Of course, she never wanted to actually have any control over him, or lord over him. The whole appeal to him, in any form, was his sense of self and independence, yet dependency on her. Something about it both appalled and interested Alexiel, like now. She might have frowned at his words, but instead Alexiel's expression just remained frozen at something like neutral. There were always lies between them, even to themselves.

Finally, she responded to Kira. "No, I wouldn't. You know that." Oh, but to trick him half-way there, to have him on his knees? Alexiel wouldn't mind that for a moment, not at all.

But also, she had to tell him.... Alexiel leaned down, putting her lips mere inches away from Kira's, one hand going to his cheek to hold his face lightly, and she added, "You've always been foolish when it comes to me. Even from the beginning."