“So El Dorado is no’ a man.”In a soft tone, Lucia said, “She’s La Dorada, the Gilded Woman. History had it wrong.Really wrong.”“Makes sense.”“What do you mean?”“Say you were a conquistador, hunting for the Gilded One’s gold, yet the native was clever enough to keep a tomb full of it hidden. A native—a woman native— somehow outwits you?” He shook his head. “Back in the day, I met a few gold-hungry conquistadors, and let’s put it this way—the fragility of conquistador ego canna be overstated.”

“This twilight, Lothaire was holding court.He sat upon his gilded throne, decoratedwith gold-dipped skulls. His design. If he’d had a queen, her throne would have been similar. Of course, her skulls would be daintier.”

“Regin had known the risk in coming here, but she wasn't fearful. As Lucia had also told her, "Sometimes I don't think you have the sense to be afraid when you should." Regin had interpreted that to mean, "You have no sense of fear, oh, great Reginleit.”

“Looking at you reminds me of the kind of man I should be with.""And what kind of man is that? Drunken, poor, pathetic?""No. I´ve never met him, but I see him plain as day. He has crinkles around his eyes when he smiles and tanned skin from working outdoors. Honest labor has callused his hands. He and I will hunt together, cook and eat big family meals together. He´ll marry me and love my family, too." Voice gone soft, she said, "He´ll give me a baby boy and a girl.”

“In an incredulous tone, he said, "You don't know the meaning of virtue!" "Of course I do-it means your thong must be white." (Sabine)”

“Ara?"She jerked her face up. "Huh? Where were we?"But his expression had grown serious, the lesson forgotten. He interlaced his fingers and said, "We are bound.""Bound?"He collected a piece of rope, knotting it."Oh, you mean bound?"He gave a nod, then drew in the sand.An infinity symbol? "Clever demon, how did you know that...?"He was gazing at her with a question in his eyes."Bound forever?" And somehow she met his gaze and lied, "Yes, demon. Bound forever."As if to make her feel guiltier, he gathered her into his arms, cupping her face against his broad chest. His voice a deep rumble, he said, "Carrow is Malkom's."She wanted to sob."Yes?""Yes," she answered, wishing that it could be so simple between them. Demon meets girl. Girl might be falling for demon.”

“And he'd railed at her, his voice booming so loud the bed had seem to shake. "You canna do this - take my goddamned heart and then leave me! You think I will no' follow?" She knew he was constantly there, was aware of his movement and comprehended his words, but she couldn't seem to open her heavy eyelids or speak.At night, he would wrap his body around hers, keeping her warm, whispering against her hair, "You enjoy being contrary. Then prove them all wrong and get better." He'd clutched her hip, then balled his fist there.”