“Again", he said.She wanted to scream, but she tried to do as he said. And failed. "Again.""Stop saying that! You sound like a fucking Teletubby!”

“Deven tilted his head again, set down his glass, and said, "Any fight between us, my Lady, will be short and unpleasant.""Just like you." Miranda bit back.Silence.Then Deven laughed.Miranda didn't, but she felt the tension in the air dispel and sat back with her wineglass."I like her," Deven told David. "She's bright and fearless, just like they say. Give her fifty years and she'll be a force of nature.”

“He wondered if perhaps, subconsciously, he was trying to sabotage her efforts by setting the bar too high, trying to keep her with him longer; but surely his subconscious wasn't that stupid?”

“god, can you imagine getting married at nineteen?" miranda asked. "when i was nineteen i didnt even know how to do my own laundry." she added, for david's beneit, "you know, laundry? washing your own clothes? there are people who do that."he rolled his eyes. "i know how to do laundry. i watched my wife do it dozens of times.”

“...she is careful who she sleeps with, because only those willing totreat her witht he same reverence are worthy of her attention....you are the Goddess, and "all acts of love and pleasure" are your rituals”

“faith gaped at him"how the hell did you do this?" He looked at her as if she'd asked the dumbest question in history. "I'm brilliant.”

“she decided no human man would ever touch her again. the doors to her body and heart were already locked, and she would give the key to only one man, perhaps someday...perhaps never...but all the same she didnt care about falling in love, or getting married, or any of that, anymore. it was too late for mortal men to stake any sort of claim to her affections. if she grews old and died alone, it would be in full posession of her heart.and if she ever gave it, she would give it eternally, and without regret.”