“Nereus to Lothaire:“I really thought you’d demand myfirstborn.”“As if I’d want your fucking guppy,”Lothaire drawled, tracing away beforeNereus could strike him down.”

“His debtors always assumed he'd demand their firstborn. Like I'm fucking Rumpelstiltskin? What would Lothaire do with countless squalling babes? Raise them in a kennel?”

“Lothaire said, “I have a much better plan.”“Why help him?” Thad asked pointedly. “When you don’t help anybody else?”Lothaire exhaled ruefully. “Incurable romantic.”

“Lothaire is very much alive.”“You swear?”“Often. Though not as much as foul-mouthed Regin. I try not to in front of Bertil.” She petted the bat.“I meant—will Lothaire live?”“He will.”

“Hate Scars. I'm physically flawless-why can't everyone be? Everywhere Lothaire went, people stopped and stared. Of course, then they usually ran. Lothair Enemy of Old”

“A king of a kingdom no one fucking knows about! I'm the tree in the forest that silently falls--when no one is around to be crushed! [Lothaire, Enemy of Old]”