This isn't romance. This isn't a declaration of love or affirmation of friendship. This is something more.

“Is a person worth more because they have someone to grieve for them?”

“Arjuro made a scoffing sound. ‘You think Lumatere will invade because of you? A…”

“They have a quick verbal exchange but only get to cover the alphabet from A to …”

“There it was. Suddenly the strangeness of Quintana of Charyn's face made sense.…”