“We were screwed and he didn't even kiss us first.”

“Where is the bane of my existence?""In the shower, freshening up."Damn it all to hell. "Oh God, who did Ascanio screw now?""No, no, he's covered in blood.""Oh good." Wait a minute. "The kid is covered in blood and we're relieved. There is something wrong with us.”

“What do you mean fainted?Took a dive, kissed the pavement. Swooned like a southern belle after her first kiss. Had a dreadful case of the vapors.”

“Kate leaned back against her chair. "Where is the bane of my existence?""In the shower, freshening up.""Oh, God, who did Asciano screw now?""No, no, he's covered in blood.""Oh good." She sighed and stopped. "The kid is covered in blood and we're relieved. There is something wrong with us.”

“Congratulations," he said, his voice dry. "You finally managed to find a woman as tragically noble as yourself. I didn't think one existed.""I'm not tragic."Kaldar held up his hand. "Spare me. Some children are born wearing a silk shirt; you were born wrapped in melancholy. When they slapped you to make you cry, you just sighed heavily and a single tear rolled from your eye." He dragged his finger from the corner of his left eye to his cheek. " Your first words were probably 'woe is me.'""My first words were 'Kaldar, shut up!' because you talked too much. Still do.”

“We Draytons are many things: pirates, witches, rogues...but nobody ever accused us of being ungrateful. A family has to have standards. Even in the Edge.”

“Our stares connected and we were quiet for a long minute, united by our misery. At least he understood me and I understood him."A fine pair we make,” he said."Yeah.”