“And a girl could give herself only in love. Mutual love. Otherwise she'd ruin herself for nothing. A girls body was a prize. It had to be more than asked for. It had to be earned, worshipped, and avowed.”

“A girl's body was a prize. It had to be more than asked for. It had to be earned, worshipped, and avowed.”

“I assure you; while I look like a ghost, I'm no spirit or demon. I'm nothing but a girl struggling to make her way in an intolerant world. I bleed, I love, and someday, I'll die.”

“When the Guard convinced you fate was not on our side, you parted ways with me and saw fit to make me suffer,' Percy stated. The pain on Alexi's face worsened, and he opened his mouth to refute her. She put her hands lovingly on his cheeks. 'We survived. Our love survived. And we shall again.'He stared at her in wonder. 'How did my dear girl grow so brave?'Percy grinned. 'Didn't you hear? The meek shall inherit the earth.”

“I was in love. With a two-dimensional object. A mute in love with a painting. Lovely. Just lovely.”

“Sometimes a picture of a moment captures more than the moment itself.”

“One spirit remained unaware of his presence, staring at Miss Parker with such longing that he reluctantly decided to let it stay. The spirit, a hollow-eyed girl with ringlets and clothing from long past, reached toward Percy, wishing to touch her. Alexi understood. When left to her own devices, Miss Parker was neither shy nor awkward; she was radiant.”