“This is all quite fascinating," Grimalkin said, his voice slurring in my ears, "but instead of posing and scratching the ground like rutting peacocks, perhaps you should look to the girl.”

“I could practically hear the unspoken ‘good girl’ accompanied by a pat and scratch behind my ears like I was his obedient pet.”

“It is a question of will, Mr. Wells," he said, striving to imbue his slurred voice with a tone of authority. "That's all.”

“Women’s fiction” doesn’t sound like anything but a slur to my ears.”

“Heswept the ears to the floor with his arm and heldthe last of his wine in the air. Something for yourpoetry, no? he said. Some of the ears on the floorcaught this scrap of his voice. Some of the ears onthe floor were pressed to the ground.”

“Ash brushed the hair from my neck and leaned close to my ear, his voice so soft not even Grimalkin could’ve heard it. “I love you,” he murmured, and my heart nearly burst out of my chest. “Whatever happens, we’re together now.Always.”