He gazed upon her as she stormed into his presence like some barbarian goddess of war.  It warmed his heart to see such passion and fire within her, and the signs of power as well.<br/><br/>"How dare I indeed," he countered firmly as he rose and cast his chair back to fade away along with it's well-laden table.<br/><br/>"I am Balthazar the Black!  I dare whatever I please grand-daughter!  You are that much closer to the throne because of what I did.  Or would you rather be the mewling bride of a barbarian prince kept constantly heavy with his children while you watch your brother's regent rule what should be your's?"<br/><br/>He paused then and faced her.  "Go ahead and destroy the bloodstone grand-daugther... if you are certain that will indeed destroy me.  But are you prepared to face an enemy who can be anyone?  And are you prepared to sieze the threads of fate and take the Sun Throne alone?  You need me, Aurora.  Just as I need you.  So let us dispense with hurling petty threats at one another, shall we?"