“I have never heard a lady say 'arse,'" the emperor said mildly."I haven't been a lady for long," I reminded him. A little demon–made of exhaustion and the emperors smile– pushed me into adding,"For five years I've been saying 'arse.' It's hard to stop saying 'arse' after that many years. I suppose I should stop saying 'arse,' since ladies don't say-""'Arse'," he finished for me. I met his grin.”

“Would everyone stop saying arse!".... "I know, its called an ass, people. Ass”

“I hate fighting with you,” he whispers.“Well, stop being such an arse.”He chuckles and the captivating sound reverberates through his chest. He tightens his hold on me. “Arse?”“Ass.”“I prefer arse.”“You should. It suits you.”

“Don't say anything. Just act cool," I whispered.Mavkel started to shiver."Like this?" it asked."No, I mean act calm."Mavkel stopped shivering.”

“There was a saying that the strength of a man’s steel was only known under the hammer of circumstance. If anyone had asked me a few hours ago, I would have said that nearly five years of boyhood had hammered me into constant fear and excessive caution. But now I realised it had done the opposite. It had shaped me into someone who stepped forwards and reached for what she wanted. It was too late for me to tuck my hands behind my back and wait like a good woman.”

“He grunted. 'You have the courage of a warrior.'I watched him turn away and gather the clothes from the ground. He thought me courageous? But I was terrified - always terrified.'No,' I said flatly. 'I don't."He paused from stuffing the invaluable robe between two bales. 'Are you frightened now?'I nodded, shame flushing my skin.'Is it going to stop you?''No.''That is the courage of a warrior.”

“There was a saying that a man's true character was revealed in defeat. I thought it was also revealed in victory.”