Behind Cael, Princess growled.
"Lies? I need no lies for you, 'Mother'. Look at yourself! You don't fit in the door anymore! What's even the point of your power if you only eat, and eat, and eat? You will eat all the fish in the swamp and move onto humans, and this is just another reason we must kill you!"
"The point of my power, 'Daughter'?" Queen growled back. "It's protecting the Nest from such as you!"
She stood up, becoming even taller, and walked closer to the light. Now Cael saw her ugly snout and her lizard eyes, sharp with predatory intelligence. They peered down at Cael, who was already mentally calculating what spells he would use first. But she didn't attack.