“Once in a lifetime. Even sated in the aftermath of the best orgasm of my life, a twinge of sadness touched me. Don't be stupid, Alex: it's just tonight. We both know it's just tonight.”

“The rest are ruined. No fumbling drunk in my bed would top what I'd just felt.”

“I barely noticed. I was still reeling from the sight of Falin. Of him standing beside her. Of him touching her. My mouth went dry, and even Malik's soulful voice faded to a buzz in my ears. Something in my chest had frozen. Maybe it was my lungs, because I couldn't seem to breathe. He's with her. And of course, he was. Look at her.”

“I'm not just a warm body.”

“It said something about my life when a heavily armed official accused me of causing magical havoc and i had to wonder which incident she meant.”

“Don't you dare throw out my toothbrush.”

“You didn't save my life, you postponed my death. There's a difference.”