“With my life comes my heart, yours now to crush or cherish as you will. It is my hope you will have a care in keeping both.”

“By your father's word has your life been given to me to protect. Now do I give you my life in return, yours to keep until the day I die.--Falon to Shanelle”

“You better think real carefully before you say anything, cateyes, because if you give me your love, I’m not going to let you take it back. I can’t keep worrying about whether or not I can make you happy. I’ll try my best but there isn’t going to be any changing your mind later. Do you understand what I’m saying? If you’re going to be my woman, there’s no way in hell I’ll ever let you go.”

“His eyes were cold steel, his mouth fixed in a hard line. "I like my face the way it is," he said icily. "You scar it with your nails as you did my chest and I swear I will give you equal scars. Think about that, Sam, before you use your claws again."Tears sprang to her eyes. "You're cruel, Hank. You leave me nothing.""And what did you leave me when you stole my heart?" he asked softly.She stared back at him, searching his eyes, seeing only naked honesty.”

“You are not my wife yet, to concern yourself in my affairs.""And when I am your wife?"His conscience pricked him, making him snap, "You will learn not to question me."-Royce to Corliss-”

“Is there a reason you are here?" he finally demanded.With complete nonchalance she replied, "Well,I've brought my trunks. I do believe I'm moving in.""The hell you are!""Nice of you to welcome me in your usual boorish manner" was all she said to that.A muscle ticked in his jaw. It made not a jot of difference that he'd just gone to Norford and back this morning to bring her here himself. That had been his idea.Her coming here on her own was her idea,and it make him suspicious."Don't start your manipulations already," he warned her. "Answer my question.""Why am I still here? Shall we start with the obvious reason? Because I really am pregnant and once my pregnancy starts to show,I do not want to be in a position to have people ask me who my husband is and not believe me when I tell them that it's you.""And the not-so-obvious answer?""Because you make me so furious that I spite myself to spite you!”

“And what makes you think I'm going to do anything you say?""Because for the time being you are legally mine,and that means you will obey me."She nearly choked she drew in her breath so sharply. "Do not count on that,St. John.I don't care what rights you think this mockery of a marriage gives you,as far as I'm concerned,you don't even exist.Do I need to be more explicit?""No,I believe we have come to a mutual agreement to forget about each other, which suits me just fine.As long as you do nothing to gain my notice, which means you stay at your home for the duration.""Your threats don't scare me."He lifted a brow at her. "No? Then you really must have some odd notions about marriage,if you think you can do as you please now.Ask your mother if you doubt me."He walked away,and she didn't bother to look where. They were man and wife and would be until he got their marriage annulled. What a rude awakening that was going to be in three or four months' time.For him.”