“Genet raised his hand, and I squeezed my eyes shut, sure I would be receiving the worst backhanded slap of my life.Genet froze and whimpered, but didn't back away."Oh, ho," said a familiar voice. "That was close !" I opened my eyes as North's free hand - the one that hadn't caught Genet's wrist - gently pulled my arm free. I pushed myself away from both of them."You interrupt my business ?" Genet sputtered. "Do you know what this wench just accused me of being ?""A filthy pig," North said good-naturedly. "But there's only one filthy pig allowed in her life, and the position's been filled.”

“...crackers..." a voice breathed out nehind us, "yesss..."Both of us turned, watching as Chubs twisted around in his seat and settled back down, still fast asleep. I pressed a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. Liam rolled his eyes, smiling. "He dreams about food," he said. "A lot.”

“No part of you is dark or ugly,' I said sharply, squeezing his hand. 'Not to me, not ever. Do you understand?”

“Seeing that my words had done absolutely nothing to pull North from whatever depths he was clinging to, Owain did what came naturally. He smacked North upside the head hard enough to send him sprawling into the window. And when it seemed that North would turn around and return the favor, Owain hit him again, harder.”

“I'm trying to feel sorry for you, really I am,"North said."If you wait just a moment I'm sure the tears will come.”

“Up! you bag of bones!" "Magister? Gods i was hoping that was a dream.......You're disturbing Ms. Mirabil!!! "She's awake!! North said, kicking off his covers and kneeling beside my bed, a bright smile on his face. "Hullo my beautiful beautiful darling, feeling better today??”

“I hugged him without any kind of fear or self-consciousness, fiercely, with a rush of emotion that almost brought tears to my eyes."I could kiss you!" Chubs cried."Please don't!" I gasp out, feeling his arms tighten around my ribs to the point of cracking them.”