“He expects nothing, she thought, because he's never had anything. And nothing was expected of him. He was free in a way she never would be.”

“He would find a way to make it work, because he finally understood that sometimes you have to raise your expectations. And sometimes you need to make a claim on the world and the people you love to get what you most desire”

“He keeps this up, he's bound to be caught, she thought. And this time they'll dangle him for certain.”

“The bluejacket girlie rode like a clan warrior, but there was no way she'd escape. It was a private life-and-death contest that had nothing to do with him.He told himself he should ride on, grateful that the chase would keep them occupied while he took a different path.But what had he told Rebecca when she'd asked what he meant to do when he returned to the Fells?'I'm tired of people in power picking on the weak. I'm going to help them.”

“Han stroked her hair, shifting his body under her. “Why? What are you afraid of? Thieves or wizards?”“Both,” she said.“Is it because I‟m not a blueblood?” He asked this matter-of-factly, as if he really wanted to know.“That‟s the least of it,” Raisa said, taking a shuddering breath. “This is just going to lead to heartbreak, and I refuse to have my heart broken again.” She looked up at him. “I thought I could play at love. I thought I had the right, same as — as any courtier or a — a streetlord.”He shook his head. “Rebecca, listen, I—”“But I‟ve found out I‟m not made that way,” she interrupted. “I can‟t play this game if my heart‟s not in it. That‟s me personally. I‟m not judging anyone else.”“I see,” he said. He tightened his arms around her, brushing his fingers along her collarbone, setting her nerves tingling. “What‟s your heart saying now?”She wanted to be honest with him, even though she‟d probably pay for it. “I‟m in trouble,” she whispered.”

“And, like a fool, she kissed him back. Kissed him a way that would leave no doubt about the way she felt about him. Kissed him because she knew the chances were slim she'd have very many kisses like that in her lifetime. Which is a sad thing when you're only seventeen.”

“If he even survives." She shivered, and Amon put his arm around her, drawing her into his steady warmth."It's that bad?"Raisa nodded. "He looked...he looked awful, Amon. Willo doesn't know if he'll...She's worried about him. My mother died, and I never got to tell her that I loved her, that I finally understood - just a little anyway. If Han dies too, I don't know what I'll do.”