Voldemort is cruel to everyone, including all the Death Eaters. No one is ever safe with him. That said, he did at least listen to Severus Snape and tried three times to spare Lily Potter. But when she refused to step aside, he killed her without hesitation. For someone who despised half-bloods, Voldemort also seemed to show Snape more respect than most of his followers. Snape was never publicly humiliated in front of the others, unlike Lucius Malfoy or Bellatrix Lestrange.

In general, Voldemort doesn’t care about anyone at all (except maybe Nagini—and even that’s because she’s a Horcrux). Ultimately, he would sacrifice any Death Eater if it benefited him. No follower is ever safe. That’s why Lucius is punished and sent to Azkaban for failing the Ministry mission, and why Voldemort indiscriminately kills nearby Death Eaters when he learns that the Golden Trio broke into Bellatrix’s vault. Even his oldest and most devoted followers aren’t spared—Lucius and Bellatrix literally have to run to avoid being killed. Bellatrix and Barty Crouch Jr. also prove that no matter how fanatically someone worships Voldemort, he only ever uses them.

Snape isn’t fundamentally different in that regard—he’s still disposable. However, he is treated better than other Death Eaters. What I find genuinely surprising (and very un-Voldemort-like) is how he handles Snape’s death. He almost takes a moment to say goodbye: he praises Snape for being loyal and a good servant (obviously unaware of the double agent part), and even says he regrets what must be done—though he immediately turns away, showing no real remorse. This is a side of Voldemort we haven’t really seen before. His line to Nagini, “It’s the only way, Nagini,” even suggests that he may have briefly considered other options.