“It’s like this…a starving man would gladly eat a radish, right? In fact, a radish would be a feast if that’s all he had. But if he had a buffet in front of him, the radish would never be chosen.”

“Is it really you this time, Kells?”“Well, I’m no maggoty corpse, if that’s what you mean.”He grinned. “That’s a relief. No maggoty corpse would be that sarcastic.”

“What would Ren do in Oregon? Would he get a job? What would he put on his resume? High Protector and former Prince of India?”

“Good intentions are not sufficient to creat a positive outcome; you must act. As you take part and become actively engaged, answers to your questions will appear. Lastly, like a great rock is not disturbed by the buffetings of the wind, the mind of a judicious man is steady. He exists as a stanchion, a stalwart support. Others can cling to him, for he will not falter.”

“If a king owned a pearl without price, a gem he cherished above all. Would he hide it away, bury it from sight afraid others would take it? Or would he display it proudly, set it in a ring or crown, so that all the world could behold its beauty and see what richness it brings to his life? You are my pearl without price.”

“Falling for him would be like cliff diving. It would be either the most exhilarating thing that ever happened to me or the stupidest mistake I’d ever make.”

“... A hot shower is going to feel heavenly."He raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to go first.""No, you go ahead."His eyes twinkled as he regarded me, "It would be more heavenly if you told me you wanted to conserve water."My mouth opened in shock. "Kishan!"He winked at me. "I didn't think so. Can't blame a guy for trying.”