“Holy shit,' Ash murmured.'Oh, it gets worse.'Ash lifted an eyebrow.'Yeah, apparently when I decide to be an asshole, I go all the way.”

“When I wake up, I'm going to kick your ass.”

“Alaric grunted. “Someone should tell herthat. I’m telling you, Ewan, she said nothing.She stared at me like I was some kind oftoad. Worse, she had Crispen acting like Iwas the enemy. The two whispered like104/756conspirators and glared at me when I daredintervene.”

“I love you, Bowen Montgomery. I love you so very much, and that will never change, even when we're old and gray. I thank God for you every single day, and that you came and lifted me from the depths of despair. You showed me how it can be with a man who loves me, and you've shined light on the darkest shadows of my memories.”

“She sat down on the bed next to Crispen,and he snuggled into the crook of her arm.“I’m getting you dirty,” he whispered.“I don’t care.”“What are we going to do, Mairin?”

“Most of all, I want you to know without a doubt that I've got your back. And your front. And your sides. I've got all of you and I'm not letting go.”

“He did and said all the right things. Things that went straight to her heart, and worse, they inspired the one thing that she'd given up along time ago. Hope.”