"It's a little of both," she says. "With that kind of power. Using and...well, being used by it makes it sound coercive, and that's not quite right. Moving through it, and allowing it to move through you, perhaps. There is a kind of pleasure to it, almost akin to the emotional exultation involved in sex, but without the sensual component. It's hard to explain in words, but I think you understand me?"

She smiles. "There is a human song with a lyric I rather like: don't ever tame your demons, but always keep them on a leash. It is applicable. It's important that a wild creature know what they are capable of, for good and for ill. What you choose to do with the power you have makes you who you are. I do not always have full control, but I'm trying. And so are you."

Tucking herself against his shoulder again, she adds, "I'm not angry with the people who hate me for what I've done. I won't be angry at him on your behalf. I accept who you are and what you have done without condition, but I don't require other people to do the same. They have freedom of thought."

"And I urge you to keep the same in mind, should you meet enemies of mine in the Nexus. The ones with the best reasons for mistrusting me are dead--not by my hand--but I never blamed them for hating me."

"As long as my children are treated with kindness, I will have no complaints."