[private] until the night turns

[Mazikeen]

m a z i k e e n . Nashua rises to the bait, biting back to her about his apprehension. It is a monumental effort not to purr back to him, to tell him how she had understood his apprehension perfectly well back then too - but she had known it had no grounds. She had known his children were in no danger even when they had first met at the festival. Mazikeen had known all along. Gale had told her he was Cursed the first time they had ever spoken outside the alliance, and she had fallen for him anyway. And then she had fallen again for the creature that had taken up residence within him. But she doesn’t do more than stare at Nashua for a moment before returning her attention to Noel. She does not know if the white mare is being honest, that she really would allow Bolder to stay, or if it is simply a ploy to get him back - especially with that additional demand of having neither Gale nor Mazikeen present when they speak to their son. Nashua’s statement that follows Noel’s words makes Mazikeen want to refuse when she would have agreed had he held his tongue. But before she can comment any further, Bolder is there with them as a sloth hanging from a branch that is suspended in the air. It does not surprise her, this easy display of Gale’s powers - there’s enough negative energy radiating from Nashua that Mazikeen is sure he would be able to do great and terrible things right now - and when she catches some of the thoughts in his mind, the image of Bolder painted with blood, a small thrill sparks in the pit of her stomach. The smile she gives to Bolder is not false, she’s proud of each new shape he learns - and in front of him she is still the encouraging aunt. A support system there when or if he needs it, and it is to that end that she finally speaks once more - with that same polite voice she had used before. “If Bolder wishes to speak with his mother alone, we’ll withdraw but stay nearby.” Bolder was still their captive, after all. And then her gaze turns to the boy and she forces her voice to soften. “It’s up to you.” Like Gale, Mazikeen removes Nashua from the conversation. She makes it clear she will not leave the boy with both of his parents, even if Gale needs to seize the northern king’s bones to drag him after them as they retreat.

 

@Noel