Michelle Zink

“I've begun to wonder if that's all we really need. Just one person who knows us truly. One person who knows the darkness that lies within and believes in us anyway.”

“Some things must be done however much we wish to avoid them.”

“I am not my mother. I love her, but I am not her.”

“But I know that in order to get to the end of a thing, one must start at the beginning.”

“Still, experience has taught me that knowing one's enemy is key to winning any battle.”

“She appreciated his protection, of course, but she was not sure if she wanted to be looked at... as if she were fragile. A thing to hold gingerly, as one holds a delicate rose, careful not to bump its silken petals lest they should spill to the floor.”

“Her soul was as cold as the air that bit through London in winter, her grief a shadow to the vengeance....”

“but I learned long ago that it does no good to think too far into the future. There is only here. Only now.”

“Time—and all the events held therein—plays out as it must. We cannot impose our will on it. The only true measure of strength is our ability to bear that which time demands.”

“Keeper scum.”“That’s offensive coming from a wraith. I think I’m going to have to defend my honor.”

“She didn’t know why it should seem strange that Darius fancied someone, but even as little as she knew him, it already seemed improbable, though not as improbable as someone fancying him in return.”

“You've become my friend, and I love you."It was right and true and that made saying it easy.She heard the surprise in the intake of his breath."And I, you, Helen. I think I've loved you since the moment you first stood on my doorstep." He paused. "But now, I really must insist that you sleep. My love will still be here when you wake up.”

“Don't you see, Helen? There would be no life for me now without you in it."He covered her hand with his own, bringing it to his lips."I need to know that you're mine. That I alone have your heart.”

“He's a clever little thing, isn't he?"She leaned in to drop a kiss on the kitten's soft head, reaching to move him off Griffin's chest. He reached for her hand, stopping her."And what about me?" he asked, his eyes burning into hers."What about you?""Am I not clever enough for a kiss?" His voice was gruff.She favored him with a shy smile."You're more than clever enough, Griffin Channing.”

“Excuse me," Helen interrupted. "Did you say sewage tunnels?"Darius grinned. "That I did, Princess.”

“Whether or not Darius is pleased doesn't matter.' Griffin's voice took on a hard edge, and for a moment, he almost sounded like his brother. 'He has what he needs. He always has. Now...' he began.'Yes?' she prompted.'I need you,' he said.”

“I must confess I will miss your... proximity when jumping together.''Well,' she said, answering his smile with one of her own.'There's always sickle training in the ballroom.''That there is.”

“I'm only trying to pull my own weight. I don't want to be a liability.' She reached out, smiling. 'And I would imagine I'll still be required to maintain close contact with you while I learn. At least in the beginning.'He looked at their joined hands before turning his eyes to hers, a slow smile spreading across his own lips.'It would be, ahem, wise to maintain physical contact while learning, that is true.”

“I think I should learn to jump on my own soon, don't you?''And deprive myself of the opportunity to be near you?' His voice was husky in her ear, his breath tickling the tender skin of her neck. 'That seems foolish on my part, but if you'd like to learn, I'll teach you.'She nodded, her voice stuck in her throat.'Very well,' he said. 'But not tonight. Tonight you'll stay with me.”

“I'm not very good with anything physical...' she began as they turned down a hallway she had never seen.He flashed her a grin as they walked. 'I find that hard to believe.'She caught the innuendo in his voice and felt a blush creep to her cheeks.'You know what I mean.”

“Perhaps because it seems so appropriate, I don't notice the rain. It falls in sheets, a blanket of silvery thread rushing to the hard almost-winter ground. Still, I stand without moving at the side of the coffin.”

“I avoid looking at the clock, fearing the slow passing of time that will only seem slower if I watch its progress.”

“I shake my head. "Remember, Mother. There are no mistakes." She smiles through her tears, leaning in to kiss my cheek "No mistakes, my angel.”

“I recall his somber eyes during that last, private conversation. His eyes and his words, far too wise for a boy of ten: only time will tell, Lia. In the end, I suppose it will.”

“I love you anyway, Lia," he calls after me. "Until time tells, I mean."I turn to him and smile, loving him more in this moment than any other. "Until time tells, then, Henry, and beyond. I love you as well.”