and some by virtue fall; Straia

[Kushiel]

Kushiel smirked, a lazy, satisfied smile that said a lot about the state of his mind. He was satiated, like he almost never was. He always wanted, more out of life, always demanded more. More fire, more fun, more tricks, more emotion. Now, in a rare moment, the inferno had burned that away, and the stallion felt an overwhelming sensation. If he didn’t know better, he would almost say it was peace. He nearly laughed at himself. He had thought his flames were a vice. He was thought they were a drug, but maybe not? He put it aside, he would have to consider it later.

“Then I will find Gryffen. I’d be loathe to miss anything that his mind can conjure.” Again, Kushiel smirked. He was quite certain Gryffen was half mad, but Kushiel didn’t hold it against him. There were worst things to be than half mad. There were plenty who thought he, himself, was completely mad. Kushiel thought he knew better. Some days he wasn’t sure.

Kushiel looked at her for a long moment when she asked her next question. It wasn’t that he was reluctant to give her the answer, no, that wasn’t it. It was just that he felt like he was opening a door, and to what he couldn’t be sure.

“Gallows.” He said at last, for really it was the only thing he could say, there was none other that he would suggest.

“You should talk to Gallows, but when you do, keep an eye to your thoughts. She has a way of knowing things without being told.” He knew that giving away that little secret of his mother’s would probably earn him a vicious tongue lashing, but still, Kushiel had some loyalty and wouldn’t knowingly let his queen walk into a trap he had arranged. Kushiel considered their meeting for a moment, and a bright smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“She’s a little like you in that way. I’m sure you two will have much to talk about.” That Kushiel did not doubt it. His mother was a schemer, and he knew that, at the very least, she’d be interested in entertaining Straia’s plans.