Andromeda’s smile didn’t falter as the onslaught began, she merely stood by and took each barbed arrow as they were shot into her character with vicious accuracy. Her poised hand still held the champagne flute loosely, idly swirling the amber liquid around the glass as she listened to Astrid. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as the rampage continued. She was aware of the continuous dislike between Astrid’s family and her own, but this..this was something that had been festering. Bubbling like a toxic poison beneath Astrid’s skin for months, if not years. He wanted to eviscerate her, to tear her flesh from her body and expose her secrets to the world.

Beside her, she felt Leon tense up his heavy muscles, the steady sway of his tail halting at the sudden change in conversion. He clearly was not as in tune with the current standings of the kingdom’s relationships. Andromeda allowed Astrid to spit and hiss his fury at her, hidden beneath clever insults lay the bare bones of his anger.

His sneer made her lips pull into a tighter smile, one with more venom behind it. She liked this exposing of true intentions, everything was so fake, so performative. But this, oh this was brutally truthful.

“I have the fleeting notion that you didn’t watch much of my performance these past two years, Astrid.” She cooed as though talking to a disobedient child, speaking slow. “I believe you are sorely mistaken on your interpretation of my skill set. You have your flamboyant snowflakes and hot-blooded anger, it will make you an easy opponent to remove from the tournament.” Andromeda took a brief pause to down a mouthful of her drink, humming lightly at the taste.

“Not to say that I shall be the one to remove you, but you would do well to be weary. I thought you would make a decent ally this year, but it appears that I am mistaken. You are too emotional, that will get you killed.” She leaned her head down, bending at the torso, her voice turning into a harsh whisper.

Leon looked between the pair as they engaged in their tango of insults, frazzled by the turn of events. He knew she wanted to make allies, whether or not she planned to keep her word and not betray those allies, he wasn’t sure.

That summer, Andromeda and her family had visited his homeland, preparing for a truce between Nibrook and Marmoor. The combination of brutal force of Leon’s bloodline and the mental capacity of the Nibrook line, it seemed like a match made in heaven. She had told him then, that she would seek him out. They would be allies among this mayhem, but now he wasn’t so sure things were going to go according to plan. Their own alliance was rocky, the more this went on the more Leon found himself wanting to rethink his decision.

He stole a look over towards the other quiet heir as the two continued, wincing ever so slightly at the panicked look on his face. Kyyre seemed to be struggling to even listen to this savagery, it made Leon worry about the safety of the young man when it came to the very real and very brutal trials. He looked as though he could be snapped in half with half a thought.

Leon arched his back in a stretch that pulled at his spine and cracked along the entire length as he leaned forwards to grab another portion of meat. Deciding to distract himself by devouring more meat rather than listen to these pair carry on. This was supposed to be a night of connecting, revelry before the harsh reality of what they had to face in the coming weeks.

Gods, he wanted to walk away and find some pretty little thing to charm or romp around the place with. It would be far more entertaining that this pointless jabbing. Leon huffed out a large sigh, one that made his broad chest lift. Tensing himself, he turned back around to look at Kyyre and then Astrid.

“Is he your boyfriend or…guard?” Leon probed, cocking a thick eyebrow at the other man in question. This Astrid was certainly protective over this man, he wanted to know what made their connection so special.

She let him finish their interaction without another word spoken, her eyes followed him closely as Astrid departed from the small gathering. Something glittering in her eyes that could have been something in between excitement and mania. Long lashes closed and opened slowly before her attention was drawn back to Leon and the little lamb that Astrid had abandoned in his ire.

Astrid was not wrong, she needed to be watching her back. However, that was an awfully easy thing to do when one can read the minds of those around them. Well, their intentions at least. She ached to weasel her way into Astrid’s pea brain and crawl through the awful memories, tainting any of the good with cruel ones. To poison his mind and send him spiralling down the same path that his champion had done two years prior.

Leon on the other hand, was watching Kyyre with bemused interest as the man began to let words flow from his lips like water. They just kept coming and progressively he was realising this heir was a chronic people pleaser. That much was evident in the way he flashed back and forth between himself and Andromeda, appeasing them whilst keeping Astrid’s image pleasant.

Kyyre was like a rabbit, or something of that ilk. A prey animal with his darting eyes and rapid breathing, the poor thing was frantically trying to make this situation something he could manage. Leon did feel a small twinge of pity towards the scene that was playing out before him, not that it stopped him from continuing his pestering. After all, predator’s enjoyed chasing prey.

His lips split in a hearty laugh, glancing between Kyyre and Andromeda. Even her expression was morphing into something more warm, almost affectionate as she gazed down at Kyyre.

“Sweetheart, slow down.” She offered, dipping her arm to place her glass on the table. She would not be picking that glass up again, the liquid would be abandoned there, far too many people here. Anyone could slip in a poison, a narcotic. Anything.

“I appreciate your kind words, but please don’t worry yourself with how Astrid acts. He hates me because I sent his champion home with soup for brains. That’s what this tournament is, kill or be killed. That year, I was the killer.” She continued as casually as anything, as if she were talking about the upcoming weather rather than cold-blooded murder.

Andromeda’s eyes travelled over Kyyre, clocking the very fitting white attire, the honest look his eyes held as they flicked between herself and her brutish companion. The brightening of his cheeks that came with his rambling river of words.

“I like this one, Leon.” She finally spoke after analysing the other heir closely, turning her head to watch her companion. The slender tendons of her neck popping out from under her pale skin. “You best keep him alive.” Her first sentence was light-hearted but this second component carried a far heavier meaning, a veiled command that she had just dished out.

Leon’s smile faltered for a moment and he looked to Andromeda, confusion washing over his expression as he peeked between the two people. She wanted him to keep this little string of nothing alive? He was..well, he was rather pathetic in terms of competitors for the tournament. Panicky and scared. Bad traits to carry in this environment.

“O-Of course.” He finally complied and looked back towards Kyyre, flashing his bright smile once again as he tossed his meal aside and dusted his hands off on his fur cape. The movement pushing it askew, exposing more of his left side now.

“I suppose if Orchid wants you around, you should be indoctrinated.” His tone carried a teasing line, waiting for Kyyre to bite. Only, Leon wasn’t a patient man and he shook his head just as quick. “I’m joking, relax Kyyre.” He took a few strong strides around the table and bent down, head tilted to look at the other man.

“But I do think you should venture with us tonight, we’re always the life of the party.” Leon’s canines were poking at his bottom lip as he grinned, behind him the bushy mass of his tail was swaying heavily. The tip flicking up and brushing his own elbow, then on the other side reaching Kyyre’s arm.

“I promise, we aren’t as scary as people make us out to be. We’re just…eccentric, compared to other kingdoms.” His words were punctuated with an airy laugh, creasing his feline eyes as he continued to peer down as Kyrre expectantly.

If they were going to adopt this little heir into their alliance, then he needed to get an idea of how his brain worked. How did he react to certain situations? Likely scared. How well did he utilise his bloodline’s ability? What was their ability again? Leon didn’t know, he didn’t care really, it was Andromeda that cared.

Leon listened contently to the continuing word vomit that was streaming from Kyyre’s mouth. It was very amusing to watch the ramping up of frazzled expressions that were taking control of his pale features. He really was a stark opposite to the pair of older heirs, with his gentle mannerisms and pleading words. A stolen glance towards Andromeda revealed her face was a mixture of curiosity and amazement.

She was simply surprised that an heir could be so belittling to themselves, to fumble their words and talk without an ounce of decorum. At least Leon held himself as an heir should, even if his words were certainly not befitting their royal blood. Her bemusement was interrupted by the rather brash interjection of Leon and his snickering.

“Y’here that Orchid, he wants to spend time with both of us, together.” Leon mumbled, more making the innuendo to himself than the other two people at the gathering. He was left giggling to himself while Andromeda rolled her eyes and dove into her more serious conversation with Kyyre. Leon always was a child at heart.

“I find you intriguing.” She offered a simple and short answer at first, but as she slid into a chair that Leon deftly plucked out from under the table for her she smiled.

“To be brutally honest, if Astrid truly intends to drive a dagger through my heart, then befriending his companion is the smart move to make.” Andromeda gave up that information with absolutely no prying, it was true. If she were to survive, smart relationships were warranted.

“Aside from that,” Her elbows leaned on the table, the fur boa dripping from her shoulders. “I think you are a good heir. There are still human qualities to you, none of this overly dramatised showmanship.” Her wrist rotated in a circle, gesturing to the courtyard. Cool eyes followed the tip of her finger as it whirled around.

“Humanity, you act like a person. I think that is lost in most kingdoms. Keeping you alive would be beneficial to my kingdom, via ensuring your survival I am able to put a kinder heir on the throne of your land. Which benefits me greatly.” Finally, the woman leaned back in her chair, draping one hand over her knee. Long legs crossed at the knees, lightly jumping her foot restlessly.

“Is that a good enough answer for you?”

Leon stood by quietly as he watched Andromeda sprinkle her fancy words around Kyyre with practiced calm. He knew she wanted certain people to rule the kingdoms, but he never would have guessed Kyyre could be a good option. He assumed she was going to offer herself in marriage to a kingdom, maybe Slyhelm or one of his siblings in Nibrook, in order to secure Marmoor’s strength in the coming decades.

When she had told him about her scheme to ensure compatible heirs ended up on their respective thrones. He assumed she wanted a killer to head out and eliminate the elder siblings of certain individuals, which wouldn’t be particularly difficult to do. He had assumed she wanted him to do that. Yet, Andromeda had not asked him to do anything of the sort. At least, not yet.

He pulled himself from his own mind and focus on the conversation at hand.

“That and you aren’t a hulking angry man like your friend over there.” He shot a hand up to flick a lazy gesture towards where Astrid had stalked off to. “It makes you a lot more enjoyable to be around when you’re not threatening people’s lives the moment to meet them.” To this, Andromeda let out an agreeing hum.

“Certainly.” Her head turned to catch a glimpse of Astrid in the distance, just as the orchestra began a new song with a faster pace. “Astrid seems to be dead set on me…” She watched, eyes like a hawk as Astrid move around, then suddenly she snapped her sharp gaze back onto Kyyre.

“Tell me, does he hate me because of what I did in those tournaments or is there something I am missing?” Her voice was solid, commanding now rather than pandering to the shyness of this man. She wanted answers.

Leon scrunched his nose up at the sudden transition in tone, moving to sit down beside Kyyre, almost pinning him into the table. Not his intention, but rather helpful.

“Let him breathe for a moment, Orchid. Poor thing hasn’t stopped talking to take a good lungful yet.” He shook his head at his companion and threw his head to the side to look at Kyyre.

“G’on, take a second to relax. I’ve never seen someone so tense, we’re just talking. You’d know if we wanted to kill you, so relax.” Leon laughed, loud and proud, making no effort to quiet himself in this more evolved environment.

He was used to the loudness that was honesty to oneself about who you were, you laughed when you wanted, cheered, fought, killed. Whatever your heart desired, you could seek it out in Nibrook.

The hatred that Astrid held for her wasn’t surprising in the least, many kingdoms had been at war with each other for centuries at this point. The wounds ran deep and raw between their parents and subsequently their children, perpetuated by the viciousness of the tournament. Pitting the heirs against one another in a cruel game that the noblemen bet on with their life savings, raining glory to some and ruin for everyone else.

Whilst Andromeda was a vexing creature, she understood the real game being played at the tournament. It was a time to rid the earth of other players, setting up the field for when they went home and began ruling themselves. A good player would wipe the field of every other competitor. A brilliant player would pick out those that would bend the knee to them and slaughter the rest. That is how you won.

Kyyre was a kneeler. Astrid was a problem.

There the problem stood, his arm pinned against a pillar as though he could crush it with his bare hands. He was staring off into the crowds to twirling people, but Andromeda knew what played on his mind. She didn’t need to wriggle her way in to know that his head was awash with tidal waves of emotion. Anger, vengeance, loathing. What amused her was the fact that she had not spoken one ill word to the man before his outburst. Whatever had been festering in his heart had been growing long before he had ever met her.

Perhaps they had crossed paths when she was at the academy, maybe they even had a class or two together. She wasn’t entirely sure. Afterall, when she attended the school, Andromeda had been a recluse. Hiding herself away to her dorm room after each class, devouring books well into the night hours. The first time she made a spectacle of herself was that first tournament. And oh the looks on their faces when she finally revealed she wasn’t some dopey pitiful heir, that Marmoor had not fallen from grace. Quite the opposite, their power was growing stronger.

“You like to fill the silence, don’t you?” She purred, eyes glittering with amusement. Drawn away from Astrid’s looming presence by the sputting that was happening opposite her. “I suppose it doesn’t matter why he hates me, the simple fact is that he does in fact hate me. I doubt he is going to change his opinion of me anytime soon if that outburst is anything to go off of.” With a long sigh, the woman leaned back into her chair languidly eyeing the two men opposite her.

Leon kept his lips sealed for a millisecond longer than usual before the dying need to speak rose once again. He never could control himself for very long, no one in Nibrook was known for being patient.

“Being someone’s sidekick isn’t very fun, they’re sort of just keeping you around for when they need you. I’m not sure I’d want to be one, hopefully you’re more friend than that.” He piped up, leaning one powerful arm over the back of his chair. Cocked at the elbow to throw a vague hand gesture towards Kyyre as he spoke, eyes sliding from the food to the young man. Rather ironic coming from himself, but Leon likes to think of himself as Andromeda's partner. Not quite equal in her eyes, but a strong enough ally to be trusted and spoken to without demeaning him.

He was interesting looking, the starkness of the white of not only his attire but his skin and hair made him stand out like a sore thumb. Suddenly Leon was possessed with the notion that Andromeda wanted him to make sure this little thing survived. How on earth was he supposed to achieve that? In any environment he would be so obvious to see, he could be stuck down from miles away. This was all of a sudden, a stick predicament he had found himself in. If he let this man die, there’d be hell to pay. Who knows what his siblings are like, whether or not they were as docile as he was.

The train of thought made his lip curl, revealing a broad fang, before he corrected himself by raising his free hand to push through his mop of hair. The rough mane flopping back into a fluffy mess, no rhyme or reason to its styling.

“What’s your big plan for these trials? Surely you’ve thought about it. I know I have.” Leon continued. “Rampage through it, be clever, avoid, poison. What’s your pick?” Leon probed, arching his back to lean down closer to Kyyre. His face drawing close enough to the pale man to be perceived as intimidating, but his amber eyes were bright with excitement. He wanted to know, he wanted to talk about violence. Other people had such interesting ways of facing the tournament, it didn’t matter what the answer was because it wouldn’t alter Leon’s plans at all.

Being a ball of tightly wound, earth-shattering muscle gave you pretty much one option, to become a battering ram.

“I don’t think he would be so stupid as to reveal his plans to us, Leon. You forget that he’s probably thinking we plan to kill him.” Andromeda interjected, raising her heeled foot from under the table to jab at Leon’s leg rather sharply. So much so that it made her torso jerk with the effort.

“They all think we’re going to kill them.” She turned her graceful neck to survey their surroundings, it didn’t take longer than two seconds to spot another heir watching them closely. But as she met their gaze, they shot off in the opposite direction.

“You in particular. They’re terrified of you, to them you’re more beast than man. Which, in my opinion, is a rather daft presumption.” Her steady gaze settled back on the two men as Leon leaned back in his chair, warm breath no longer wafting over poor Kyyre.

“I don’t think I’ve met a more honest person than you, which makes you more human to me than any of these snivelling children.” She raised her voice an inch, just to make a point to any prying ears that she found them as revolting as they found her.

Leon tilted his head to the side as she spoke. He had always thought of himself as honest, but it wasn’t a conscious decision he made. It was in his nature to blurt out his first thoughts, without any regret to go along with it. More often than not it got him into all sorts of trouble, from fights to awkward mornings with people he didn’t remember meeting the night before.

“If they think I’m a monster, then I’ll give them exactly what they want.” His tail bushed up, flicking sharply. His voice had dropped down into a growling grumble with a matching snarl to fit the scene.

“I always liked biting first and asking questions later.” After his last word, his tongue flicked out to swipe over his teeth. The action only drew a bemused laugh from Andromeda’s chest as she watched him with a warm fondness that rarely shadowed her expression.

As ever, Leon was blissfully unaware of the the effect he was having on their new companion. He never was one to to understand implications of his actions, at least in the short term. When he dwelled on the day’s events, laying alone in his dorm room he often pondered on what the reaction was to certain things he had said and done, but in the moment it never crossed his mind.

“Please try to refrain from biting the throats out of everyone, it makes politics so much more complicated when murder happens out in the open.” Andromeda teased, the topic of her conversation not making her waiver at all. She had grown up surrounded by the misery that these wars brought onto the royals, not only the civil people of their kingdoms. The desolation that the battles left in their wake, children left sobbing beside the rotting, maggot-infested parents. A woman wailing over her husband, houses burnt to a crisp with families still screaming inside. It was darker than any novel or story, reality often was even more sick and twisted than what idle minds could create.

“Doesn’t stop it from being fun.” Leon countered, whisking his tail behind him before forcing it to still, the tip brushing the mosaic floor. Leaning back into his chair, he puffed out his chest, the tanned skin criss-crossed with endless scars that shone almost silver in the moonlight. Hiding away his fangs again, his attention turned back to Kyyre. Leon paused, spotting the rather startled look that seemed to be dominating the pale man’s face.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m playing around.” He crowed, trying to offer a more reassuring smile to Kyyre. Not that any of his smiles could be reassuring when they were punctuated by large lethal canines. “I won’t kill you, if that gives you any solace. Orchid wants you to stick around.” Leon moved his arm to lightly nudge at Kyyre’s upper arm. “I think she’s taken a liking to you.” He couldn’t help it, the opportunity for teasing was right there and he had to take it. Impossible to keep his mouth shut as his tail disobeyed his brain once again and began to wag with a steady increase in pace.

“I quite like you as well, so if you have the bravery to trust us, you’ve got two rather good allies here.” Leon’s purred voiced ended as he looked back to Andromeda expectantly.

“He’s right.” With that she rose to her feet, tucking her boa closer to her collarbones as she did so, neck twisting to survey their surroundings. “I would have liked your friend to stay as well, but it’s obvious he isn’t going to be breaking bread with me any time soon.” She was talking more or less to herself at this point. Her mind working over time to figure out who she was going to approach instead, Astrid would have been a good addition. Actually, her first choice and then Kyyre because they were attached at the hip. Kyyre was supposed to be a bargaining chip, offering protection of Kyyre in order to bring Astrid into their alliance. Now she had to find another brutal heir to add to her roster, one that wasn’t too hard to control but also wasn’t so cocky they would actually listen to what she said.

As she was about to part her lips again to address the two men, the music suddenly crescendoed into a loud tune. A quick-paced song with strong violin work that made many people lurking around the edges of the courtyard to jostle away and begin hurriedly making their way to the middle of the yard.

Leon’s eyes shone with excitement and he sprung up from his seat, grinning wildly as he set his eyes on Andromeda. He was cut off by her pointed look towards Kyyre and Leon’s joy dulled for a moment at the rejection from the woman, but was just as quickly reignited as his eyes settled on his next partner.

“Surely you know this one, the whole changing-hands-changing-partners constantly one. I don’t know the name, we don’t have names for songs in Nibrook.” His words came fast and hard as he beamed down at Kyyre, tail flailing a mile a minute as he waited for the reply.

He often spent many nights endlessly dancing and duelling in Nibrook, even when his mother took the crown, he held no obligation to be demure and respectful. In fact, it was the opposite. Leon was expected to fight no matter what, to be the most brutal fighter the kingdom had. A feral prince ready to take the crown when his time came.