“Stay here til I come to fetch you."I no longer recognize you in the Republic of Joy," I loftily informed him. "Our diplomatic ties are severed."Unsever them," he growled, "or the Country of Raphael will be forced to declare your republic a protectorate."Dictator," I muttered.For life," he agreed.”

“He does not see as i have that you have given him your heart, but he is male. We will cut him some slack for that handicap, yes?”

“I looked at Raphael. He looked back at me.Several parts of me that weren't on public display brought out their pompoms and began cheering.”

“You really do think you're the cat's pajamas, don't you?" I asked Raphael, annoyed with his arrogance.”

“Saer is a great big poop, and you shouldn't listen to anything he says," I said, panting just a little."Obviously, he was trying to demoralize me.""Men who are poops demoralize people all the time," I agreed”

“You think I am very cute, you think me sexy, as well. I can read your thoughts, remember.” I hoisted myself up and slid across his body. You are conceited, arrogant, and domineering, everything I dislike in a man. And you are independent, stubborn, and heedless, everything I dislike in a women. I slid my hands under his back and kissed his dampened lips. So why is it that I love you so much? He smiled a smug, masculine little smile and captured my legs with his. Because I love you, and to be loved by a Dark One is enough for any woman.I pinched him in a particularly vulnerable spot and allowed him to kiss me with all the sexy arrogance he had.”

“Oooh, dinner and a show! How come you never take us to dinner and a show?"He smiled at Roxy. "I would spend the entire evening fending off the hordes of your admirers."She fanned herself and grinned back at him. "You gotta love all that suave debonairness!”