"It does, it does," Sonia says in the hushed urgency of consolation, her hand finding his and giving it a tight squeeze. She draws closer to him, earnest in her honesty, her wordlessly proffered support.

"It does matter. Serving just one flighty Vor princess isn't enough for you." Her smile is both rueful and wry, but there's an odd note of satisfaction in her voice, almost pride. "You want to serve everyone. You want to serve the greater good."