“I'm no longer a daughter.No longer a granddaughter.No longer a girl with dreams. With hope.I'm a weapon, now.”

“He pulls me to a stop in front of a stall selling steaming hot stew of beef an onions. "Two please.""It's too expensive," I whisper to him, even though I know he won't listen.he treats me one of his wide, gentle smiles, his dark eyes shining. "Who else am I going to spend my money on? I already know you won't let me buy you and of the pretty, frilly things girls your age like to have, and I'm not about to purchase another weapon to add to your collection.""Because I don't like pretty, frilly things. And there's nothing wrong with having a nice collection of weapons.”

“What's the use in being diplomatic? I'd rather just pull my weapon and wing it.”

“You're worth so much more than anything I can give you. If you can't believe that right now, believe in me.”

“I ache to hear her tell me she loves me, but forcing her to put words to how she feels pushes her further into the silence she seems comfortable calling home now. I tell myself to be patient and understanding, but inside there's a longing only those words will fill, and it hurts to ignore it.”

“...because on some basic, soul-deep level within me, he is the solid ground beneath my feet.”

“I need you, Logan. Just you"I tighten my grip on her tunic. "Why?""Because I still love you." Her voice catches. "I never stopped. I thought I had. I wanted to. But somehow .. it's like a part of you lives inside the most important part of me, and I don't know how to separate the two." Tears spill over, tracing a glistening path down her cheeks. "I love you, Logan"Joy surges through me, brilliant and wild. I cup her face in my hands and wipe away her tears. "I love you too, Rachel. Always" And then I do my best to use the full hour I've been given to kiss her senseless.”