“Valek smiled. “Good. First, send Kade a reply, askinghim not to come.” He pointed at the unopened letter on the table. I had forgotten about it. Sealed with wax, the message appearedto be secured. Valek shrugged. “I was bored.”

“The others had taken Valek's return in stride, although Janco made a comment about Valek's lack of hair. 'You ever notice how couples start to look alike?' he asked. In a deadpan, Valek replied, 'Yes. In fact I was just thinking how much you and Topaz resemble each other. It's uncanny.”

“(...) I pushed his sword arm down, and stood next to Valek. Out eyes met. I understood that Valek's loyalty to the Commander was without question. His blue eyes held a fierce determination and I knew in my soul that Valek would take his own life after he had taken mine.”

“Valek: You know a death sentence hasn't kept us apart before.Yelena: Is that an order Valek?Valek: No, it's a promise!”

“Oscove?" Valek paused. "He didn't have the stomach for it.”

“Another relative?” Valek asked.A broad smile stretched Moon Man’s lips. “Yes. I am her mother’s uncle’s wife’s third cousin.”

“Out of nowhere, Valek appeared before me, yelling in my ear, shaking my shoulders. Stupidly, belatedly, I realized he was the drunk. Who else but Valek could win a fight against four large men when armed only with a beer mug?”