Broken Boulder no, i never sold my soul

the nerve of this miserable wretch!  her chocolate-dappled hackles raised to full height and she forced herself between queenie and her brother as she began her tirade.  queenie's temper had been allowed to remain unchecked for far too long and no longer would eris stand around while she disrespected her brother, her children, the very ground she stood on.  

you want to mistake our kindness for weakness?  their borders were patrolled and they were patrolled well; how else would anyone know the sanctuary lay within?  it is no sacrifice.  it is your job.  you knew that when you made the decision to get pregnant.  you were offered a way out, through my body, before they were here.  and now that they're born, they're here, you're going to?  what?  let them starve because it's easier for you to kill them slowly by neglecting them than by the much less likely jaws of a stranger?

she snarled savagely, chin tucked low.  try to fight him, i dare you, for he is not alone here.  he has me.  he has zamael.  and even if you won?  who would submit to you?  their faces flashed through her mind — zamael, ulf, lily.  even if the pack was not loyal to alarian... she was sure they would rather follow what queenie thought was a coward than someone who would willfully starve her children.