“Hope is a dangerous thing, Raisa thought. Once kindled, it's hard to put out. It makes wise people into fools.”

“A moment later, Cat hurtled back into the room as if chased by demons. She stationed herself in front of Raisa, a knife in either hand, all of her genteel patina swept away. "Cuffs! Look sharp! It's him, the whey-faced, gutter-swiving, prig-napping bastard! He's here!"Han looked as mystified as Raisa. "Who's here?”

“So you questioned him?" Raisa prompted. "What did he say for himself?""Well, the first thing Gillen does is steal his purse and beat him with a club." Amon said.”

“Oh, I am getting married," Raisa said sleepily. "You promised me that if I agreed to marry you, that you would make it happen." She extended her hand, the one with the ring Han had given her, and waved it under his nose. "So. It's time to pay up.”

“I need to go to parties, Raisa mused, so I don't think so much.”

“He swept Raisa up into his arms and kissed her like it was his first, last, and only”

“Just tell me you don't love me, and I'll let the matter drop.""What?""What I said. Just say, 'Rai, I don't love you and I never will'. It's that simple.""Raisa, this is getting us nowhere.""Say it!”