Tyra

IRIS.

I stared blankly at the woman who stood before me, hugging me tight as she breathed into my shoulders, but somehow I couldn't bring my hands to hold her back.

"She's your mother," Caci whispered, earning a frown.

"Do you always come when you are not needed?" I sneered, and she shrugged back in.

"Oh, Iris," the queen l pulled me close, tears soaking my shoulders, "I never knew you'd come to me; I never knew I'd hold you this way."

What to do was the problem; my hands decided not to obey within two seconds, my eyes staring at the room's far end.

"She pulled away from me, her hands cupping my face."

Say something, Iris. Caci pushed, "Say something, and quit mopping around like a scarecrow."

And I said the only thing that came into my head, "You left us; you left Father."

She shook her head, sobbing, "I did it to protect you both. My father swore to kill you once you were born; I couldn't let that happen."

Another reason to have a row with the goddess at night.

"But I didn't stop; I