“Their mouths met. The touch of his lips sparked an energy that plunged to the very depths of her. In that moment, she knew that this was the one kiss of her life. It was the touch of him she would remember forever. The kiss she would dream of when she was lonely. It was the kiss she would relive when she was alone. It would transcend the physical, the realms of Shadow and Light. All other kisses that followed, if there ever were any, would not compare.”

“I've wanted to do this since I laid eyes on you." With a gentle movement, he lifted her face to his and kissed her.Oh, blast. he's right. And I do want him. How annoying. ”

“From that day on, it was the desert that would be important. She would look to it everyday, and would try to guess which star the boy was following in search of his treasure. She would have to send her kisses on the wind hoping that the wind would touch the boy's face, and would tell him that she was alive.”

“And, like a fool, she kissed him back. Kissed him a way that would leave no doubt about the way she felt about him. Kissed him because she knew the chances were slim she'd have very many kisses like that in her lifetime. Which is a sad thing when you're only seventeen.”

“She leaned in, and kissed her Marid gently, sweetly. She tried to kiss him the way she’d always thought kisses would be. His lips tasted like the sea.”

“Patrice raised his cup and smiled. "To a successful flight, then."To wealthy eccentric clients with more money than brains, Elle thought to herself as she took a sip of fragrant tea.”

“Marsh touched the rim of his hat and smiled at them. The ladies tittered at each other and cast long glances at him from behind their lace gloves as they made their way to the row of ornate passenger dirigibles that sat urging against their moorings in the fading light."Do try not to attract too much attention to yourself, Mr. Marsh," Elle said."Easier said than done," he responded without taking his eyes off the ladies.Elle took a deep breath to dispel her annoyance.”