know her well would recognize it. Indeed, those that know her well are often the only ones who have ever seen any other expression cross her features.
“You are correct, my visit today is not social,” she agrees mildly, the unsettling blue of her gaze fixed on the navy and gold mare. She stands in stark contrast, plainly colored with an unexceptional appearance. Of course, such appearances could be boldly deceptive. “I was just discussing with Wolfbane your… ascension.” The heavy pause quite plainly speaks to her knowledge of the events that had occurred prior to and after the ascension in question. And demonstrates just as clearly that she is not entirely approving.
While she had elected to give Wolfbane the benefit of the doubt, Lepis is much more a stranger to her. And she is curious what the woman might choose now to infer.
and they'll cut you like a weapon