So far, so good. No one had physically barred Cayden and his guards from entrance through the gates. Not that Dinah had expected too much of an aggressive reaction from anyone…not just yet, anyway. It was quite clear those in the courtyard were upset and it damn near broke Dinah’s heart to act this way. They deserved to be informed about what was happening around them. But Dinah had always had her own way of doing things and people did tend to disagree with those things. There had only been a select few occasions in which she’d made a long, public speech or announcement. The young Diente hated the formality of it all. It would have been strange for her to do so now with too much vigor. At least, that was how she saw things. In truth, there was only one place in which she’d be comfortable enough breaching the topic with her people in a large group and getting there tonight with three Avians in tow just wouldn’t be possible. Sha’Mahay was not in the habit of allowing just anyone inside on a whim. Only dancers could just waltz inside without an invitation, and Dinah was no dancer…not anymore, anyway. Thankfully, she had Nara and Eve to help with that.
“It did.” she answered Cayden finally, mostly pleased with how things had come about. It didn’t feel good to lead the Serpiente people on like this, but it was necessary. She might as well get over that fact right then and there. Rumors were going to spread like wild fire throughout the palace as the night progressed, which would serve to prepare everyone for the news tomorrow at least a little. As long as they didn’t storm her quarters overnight, everything would work out just fine. And really, it wasn’t likely that such a thing would happen. Her people may have been more expressive as a whole than the Avian people would ever be, but that wouldn’t mean they were all mindless or impulsive like beasts. Just…some of them, and only some of the time. Regardless of temperament. There were few of them who weren’t loyal enough to her family that they wouldn’t at least give Dinah the benefit of the doubt at least for a few hours. “Everything is fine. Don’t worry.” Dinah gave Cayden’s arm a reassuring squeeze, wanting the most to keep him and his people calm while they were here. If her time spent in the Keep was any evidence, the Avian people may not have expressed anxiety the same, direct way her people did, but it was still clearly detected among them. It had a more potent effect, in her opinion, when they refused to act on it, like they might just explode if someone didn’t put a stop to it in time.
She couldn’t promise him that this would work out like he was wanting. Hell, she still didn’t even know what he expected out of this whole ordeal. Dinah really had no idea what her people would do about her marrying a bloody Hawk, either. Time was the only way answers were going to be found here. What she did know was that she would do everything in her power to make it work and to keep him safe. That’s all either of them could do. The two rulers would set the example for their people by at least pretending to get along while prying eyes were upon them. At least people would expect emotional distance from the Avians, so it wouldn’t be too strange to them. Uncomfortable, yes, but no one would get violent over it.
The pitter patter of footsteps alerted Dinah to the presence of a certain six year old someone, to whom she turned right away. Her being there, unless he hadn’t done what he was instructed, meant that Deccan was also nearby. She took a brief moment to glance upwards, immediately seeing him sulking a few feet away down a nearby hall. Her pulse quickened at the sight, wondering how long it would take him to assault Cayden. So far, he was just standing there watching them, but she could tell it wouldn’t be long. Until he actually did anything, of course, Dinah couldn’t do anything. So instead, she focused on the smaller Cobra before her. Cecil, just like Dinah, had the tell tail traits of a Cobriana. Her hair was long and dark and her eyes were read, but they didn’t have the same face. Dinah carried equal traits from her mother and father. Cecil had a round, heart shaped face and looked to be the spitting image of her mother with big round eyes. If it weren’t for her hair and eyes, one might not have even guessed that the two were related.
The fact that they had different mothers didn’t matter. Blood was blood and Dinah loved Cecil like she was her own daughter, let alone sister. The Cobriana children were all blessed with far more people looking out for and loving them than their own parents. She was no different. Seeing her again was a blessing and it made Dinah feel less worrisome about what was happening. The younger Cobra ran halfway towards the elder with excitement until she noticed that they had company. Stopping mid-step, the child stared at the Avians behind Dinah cautiously, only to be whisked up into her older sister’s arms without warning. Cecil didn’t fight back or resist, but continued to stare. Her behavior was hardly unwarranted. Dinah had always taught her to be careful around people she didn’t know, and had usually educated her on how important it was to stay away from anyone with feathers. No doubt, this was a little confusing to the little one. She didn’t seem at all pleased by the way that she was staring. Dinah half expected her to hiss.
“Cecil.” Dinah whispered though not so quietly as to keep anyone else from hearing, turning the girl’s face from Cayden towards her own with a gentle nudge against her check. “It’s impolite to stare.” Finally, Dinah turned back to Cayden with Cecil still in her arms. “Cayden, this is my sister – and now you’re sister – Cecil. Cecil, this is Cayden, my husband.”
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