"She is. Though she's as often to be found squeaking in protest when her big brother decides she's pushed herself far enough as she is to be found doing grand magics." He let the memories of her help to further soothe him. "She never wanted to rule, she says. But She's the best Queen any of us could have asked for. Even now that she claims she's retired and just rules a small area, she's still the Queen."

He leaned back a bit, trying to gather his control again. "I thank you for the offer, but I suspect that cousin you mentioned could do more for me than any male friend could, no matter how well meaning. And you are right. We do all have scars. I guess the only benefit to being one of the shorter lived race is that we don't have to live with ours as long."