[Fayura is quiet for a long time, wrestling with Piper's words. She takes no offense, but Piper gave her a perspective she's never had before, and Fayura understands the value in a different perspective. Hell's fire, she brought the Strangers here in part for the hope of a different perspective.
When she finally speaks, her mental voice comes slowly, thoughtfully.]
No life is more or less valuable than another—though if you tell a Warlord Prince his lady's life has the same value as his, he'll dig his heels into the ground and argue with you until you give up. With Princes, it is... there's something inside them that must protect the people they cherish, and because Blood females especially have times of great vulnerability, that protection is often swift and violent.
But a Warlord Prince who kills without provocation... he violates the trust the Blood must have to deal with each other. He doesn't deserve the honor of protecting anyone. A Queen who abuses her social power to harm others doesn't deserve to rule.
There needs to be a justified reason, though I understand many Strangers believe that killing is not and can never be justified. If one of my First Circle killed a witch for no reason, I may not execute him the first time, but I would the second.
With the landen man, I cannot treat him as I would a Blood male because he is not a Blood male. To treat them the same would be a disservice to the very traits that make us unique, and those traits are precious. They should be acknowledged.
[Her wince somehow translates through their connection.]
no subject
When she finally speaks, her mental voice comes slowly, thoughtfully.]
No life is more or less valuable than another—though if you tell a Warlord Prince his lady's life has the same value as his, he'll dig his heels into the ground and argue with you until you give up. With Princes, it is... there's something inside them that must protect the people they cherish, and because Blood females especially have times of great vulnerability, that protection is often swift and violent.
But a Warlord Prince who kills without provocation... he violates the trust the Blood must have to deal with each other. He doesn't deserve the honor of protecting anyone. A Queen who abuses her social power to harm others doesn't deserve to rule.
There needs to be a justified reason, though I understand many Strangers believe that killing is not and can never be justified. If one of my First Circle killed a witch for no reason, I may not execute him the first time, but I would the second.
With the landen man, I cannot treat him as I would a Blood male because he is not a Blood male. To treat them the same would be a disservice to the very traits that make us unique, and those traits are precious. They should be acknowledged.
[Her wince somehow translates through their connection.]
Forgive me. I am prone to rambling.