“Maybe she never would have understood. But fuck her.” “Toto!” “No, I mean it. You’ve survived where most wouldn’t. More than that, you’ve faced off against predators thrice your size, protected your mates, and somehow calmed that mad king, from what I was told. Your mother can kiss a mamba. Even without proof, you should hold those accomplishments high.” “Yeah,” I said, smiling. “I guess you’re right.” “If it’s worth anything, if even one of my daughters turned out to be anything like you, I’d be proud to call them my own.”