"I hope so. I don't want to hurt her. I'd never forgive myself if I did. Queens do not attack each other." She was comfortable where she was, and it made her drowsy again.

"It does. But I don't like the future that waits for me." That still felt so childish, she should be happy to do her duty, it was what she was born to do.

"... Does he?" She laughed quietly. "Glad to know. I have a terrible feeling I'm an open book to him. That's so settling. I'm not used to being unsettled. Men are usually so predictable to me."