It...Lirael...one day you'll fall in love too. And you won't be scared of it. But it's...it's different for me. To love a mortal, knowing it will only end with pain.

[Worse than this? Probably. She remembers losing some human friends ages ago, and how hard it was on them and her, knowing she'd go on without them.]

At least this way...we'll be friends and he can find someone else to love. Like you will. And this way...without him I won't ever, ever forget my promise.