She's got the devil's eyes
It would be quite amusing were the situation not so serious. Doubly so were she not positive that Lepis believed absolutely in what she was doing - in the righteousness of her actions and surety of success. She had come to realize there is an almost fanaticism that blinds her, driving her forward without allowing her pause to consider all facets.
And that would be her undoing.
Her determination to believe Heartfire powerless had blinded her to the very things occurring beneath her nose. She had only to stop and look to realize that perhaps she should step back. But Heartfire strongly doubts the thought would even occur to her. And that, ultimately, is what had inspired her refusal to discuss the matter with her. She has no interest in talking herself in circles. And while she wouldn’t be entirely shocked if Lepis came to see the light, she knows the likelihood of such a thing occurring very slim.
Still, it would be regrettable if the woman forced her to action. For all that Wolfbane’s betrayal of confidence stings, she does still have a care for him. And, though Heartfire couldn’t quite understand it, he cares a great deal for Lepis.
She doubts the winged woman had even realized it’s the only thing that has stayed her hand thus far. The only thing that had prevented their invasion being met with violence. Was Lepis even aware Lethy had come to her the moment they’d charged in, threats on their lips as they bullied Aten into stepping down?
It seems however, that Lepis had mistaken her mercy for weakness. She doesn’t bother to correct the assumption just yet. It still behooves her to have Lepis believing as she did. Much easier then, for her to miss everything that had already begun snowballing towards her.
“If discussion was your intent,” Heartfire replies finally after a stiff silence, “then you entirely missed the mark.”
Heartfire had offered her the chance to spin the story to her liking. She had chosen not to take it. And Heartfire has always rather had a knack for getting the heart of a matter. Perhaps Lepis had not made the threat verbally, but it was there nevertheless. Only a fool would be blind to it. Lepis might view Aten’s acquiescence as his surrendering to the so-called logic of her demands, but Heartfire knew better. He may have stepped down from the throne, but he had never surrendered.
“Frankly, I am not the one who refused to discuss it,” Heartfire continued after another moment, her eyes bright and flinty as her gaze bores into Lepis. “You did that when you refused to speak with me prior to threatening violence against the North.” Her voice is unyielding as she speaks, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Taiga is of the North, and thus, her move had been just as much against Nerine as it had been the forest. After all, Nerine may as well have been a coin-toss away when that decision was made. “Had you truly wished peace, you would have chosen a different path. The fact that you are even standing here at all with that flimsy crown upon your head is because of your connection to Wolfbane.”
The last is uttered with such icy certainty that there could be no mistaking the promise in her words.
and they'll cut you like a weapon