Ahriana shifted uncomfortably and wiped the dew of sweat from her brow, then pushed a strand of now sticky hair off her neck. Ahriana tried to keep her temper calm, taking deep breaths, but just being near Nira had Ahriana's blood burning hot. If there had been a time she felt like her mother, Ahriana didn't recall. Not for a nightmare, fear of the dark, or even an injury. Fairsh and her father had been her safe places.
Nira was cool as her stone like features, her fiery red hair was all in place, and her dress fit her form perfectly. She was a breathtaking beauty, all her features were perfect, nothing off-center, nothing too small or too large. Yet, the displeasure that always fell off her in waves, marred the picture for her daughter. They shared the same hair, and even that appeared harsher on the Queen . Nira had been precisely formed to be the greatest beauty in the entire world, until her daughter arrived. That thought raced through her sharp mind and her jaw tightened. She never looked at her child and felt pride, or pleasure.
When she looked at Ahriana all she ever saw was her own beauty echoed across her daughter's face, but carrying slight improvements. Nira could never pinpoint just what the differences were, but it was there just around the eyes, through the cheek bones, down the jaw line. The way Ahriana held her head on her slender neck, how her body curved despite the muscles. Even the muscles added something to her daughter's figure, something foreboding but regal. She held the beauty of that panther Greatling through the lines of her body. It was something that even Nira could begrudgingly see. It made her more beautiful than anything that had walked across this earth before, and it made Nira want to claw those emerald jewels from Ahriana's face. How dare she? How dare she take everything from her own mother, what sort of evil creature strove so just to eclipse the one who had given them life. Her lip curled in a half formed snarl before she slipped her mask in place.
Nira stared around Ahriana's room with a pinched look on her face. The chairs were leather, and the walls a dark warm red, you felt wrapped in strength when you entered, either feeling safe, or imitated. It was all up to your personality just what the room created in your mind. For Nira it was neither, she could not be intimated, and the part of her soul that identified warmth had died too many years ago to count.
The curtains were heavy and a deep black, it was a masculine room, not at all what a princess should have. Which of course was why Ahriana had decorated it as such. Nira rarely visited, and when she did it was for mere moments. It hadn't actually been the reason Ahriana had chosen these colors, but happy accidents are still happy.
Ahriana somehow still operated under the idea that her mother loved her, as a mother should be unable to do otherwise. This was due to the fact that Ahriana thought she loved her mother, as a daughter it was nearly impossible to do otherwise. It was simply easier to love her when she wasn't around her. Meekah scoffed at the thought, no such rule existed he informed her often, but still Ahriana clung to the idea, because to admit differently would upset her faith in love and the magic.
Nira finally looked away from Ahriana, unable to bear the image of the warrior princess a moment longer. She instead stood smoothing the front of her gown, with the look of someone who just swallowed something very sour. She watched her daughter hop between the balls of her feet, she waited a moment longer until she was certain she had made Ahriana as uncomfortable as possible.
"Ahriana I am highly disappointed in you. Today, you went out and spent time with Fairsh. Who I once again must remind you , is nothing more than an armorer's assistant. Lest we not mention your recent fishing, running through the woods, sparring with men, and apparent tree climbing. You completely disregarded everything I have been pleading with you to do and refrain from. Do you not even care how that makes me look," she sniffled a little at the end for dramatic effect.
Ahriana rolled her eyes, guilt trips had stopped working long ago, she in fact did not care how it made Nira look. Ahriana took a deep breath before starting her explanation hoping to curb her temper.
"Mother, I went out and spent time with a good friend of mine, the station should not matter at all; lest we forget the magic chose no one for me. It would not have chosen royalty for me if it had, simply because I am the only Royal child. I can not change such things, what should I do instead? I beg your wisdom as I do not know what you expect." Ahriana smiled a bit before she continued making sure to form her question in proper respect for Nira as Queen, and not as if speaking to her mother.
"I am what I am destined to be. I am a warrior, Queen Mother, so I do not see the point in any attempts to make me otherwise. Would that not be insulting the magic and power? Should I therefore do as you please in no deference to the prophecy and commandments of my King Father?"
Ahriana's smile angered Nira as always, as did Ahriana's mastery of the speech patterns that Nira herself struggled with once angry.
Meekah Nira's mouth formed a thin line and strode between the women, and with a large huff and small rumble from his chest laid on the carpet, eyes narrowed on Nira. Her eyes narrowed in return; she straightened her already severely straight shoulders and raised her chin. Meekah out ranked her by any standard she chose to obey, or ignore, he also was mostly immune to her magic, his threat was simple, and satisfying.
He was King of the Greatlings at all times, and when it came to Nira he made sure it was not forgotten. She needed boundaries when it came to Ahriana, and he was the perfect line she would not cross. Meekah would not have hesitated to tear her to shreds if he felt she endangered Ahriana's life in any way. He could do so and not fear the consequences, because for him there would be none.
Nira always kept this in mind when he was near, because she knew that the panther king could not be trusted. She only trusted that he awaited the day he could murder her. That's how Nira saw it, as murder, not justice no matter her actions, or any actions that should lead up to such a confrontation. She was Queen and he was a beast.
Meekah saw it as clear and simple justice. From the moment he had met Nira she had sent his hackles up and his teeth to quivering in rage. He had yet to understand why, but there was something inherently evil about the woman, a fact he never shared with Ahriana. She could always sense his reaction though, and she always wondered if it was a reaction to her depravity. Or something like older Elderalds claimed to feel about rain coming in their tired bones. Meekah looked up at Ahriana as this thought crossed her mind and snorted, rolling his eyes. Ahriana managed to cover her giggle with a cough.
Nira gave him a slight nod, which was as close to a bow as she would ever come.