👑💫 Ink, Grief & Badassery: What Kriia’s Tattoos Really Mean
👑💫 Ink, Grief & Badassery: What Kriia’s Tattoos Really Mean
If you’ve read even one chapter of House of Teeth, you already know Kriia Thomas isn’t exactly a subtle character. She’s sharp, guarded, and unapologetically herself—but it turns out, she’s also walking around with half her life story written on her skin.
Her tattoos aren’t just for looks (though, let’s be honest, they look incredible). Every one of them comes from somewhere raw—grief, survival, rage, control. So let’s break them down. The visuals, the hidden meanings, the stuff she’ll neveradmit out loud.
💀 So, What’s the Deal with Clan Shaethvir?
Kriia comes from a secretive, ancient Elven clan called Shaethvir, which translates to something like “Reapersmiths” or “Those Who Shape the Dying Breath.”
Casual, right?
They were rumored to be the first ones to forge Reaper blades back in the Age of Duality. Their magik doesn’t just involve shadows—it’s death-channeling. Every weapon they make is forged with whispers from the Veil. That’s right: sentient weapons.
Clan Symbol: An open mouth, stitched shut in silver.
A reminder: Death is sacred. Speak softly, or not at all.
❌ The Red Xs – The Veil Marks
Where they are: Just under each outer eye
Meaning: A ward against illusions... and memories
In some Elven groups, these red Xs were tattooed to keep out spirits and twisted mirages. But for Kriia, they’re more personal.
After watching her father die—and making the brutal call to dispose of the body herself—she inked these on. Her way of saying: “I didn’t see that. You didn’t see me. No one sees anything.”
It’s guilt. It’s armor. It’s her line in the sand.
🤍 Two White Lines – The Grieving Sigils
Where they are: Right under her eyes
Nickname: “Tears That Don’t Fall”
These were originally mourning marks, meant to be temporary. Kriia made them permanent.
She never cried after her dad died. Never let herself. So now the tears live under her eyes in ink, so no one—especially her—ever forgets the weight she carries.
⚪ The White Stripe – The Mourner’s Path
Placement: A vertical line down her face
Purpose: For those who couldn’t be buried
Old Elven traditions believed if someone died and their body wasn’t laid to rest, their soul could get trapped in the Veil. The stripe was painted on the mourner as a guidepost—a way to help the soul find its way back.
Kriia threw her father’s body into the river. For survival. For necessity. But she knows part of his spirit is still wandering.
This is her silent “I’m sorry.” Her way of carrying him forward until he can rest.
🎀 The Lace Bows – Reclaiming the Gaze
Location: Back of each thigh
Mood: "Touch and I bite."
These bows are... not for decoration.
In a job where Kriia had to perform, dance, and sell the illusion of availability, these bows were her middle finger. She framed her own body like a gift—but one you don’t get to unwrap.
“You want the ribbon off? You better be ready to bleed.”
They’re playful. They’re theatrical. But they’re also a battle cry.
🌊 The Fenwyll River – The Memory Map
Placement: The back of her neck
Design: A top-down silhouette of the river
It’s the river where she left her father’s body. The place where her childhood truly ended.
This tattoo is part map, part memory, part penance.
She doesn’t talk about it. She doesn’t have to. It’s always with her.
Final Thoughts (If Kriia Would Let Us Get Sentimental)
Kriia’s tattoos aren’t cute details. They’re confessions. Rebellions. Survival spells.
Every mark is earned. Every line means something.
And in a world full of secrets and shadows, sometimes ink is the only truth left.
Haven’t Started the Series Yet?
✨ Good news: Book 1 (and the full audiobook!) are FREE right now on Kindle and Google Play.
Get caught up before Book 4.5 hits shelves on August 31st — and things get real steamy.
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