“Do I need to ease up on the psychedelics, or did LP just recall one of her past lives unprompted at the most crucial juncture ever?”

“Mortality is the most romantic story ever told. Just one chance to do everything you should. Then, magically, you move on.”

“What is he doing?" she finally whispered.Bill appeared behind her and flitted around her shoulders. "Looks like he's sleeping.""But why? I didn't even know angels need to sleep-""Need isn't the right word. They can sleep if they feel like it.Daniel always sleeps for days after you die." Bill tossed his head,seeming to recall something unpleasant. "Okay,not always. Most of the time.Must be pretty taxing,to lose the one thing you love. Can you blame him?""S-sort of," Luce stammered. "I'm the one who bursts into flames.""And he's the one who's left alone. The age-old question.Which is worse?”

“Arriane sized her up, tapping one finger against her lips. "Perfect," she said, stepping forward to loop her arm through Luce's. "I was just thinking I could really use a new slave.”

“How many lives do you need to live before you fine someone worth dying for?”

“Oooh!" Bill squealed. "Very rococo.""So,I'm really doing this? I'm just going to go down there and pretend-""No pretending." Bill shook his head. "Own it. Own that cleavage, girl, you know you want to.""Okay,I am pretending you didn't say that." Luce laughed-winced. "So I go downstairs and 'own it' or whatever. But what do I do when I find my past self? I don't know anything about her.Do I just-""Take her hand," Bill said cryptically. "She'll be very touched by the gesture,I'm sure.”

“Though she hated to stop kissing, Luce held Daniel's warm face in her hands. She gazed into his violet eyes, trying to draw strength."I'm sorry," she said. "For running off like I did.""Don't be," he said,slowly and with absolute sincerity. "You had to go. It was preordained; it had to happen." He smiled again. "We did what we needed to do,Lucinda."A jet of warmth shot through her,making her dizzy. "I was starting to think I'd never see you again.""How many times have I told you that I will always find you?”