Things had a habit of never going quite the way you planned, as she was learning.

Young and brash and a little reckless, she had not thoroughly considered all the avenues and possible outcomes of what it would mean to manipulate someone into seizing a crown. For instance, what to do when they decide not to do it anymore. The serpent king had seemed like such a viable option, but choosing to pass his title along to the dragon stallion had been a surprise that left a bitter taste in her mouth. She didn’t like to be surprised, especially not when it endangered the flimsy thread of control she had managed to gain.

The idea of leaving Loess had crossed her mind, but that sounded a lot like failure to her, and so, perhaps aided by a deeply rooted tenacity, she had decided to stay unless the new King told her otherwise. She assumes he would not be ignorant to her previous role, but she does not seek him out the way she has other new arrivals. If he was observant enough, he would know to find her — to either ask her to leave, or to stay.

When he comes before her, draconian and stoic, she meets him with her own analytical stare. He was older than her, and though Vulgaris had been as well — and was still so pliable within her hands—  she can already tell that Castile would not be so easily subdued.

A different tactic, then, and luckily for her, fitting into roles was something she was accustomed to.

”I suppose you could say I planted some ideas in Vulgaris’ head,” and even though it is said nonchalantly, there is a curious uptilt of her lips, and perhaps a trace of satisfaction laced into the too-sweet sound of her voice. She always wondered if the snake-stallion would be irritated at taking advice from virtually a child, but it had been simple enough, and Starsin wasn’t one to pass up opportunity when it had been placed directly in front of her.

But there is a hint of surprise in her dark blue eyes at his last statement, as they hold fast to his ever changing own. He is different from Vulgaris; hungrier, with something more aggressive simmering beneath. That in itself intrigued her far more than anything, and she responds with a lilting laugh and a dip of her silver head,”That depends. Is the new King you?” Her star-studded body steps towards him, that same cavalier yet inquisitive simper perched on her steel-gray lips. ”I’m Starsin, by the way.”

She could not deny that she liked the ring of mastermind when spoken from his tongue. It caused her lips to quirk into an amused but pleased simper, her dark blue eyes glinting as she watches the change in colors flash across his skin. He was certainly proving to be interesting, this newly appointed dragon king. The sudden changing in crowns had been worrisome at first – anything that caught her by surprise she was not fond of – but there was nothing she loved more than a challenge. He had the potential to be one; perhaps not in the usual sense of what she typically took on, but adapting is what she was best at. He wouldn’t necessarily be something to control, but instead perhaps taking that energy that simmered beneath his skin and directing it towards something would be a worthwhile endeavor.

She wasn’t entirely sure what, yet, but she is sure it will come to her soon.

He is thinking of his family, though his thoughts are tangled and racing, difficult to follow because he doesn’t have a tangible grasp on them. But there is enough; his family is predatory, like him. The kinds you wanted on your side, rather than to be facing against. She toys with the beginnings of an idea, though she is distracted away from it when he offers his name. “Castile,” She echoes with her silvery tongue and cloying smile. “I always have ideas. But I need to get to know you a little better first.” Her star-studded body slides closer to him, her gaze sweeping appreciatively along the arch of his neck and the muscled slope of his shoulder. “What can you do, Castile? You are not entirely normal, I can feel that.” She reaches almost as if to touch her satin muzzle to the nape of his neck, close enough for the warmth of her breath to fan across his skin, but she withdraws, tilting her head to look up at him with an insidious simper, “I can read minds. That’s my little secret.”

Ever since her encounter with the magician at the river, she has been cautious when encroaching into another’s mind. It had been the first time she was met with such a solidly closed door, and naively, she had realized it had never occurred to her before that moment that there would be those that could shut her out. It was all part of the learning process; she was still too young, with not enough worldly experience, but perhaps it was a good thing. It required a little more work, but she realised perhaps she didn’t always need to know all their secrets to pull their strings. Words and promises and lust would work just as well.

When she had peered into Castile’s mind, she had been pleased to see she did not encounter any sort of defenses. She had been even more pleased to witnesses the more predatory side of him, but there was something satisfying in feigning ignorance and inquiring about it out loud. When he calls her out, she can’t help but to laugh. “Yes, I did see, actually. I just thought I would be polite and ask you about it.” Did the idea of him being a dragon frighten her?  Perhaps slightly. Not of him, per se, but just the notion of what he was capable of.

She would just have to be careful and stay on his good side, she supposes. Not always her strong suit.

She is quiet and attentive when he speaks of his qualities, and her dark blue eyes shimmer as they watch him. She liked that he was ruthless, but still had the finesse to be approachable and hold a conversation. “My, my, my. You’re really just a jack of all trades, aren’t you?” Something else simmers in the smile that still rests on her lips, a thoughtful shadow falling over her face for just a moment. “Loess is lucky to have you.” And for all her games and silvery words, there is something genuine that rings in that statement. He was a worthy King, at the very least.

“Your family. They must be dragons, too. Will they be joining us?” A kingdom of dragons, and healers? She couldn’t possibly resist that.