There was just something about the woman that stood in front of her that Samantha liked immediately. There was no way to describe it, no way to know for sure that she was right. It was just a gut feeling that she could trust the woman in front of her, and that was all that Samantha felt content to go off of. That the girl said she could have been better, and had never had the pleasure of interacting with a queen before, Samantha just laughed, shaking her head. "I have a very, very small monarchy. I would consider myself more of a student council president rather than a queen, but tradition dictates my title, I'm afraid." It was a tease, of course, one intended to make her companion relax. It seemed to work, her companion seeming to be happy enough as she fell into step before her. She could feel the amusement that seemed to radiate from her companion at Sam's words, though the fae made no effort to acknowledge that. No, it was better, for now, to keep her power to herself.

It is only when the woman beside her speaks her name does Samantha turn her head, nodding along to her. "Vhal, then. It seems we both have a preferred shortened version of our name," She grinned. "I promise, I will never call you anything worse. Unless you have a hatred of pet names. I have been known to call people honey or sweetie. But I don't think that's necessarily worse, no?" There was nothing but the genuine sweetness that always seemed to radiate from Sam in her tone, the girl rather serious in her intent to be nothing but kind to the girl. Instead, she merely strode in silence as they walked, only stopping to give Vhal a warning about Dorian. "I mean it," She said to the quirked brow she was offered, her features falling into the serious look she so rarely used. "That may be the one thing to get my wrath. He's under my protection, which means he's under the protection of the Nightshade pack, as well. If you know who I am, you must know my connection with their leader."

The seriousness in her tone evaporated the instant she let them into the apartment, reaching to flick on the light. The apartment was nice, a gift from Aiden since her previous apartment had been a complete disaster â€" his excuse being that he could no longer bare to sleep on the futon couch she called a bed. It was industrial, the spiral staircase being her favorite feature only second to the brick walls. The kitchen held her favorite item, however, the electric tea kettle that had been a present from her boyfriend. The most thoughtful of gifts, and one of her most used items. Sam remained content to busy herself with making the tea, getting the water on to boil before she fetched two mugs, her gaze turning them to answer the question of the woman in front of her.

"I trust you," Sam replied simply, offering the woman a shrug as though it were the simplest explanation in the whole world. Vhal had good points, of course. She didn't know the woman, didn't know if the blood was hers or someone else's. "I imagine the blood belongs to someone else, seeing as you don't seem to be hurt. Which means that you were likely the attacker, not the attackee. And yet... you know I saw you on that street, and you offered me nothing but kindness. I hardly perceive you as a threat."

She turned then, moving to finish making the tea before she placed the steaming mug in front of her, then the bowl of sugar. "I have milk, as well, if you prefer it. Dorian likes his with citrus, so we have some of that in the fridge if you would like that, as well." The woman stood opposite Vhal on the counter, cupping the mug in her hands to warm herself. "If there's one thing you should know about me... well two things, actually, is that I think the best of people until they prove me otherwise. The second is that I'm more powerful than I look. I didn't become a queen by accident, even if I protest and tell you that I only have a small monarchy. I have no doubt that I could protect myself, should you try to hurt me." The last bit was a lie, of course, though there was no reason for Vhal to know that. "But I don't think you will. You're interested in me. I can feel that. But you're also lonely, and I doubt you'll harm someone like me. Someone who is interested in you." It was the smallest inkling of her power that she allowed Vhal to see, the empathic abilities she possessed allowing her to feel Vhal's emotions as though she were her own.