“Ah, damn it, lass,’he called after her. ‘I’ve busted my stitches wide open.”What?’she cried, hurrying back to him. ‘Let me see!”Ah-ha!’ He snared her around the waist, dragging her down with him to his lap.’You still care for me!”

“He stalked up behind her to clench her hips, and she stilled.In a breathy voice, she asked, “You’re going to make love to me again, aren’t you?”In answer,he lifted her onto the counter, tore off her shift, then pressed her naked body back into the blooms.”

“Was it just her, or did lovers look more adoringly at each other in this city? Especially in the springtime.’Die, bastards.’She sighed. It wasn’t their fault that they were bastards who should die.”

“I said alone!”He nodded in agreement. “Aye, you usually say that, and I still stay. It’s our way.”

“Regin the Radiant and Emmaline Troy: ‘Alrighty then, have it your way- you’re on your own… Now, if you come across a leech, no offense, remember your training.”None taken. And would that be the sword training where you fly past my defenses and swat me on the ass, chirping, ‘Dead!’? Another swat. ‘Dead!’? Yeah, I’ll get right on that.”No, that would be the training where you sprint like hell whenever you hear that I’m looking for you to train.”

“And he’d railed at her, his voice booming so loud the bed had seem to shake. “You canna do this – take my goddamned heart and then leave me! You think I will no’ follow?” She knew he was constantly there, was aware of his movement and comprehended his words, but she couldn’t seem to open her heavy eyelids or speak.At night, he would wrap his body around hers, keeping her warm, whispering against her hair, “You enjoy being contrary. Then prove them all wrong and get better.” He’d clutched her hip, then balled his fist there.”

“What’s your favorite place to visit?” He absently answered, “Wherever you are.” “Bowen, five things about you can’t all be about me.” But you’re the only good thing that I’ve got.”

“Emma turned to him, bottom lip trembling. “For me?” “Always for you. All things for you. He coughed into his fist “All your own.”

“I take no actions that I wouldn’t publicly recount. If you can’t speak your deeds, then don’t do them.”

“You’ve maddened me for you…have changed everything. So, I’m going to f*ck you long and hard, beauty, because if I’m to be enslaved by you-I want to be your master as well. ”

“When she absently worried her bottom lip with one of her adorable little fangs, he sighed.The Enemy of Old fucking sighed.Dear gods, it’d finally happened to him.Happiness.Then his own fangs sharpened.I will kill anyone who tries to take this feeling away from me.”

“Nix to Declan:Begin transcript—Testing. Hello, hellooo, anybody out there? Check, check, one, two. Soft pee. Puh, puh. Resonance! Sooooooft pee. Alpha bravo disco tango duck.This is Nïx! I’m the Ever-Knowing One, a goddess incandescent, incomparable, and irresistible. But enough about what you think of me. It’s a beautiful day in New Orleans. The wind is out of the east at a steady five knots and clouds look like rabbits … But enough about what you think of me!Now, down to business—Squirrel!Where was I? [Long pause] Why am I in Regin’s car? Bertil, you crawl right back out of that bong this minute!Oh, I remember! I am hereby laying down this track for Magister Declan Chase. If you are a mortal of the recorder peon class, know that Dekko and I go waaaaay back, and he’ll go berserk (snicker snicker) if he doesn’t receive this transmittal. …Chase, riddle me this: what’s beautiful but monstrous, long of tooth but sharp of tooth and soft of mind, and can never ever tell a lie?That’s right. The Enemy of Old can be very useful to you. So use him already.P.S. Your middle name’s about to be spelled r-e-g-r-e-t.And with that, I must bid you adieu. Don’t worry, we’ll catch up very soon. …[Muffled] Who’s mummy’s wittle echolocator? That’s right—you are!—End transcript”

“Darwin says people like you need to die.” (Carrow)”

“When she scooped up her clothes, opened his door, then snapped her fingers for a guard down the hall, Wroth watched like a bystander. “Pssst. Minion. I need these laundered. Very little starch. Don’t just stand there gawking or you’ll anger my good frenemy General Wroth. We’re like this.”He couldn’t see her but knew she was twining two fingers together.”

“This is what it’s all been about with you,” he said in an even tone. “All the fear, allthe running. The nightmares.” When she nodded, he said, “You called him the devil.””He is.” What are you thinking, Scot?”But you… married him?”MacRieve’s disgusted with me. “Basically? Yes.””Ceremony and everything?”She swallowed. “He tricked me into it. I-I was only sixteen.”A muscle ticked in his cheek and his irises grew pale. “Then know this…”She stopped breathing.”Lass, I’m about to make you a widow–”