Ivan Lécuyer || Heir-Lieutenant || M: Alvaerelle (Dir); Cyrus, Sarolta, Cornaith, Catori, Esen, Koa, Kethryll'ia, Others (Ind)

Alvaerelle's muttering about her wishes for Cyrus to have acquired a scar brought a small chuckle from Ivan. With that old badger's temper, there were sure to be more chances further down the road. Ivan wouldn't mind leaving a mark of his own, but that was just his pettiness talking, and such blatant irresponsibility would not go down well with clan members already skeptical of his new position. No, a fight between the warrior and the heir would have to take place with good reason, and all of the reasons that immediately came to mind were less than desirable, if not downright despicable. Besides, Ivan would have to wait in an ever-growing line behind Alvaerelle's nieces, Catori, and the warriors. His mind flashed with the memory of the dagger-wielding Sarolta's wicked grin; there was absolutely no doubt that she and the queen next to him were closely related.

He cast his eyes to Vae as she left her seat to move into the sand beside him, and he couldn't help but feel a thrill at her pressed close. There would be no hiding the increase in his heartbeat from her, either -- not with her beautiful head resting where it was. Rather than acknowledge it, though, he ignored his simmering cheeks and breathed in, then sighed. That helped calm his pulse somewhat, though inhaling her scent made the effort almost moot. He hadn't felt this content (albeit a little giddy) in months.

His ears pricked at the sound of her voice, and her teasing congratulations earned a wry chuckle and his own half-joking line. "I hadn't expected it so soon after... everything. Now I just need to convince everyone that I'm not quite as stupid as they might think."

They lapsed into silence once more, and Ivan was happy to just watch the sky with her nuzzled into his side. She wasn't as hot to the touch now that the pyres weren't kissing her skin, but she still radiated a warmth that he hadn't realized he'd been missing so desperately. Wow, was he really that much of a lovesick puppy? Ivan thought he'd had it together more than that.

His placid face tensed with repressed pain at her next words. I miss him, Ivan. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, feeling his own chest and stomach tighten. The scene became all too clear in his mind: he could see himself engaging in their usual banter before Samblar had suggested they join a patrol. Ivan had been about to accept, but he hadn't. Why not? He'd always gone with the young warrior. Perhaps some nagging feeling of envy at his best friend's success had caused him to stay behind, or maybe there really had been something important to do. His last words to the other had been, "Don't die without me, you big doof!" Samblar had gone off with his signature grin, and that was the last Ivan had seen him, and a few other warriors, alive. His friend's bloodied, broken body and unseeing eyes staring straight back at the young man had snapped something in the heir. He'd never felt more bloodthirsty, more furious, more shattered. And he'd never engaged an enemy with more fury or drive.

"I've never wanted to destroy anything more than I wanted to decimate those trespassers that night," he whispered, throat tense and voice hoarse. "I enjoyed it. I wanted to watch the lights leave their eyes... They called me a monster as they died. And they were probably right."

Ivan surprised himself at how quickly the words flowed out of him. It hadn't been that long, but he'd never spoken of it. Even those who had gone with him hadn't heard his feelings on the matter. Talking about his insatiable desire for revenge certainly wasn't a very romantic endeavor, but Vae was one of the few, if not the only one, that he could say such things to. After all, Samblar was her mate and the sire of her children. Another long sigh escaped Ivan. "I should have gone with him. We were going to conquer the world together. I'd have gone with him to the ends of the earth, and the one time I didn't --"

He broke off and opened his eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be heaping my own bad memories on you. Samblar was the greatest man to ever grace this planet. He was as much my brother as Kethryll'ia is, even if he teased me about beating me to your heart."

He paused and pursed his lips. Oops. That part wasn't meant to come out. Ivan smiled and shrugged the shoulder that Alvaerelle wasn't leaning against. A short chuckle escaped him and he mused, "Well, that's out in the open now. I never could manage to shut up around you."

Ivan's brow furrowed and his tone turned more serious once again. "Vae... I know you've got an army behind you, and you've already successfully raised plenty of children on your own, but if there is room for one more assistant, I would move heaven and earth for you and your triplets. I'm not leaving anyone behind ever again."