Queen Stygius

The second Queen in the Drylands, Stygius, was born of the first Queen, Sulphur, and a foreign King from a far away land. She inherited from that strange lion his peculiar look, being born Primal.
Upon seeing her mother die of old age, Stygius sought to learn more about her heritage. She decided to visit the birthplace of her mother and travelled to the Great Desert to meet her mother's former pride. While the relations between the two prides were courteous, visits to the Desert were rare and her arrival was met with surprise. Still, the King Aerugino decided to use the visit as an excuse to celebrate. The self-absorbed King was quickly despised by the young Stygius who then sought to avoid King Aerugino at all costs. In doing so, she wandered the Volcano alone.
When she came back to the Drylands, her fur was marred in infernal smoke and ash but she never told the tale to anyone. It is rumored she was simply blessed by the spirit of the Great Volcan or she offered a sacrifice to an infernal being.
When the first king died, she was quickly chosen by his successor, King Teneat per Tenebras, to rule by his side. Her peculiar appearance and great leadership was well-regarded by all, and the choice was met with celebrations.