"Icefang." He ushers out, the words an echo on the air. A summons. A demand. Surely she had not thought death would silence him? Surely she was not so ignorant as to think he would not return. The god king would be reborn one day, and his power restored to him. She, however, would likely be long dead.

Until then, the devil wished to know what she'd been doing, what she was up to - had she let his family turn to ruin? Weakened by the rule of a woman? He had hoped to find an Heir sooner, giving Icefang little time to fool anyone into thinking that the X'uekai were anything, but simpering men at the whim of their mates. No, if that were the case - it would change.

code by corvus

She is sleeping, lurching upwards into an upright position at his call. Icefang blinks the slumber from her eyes, squinting in the darkness at her den entrance. No one is there, yet she recognizes his voice. There was no mistaking it and whatever trick of the mind claws at the back of her skull, warning her, she suffocates it down and rises up to step outside. @Renozuri's ghastly appearance shocks her as evidenced by the slight drop of her jaw.

"Reno?" She breathes, her voice soft as she approaches to stand before him. She has hope that in death he might see and witness everything she has built - to see her for who she truly is - but the queen is disappointed at the familiar glassy appearance of his pink irises. "Why didn't you see me sooner? Why didn't you tell me what you wanted?" It would be her moment of truth as a sickly feeling twists in her gut. What were the odds that somehow Cassius had managed to lie to her? Claim that Renozuri had indeed requested for him to take his title by vanquishing him?

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

He doesn't have to see her to feel the surprise that comes off of her in waves. The devil steps closer, as if to touch, to breathe her in. Yet no sensation like that would come. Instead, Renozuri is left feeling empty. Unsatisfied - and it drives him wild. How was death so cruel that he would be blind here as well? Forever forsaken, given nothing but weakness that he was forced to compensate for.

"It was never your place to resume my mantle, esposa." He drawls, his ghastly form shimmering in the darkness as moves around her - gliding ethereally without the sound of a footstep. "Has Cassius been a suitable heir?" Would she lie to him, did her loyalty waver in death? How far would Icefang go to please him? Renozuri did not know of her ambitions. One way or another, perhaps he would find out.

code by corvus

He steps closer and so does she. Seeking his embrace. To feel that familiar tickle on her neck from his breath, to inhale his scent, and bury her face into his mane. To be comforted after longing for him for two torturous years. Cassius scratches an itch, helps the void that Renozuri’s death has left behind, but Icefang battles her own tumultuous feelings when it comes to her heir and present mate. A decision she had made, accepting that her husband for so many years was truly gone. Never to be seen again.

Yet, she feels nothing. There is no body heat pressed into her skin and she cannot feel his mane grazing against her cheek. Her blue eye opens and she is against where his chest is, but her face goes through his outline and she lets out a forced exhale. “I can’t feel you,” the sorrow is heavy on her tone, transparent in her own feelings. She always had been with him.

It was never your place to resume my mantle, esposa.

Her ears pin back and she pulls away to stare at him, but he is already gliding around her. Even in death he manages to have her location pinned. “How can you say that?” She huffs, the slightest edge of a growl in her voice. “You are not proud of what I’ve done? All I’ve done to expand the name you placed on me?” Her scars. Her torn ear, blind eye, and maimed tail amongst the countless scars that litter her pristine figure. He would never see them and now he couldn’t even feel them. To see the abuse she has suffered at the paws of his legacy.

Their legacy.

Then he asks about him. She flicks an ear, feeling a twist of guilt beneath the fire that is slowly building in her heart. Her tongue drifts over her bottom lip in thought, her mouth suddenly feeling dry as she wonders what @Renozuri knows now. She did not have experience with the dead. For her, once they were gone she expected things to stay that way. Yet, she had witnessed Morrigan come back to life moons ago and so she wonders…what was the possibility that the same could happen for her mate? Especially with his spirit hovering before her.

“Why did you pick him?” She ignores his question - for now. She is scorned being left in the dark about his decision. About allowing his death and leaving her behind without a word. Without the chance to see Nazara and Thruum grow. To relish in the power she held now and how she made the rest of the world quiver beneath her cracked paws. He would get his answer, but only after she got hers.

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

I can't feel you.

Renozuri's sightless gaze peers down at her, as if seeing her, seeing through her. The devil is an eerie presence that sucks the life out of the surrounding area, but even still - it seems he has no real power. Yet. "I am dead, esposa." He rumbles, his expression empty for a time before it softens. Was this a real expression, or fake? It was always hard to tell with Renozuri.

She has expectations, and it causes his form to waver as anger briefly overtakes him. Control. Control. The devil lets out a breath, though done so out of habit than actual need. It is a foolish action done due to the memory of life. "Tell me all that you have done, Icefang. Elucidate on your accomplishments." She wished for his praise, did she? He would have her explain, then. Surely she remembered the man she'd married. How he worked, the core of his being.

Icefang's job ultimately was to have children. X'uekai children, preferably men - who would carry on his name. If Renozuri wanted to be cruel, which he often was, Icefang had done less than the other women in this family. Cassius' toy had produced five boys. How many had Icefang given him, given Cassius? It was true she held the crown, but the power of a crown never meant much to the blind devil.

Nor did it after death.

It was a superficial power, one that only lasted as long as you pissed on the lands and no one ripped it from your paws. Sooner, rather than later, Cassius would have that as well.

Given the situation, he'd never meant to be cruel to Icefang. If there was anything akin to love in his heart, it had been there for her, but the importance of his legacy outweighed those feelings. "He can carry on my name the way I wish. You are still stuck, esposa, strangled by your need for power and ambition. Your need for a woman to be in charge. That is not my way, nor will it ever be. My name is being given to all that you wish, when it should only be given to those who hold my values." This would not be what she wanted to hear, and perhaps it would be easier for her to defy him now that he was dead.

It was now, more than any other time, that her loyalty was tested.

Her trust in him.

"The others, they need to follow him. Not you." By title alone did she hold power, for now, but within this family - Cassius needed to prevail.

code by corvus

I am dead, esposa.

"Obviously," she snaps the control over her anger unfurling at the obvious statement. She knew this. She had to find out the hard way when Cassius showed up at her front door with remnants of @Renozuri's body. Tell me all that you have done, Icefang. Elucidate on your accomplishments. She blinks, the shock weighing her down as she is faced with once again having to explain her worth. To someone who would never recognize them. She is silent, failing to give him the answers he demands.

Yes, she might not of birthed the boys that had been expected of her though that does not mean she hasn't done her part in ensuring that as many boys as possible were born. They all would not be feasting so well without her guiding paw. He can carry on my name the way I wish. You are still stuck, esposa, strangled by your need for power and ambition. Your need for a woman to be in charge. That is not my way, nor will it ever be. My name is being given to all that you wish, when it should only be given to those who hold my values. The words sting like the lashes of a whip. She had always known who he was, the monster that had bedded her, and yet she stares at him as if she doesn't recognize him. Maybe he did share fault in allowing her and Nikiri to stray so far on their leashes, to be fooled by their own ambitions and desires to overtake. To think that they were different than all the other women - simply because he had labeled them as his wives.

It was in this moment that she missed their wife more than ever.

"Perhaps it is you who is still stuck," she spats, the words sour on her tongue. She had always been there - loyally following his every whim. Always making sure his needs were met to the best of her abilities. She might not of filled the family with sons like Freja had, but Icefang had provided the home in which Freja had a safe and comfortable birth. It was because of the queen that there were medics available to keep her from dying and being able to nurse the five gigantic sons. It was her meddling that had brought the X'uekai back to their current numbers even if Renozuri did not see this because he was only analyzing her worth on the quantity of males she had created. "I might not have birthed the number of sons you wanted," her jaw clenches as she considers Velasco and his long lost brother, Andras. The souls of their first litter together. "But you cannot chastise me for it when I have secured this home for your lineage to prosper. I collected the stranglers and brought them here. I encouraged them to procreate and prevent the name from dying in the dust with you. Those are my fucking accomplishments, esposo*"

The others, they need to follow him. Not you.

She flashes her fangs at him. She does not care that he cannot see the threat she throws at him. "They will once he has proven himself to them - like I did." Regardless of what he said to her or how he felt, Icefang knew she was a powerhouse of strength that the rest of their family recognized. Even if she died today, there was no guarantee that her loyal followers would suddenly trust Cassius to lead them. It would take time before he was fully accepted amongst them.

* - husband

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

The anger bleeds into the air like poison. He takes it in without hesitation, the reaction prompting a dark, malicious smile to curve his lips. Oh, how he missed grabbing her and ripping into her; then fucking her. It was their way - the beauty of brutality. It always had been. Renozuri had never coddled her, nor had she ever asked him to. But he had, indeed, allowed his wives too much leniency. Too much slack on their leads. The power had fed them, given them a confidence to defy him and his wishes. Now he was no longer alive to keep it in check.

The devil could only hope that Cassius was up to the task.
Not that it mattered, given her age.

Soon she would join him in the afterlife.

Icefang is quick to remind him of her accomplishments, as he so expected. Tongue slithers out, sliding along his teeth in a slow, languid motion. One done often in life, even though it was absolutely pointless now. "I had no intention of allowing my name to die with me. I am saddened you had such little faith in me." The hurt is feigned, as Renozuri did not care about any of it. No doubt Icefang had done her part, and he would not deny her that recognition. But there was still so much to do. No matter how much fire still remained in her soul, her body would only last so much longer.

It had been a miserable existence. Feeling so unfulfilled in life, wanting to do so much more, only for time to work it's cruel magics and twist his body with age.

Now, perhaps, she would understand why he had chosen to have his life taken on his own terms. Before he withered much more.

"Cassius has proven himself. The day he killed me. Do you think I simply lay and allowed him to take my life? He has provided my line with new life, he has built himself up. Icefang, you will support him." Toes curl in along the earth, though they did nothing but disappear beneath the surface. Teeth bare as he hisses low, near her ear - his body so close, but cold. Incorporeal. "I urge you to not disappoint me." It was Renozuri's will, his wish. The family needed to trust in Cassius, because if they didn't - they were directly disobeying and disrespecting the devil himself.

code by corvus

While everyone else could see her aging body and the slow decline of her strength, Icefang was ignorant of it. She refused to believe that the day would come where she would be bested. Beaten down from frail bones as her soul stubbornly refused to accept the reality. She could not allow herself to think this way nor acknowledge the truth out of fear that her family’s ambition to their own power might outweigh the urge to keep her alive. Without her ferocity, she was nothing. Without it she could not lead Vermeda Brook nor the aggressive X’uekai. Not even she could anticipate what might happen if the day came where she was forced out of power.

I had no intention of allowing my name to die with me. I am saddened you had such little faith in me.

She bristles at the accusation. “I never did,” she states, the words strained as he floats back in. “Though what can you do from the grave?” A genuine question as she stares through him into the surrounding brook. It was reasonable she would have some doubt. If the afterlife granted him something more, why hadn’t he shown himself sooner?

As Renozuri speaks his demand about Cassius, the queen lifts her chin in defiance. “I already supported him when I birthed his children and declared him my mate,” Her teeth click as the words tumble from her mouth, no longer caring if he felt rage from the fact that she had moved on and given herself to another. A crime that Nikiri had committed and nearly caused her death. Though perhaps in his ghostly form, she felt safe from the repercussions. Or maybe it was the sore spot of Renozuri’s death that made her vocal. “Sounds like something else you should be thanking me for. I am the one that accepted him.” She could have easily pitted the family against him by marking him as an enemy for killing the former patriarch.

“When have I ever?” She growls, annoyed at his subtle warning to not disappoint him. It was the one thing he had been able to count on her for when he was alive.

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

"Must I remind you of how I operate?" He murmurs, his voice that same echoing whisper that haunts the air. Renozuri had always been capable of getting exactly what he wanted, with very little effort involved. "I can delegate." The devil muses, moving to sweep around her. Not touching, just a whisper of a presence, yet still the thick, malicious feel of him was heavy. Slowly he would move around her, wishing he could touch her, taste her, smell her sweet scent. Wishing he could make beautiful, vibrant marks on her that would blossom red.

Death was not, would not be the end for him. Nor her.

At the mention of Icefang bearing his children and declaring him her mate, the devil snorts softly. Renozuri had never been a jealous beast. What happened with Nikiri had been a question of loyalty. Despite Icefang expecting rage, Renozuri would offer none. She had done exactly as he wanted. Expected, even. To continue being a X'uekai, she would need to continue birthing X'uekai children. Without him there, and without being the mate to the current Patriarch, Icefang would never have been made Matriarch. It was a title made specifically to cater to her.

Renozuri hated the idea of it.

But it was a testament to her...that he allowed it.

Icefang's boldness goes too far, finally. Renozuri's jaws clench, a snarl echoes from his jaws. "Do you think that Cassius needs the rest of the family to carry on my legacy? He does not, nor does he need you. It was only at my request, Icefang. Cassius has produced more children in a year than you have your entire life, than any of my other children have. You have accomplished much, I cannot deny that, but do not forget your place." She had tested his patience, and this was the result. Renozuri, despite his cruelty, did not enjoy speaking to Icefang in such a way.

It was a manner of speaking he reserved for others.

In this moment, with her pathetic woman feelings, she was disappointing him. It was clear on his ethereal features; clear in the depths of his gaze, however sightless.

code by corvus

Icefang swallows the snort that rises in her at his comment. While they had spent many years of their lives together, they had followed almost two separate paths. She might of returned home to him each night, but just as he has forced her to list out what she has done she is quite tempted to do the same. The only delegating she could recall from him is what positions he demanded in bed. His despicable acts been done in his own time and (for the most part) out of her way. The ones that had showed up causing problems had been quickly dealt with by her or Nikiri without as much of a second thought. Though when it came to their kingdoms - it had been Icefang who held the whip of control.

She can feel the conversation is swaying in a negative direction and she hates it. She bites her tongue and as the rich taste of iron dances on her tastebuds, she decides she would allow him to show her how he planned to delegate from the grave. If he was so confident about it, she would let him demonstrate his abilities.

Ears pin to her skull when he snarls at her and while the words are cruel, there is nothing she can do about it. He cannot feel physical pain in this form, no matter how much she wants to assault him. Instead, she is a victim to her emotions as her jaw clenches in anger. "They all need me," she snaps, uncaring of the disappointment that casts over her. "My place will always be at the top."

Surged by the ire of his death and the fact he cannot touch her, she is reckless with her words.

"We have nothing more to discuss, Renozuri."

She was, in fact, a woman with feelings.

So, for the first time in her entire life, Icefang turns away from her husband and walks off deciding that it is she who will do the dismissing today.

/exit

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI