The Heartwood Story; two continued.

Priapus' comfort was a sickening sort, and every touch from the other mother watered a thorn bush in Mira. Sharp and deadly things in her spirit- thinking of what a terrible curse upon the world this creature was. She had not harmed Mira's family- (she had by stealing their child, of course, but Mira was not empathetic enough to consider their feelings on her absence,) but she had harmed Mira herself. If there was a reason, she could not find one- and thus believed this was an evil being. The world had to be cleansed of creatures like Priapus.

There was a terror too, in the shift between comfort and pain. This woman loved to cuddle and bite in equal doses- and Mira much preferred Hydra's love and discipline, which had always seemed to come in the form of confident words. She was a merciless queen, but never had she bitten Mira so, only frightened her into obedience for the rules of her world. 

Priapus spoke that she came from her- but Mira growled in her throat. YOU ARE GREY. I AM BLACK. That was how genetics worked, wasn't it? Then again... there was Mintaka, who looked like neither of her parents. MAYBE MY SISTER IS YOURS INSTEAD. She contemplated almost to herself, and wondered whether Mother would be happier without the burden of the ditzy girl.

But the serpent did not think this woman deserved to own her anyway, even if her lies were truth. Where was her mountain, her army? YOU DESERVE NOTHING. IF YOU DO NOT FREE ME, YOU WILL REGRET YOUR CHOICES. Mira was still trying to learn to intimidate but hey, she figured she was getting there well enough.