“I’m not sure what you mean to imply,” she said after a long pause. “But if you think I’ve formed some sort of attachment to Dayraven, I assure you such a thing is impossible. I’m wed to my kingdom. No heir or heiress to Asdralad’s throne indulges in friendships, love, or family. According to our traditions, our people’s rulers are sorcerers devoted only to the kingdom. A friend or lover or child would be a distraction, a weakness that others could exploit. Such ties interfere with the ability to make clear, detached decisions for the welfare of the kingdom and with insight into the balance of
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