Pearl's mind has always been vividly able to create mental images, and now this one grows unbidden: some filthy human man, smudged with forest dirt and cervid blood, climbing into Rose's arms...fisting his crude hands in her magnificent curls...forcing his panting bearded mouth against Rose's, touching her with his stinking breath. It makes her slightly queasy. She looks away from Rose, looks back at her. Rose is still looking at her, knowing.

"That's ridiculous!" she bursts out. "Make you theirs? You're a Gem, and a-- they're-- inferior. You shouldn't allow them to to take liberties, and you don't have to! If you-- I could--"

She cuts herself off abruptly, subsiding.