[ She's happy to keep letting him, as much he likes. Greedy, needful, some shared vice of royalty, that greed. But even so, it feels good - years and years, that for once it isn't just blood, isn't touching and being touched that isn't soaked in violence and blood. ]

Most wouldn't. We both know that.

[ Neither of them were particularly shocked to the cruelty of others, she'd found. ]

You are marvellous resistant to someone trying to say thank-you, has anyone ever told you?