(...his Thiefly ways from his mum, unofficial though she was)
The Queen Thief knows her fate: her father might not have chosen her, but the god has, and she feels his breath on the back of her neck always. There is another way, than the brutish, bloody traditions Father follows, than the fear she sees in her youngest son's eyes: countries rise and fall on her smiles, factions collapse on a stolen trinket, and the god draws in a breath with surprise.
When her foot slips on the foot, she knows better than to weep or plead; she can only hope she's managed to teach Eugenides something.
I am convinced--given what we learn about Gen's grandfather--that he must have learned....
The Queen Thief knows her fate: her father might not have chosen her, but the god has, and she feels his breath on the back of her neck always. There is another way, than the brutish, bloody traditions Father follows, than the fear she sees in her youngest son's eyes: countries rise and fall on her smiles, factions collapse on a stolen trinket, and the god draws in a breath with surprise.
When her foot slips on the foot, she knows better than to weep or plead; she can only hope she's managed to teach Eugenides something.