A woman of your blood should not be seen in such a state.” Her voice was harsh, mocking, and had a nasal quality to it that the people of Timata found attractive and fashionable. My stomach sunk and tears came to my eyes again. I shouldn’t have expected a different reply from my mother. “Your daughter was almost raped, Otrila,” Greykin said with concern that betrayed his massive size. “But it has been some time since then, and she has made no effort to present an appropriate appearance. It is unacceptable.” Her eyes shone blue and cold like the northern ocean. My mother was beautiful, with hair a lighter shade of blonde than mine and skin the smooth texture and color of summer peaches. Her lip upturned in annoyance at Greykin’s words and I guessed she was about to chastise the Old Bear for questioning her treatment of me. “I am tired of hearing your voice, Otrila. Do not speak again until I address you. If these Ancients come here, and you so much as breathe loudly, I swear on the Spirit of my brother, father, and mother that I will fucking gut you before they kill me.”
