“...her queen danced like a flame in the wind, and the mercurial king like the weight at the center of the earth...”

“The queen!" someone shouted in alarm, and the King erupted like a wild animal caught in a snare.”

“The king lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her. It was not a kiss between strangers, not even a kiss between a bride and groom. It was a kiss between a man and his wife, and when it was over, the king closed his eyes and rested his forehead in the hollow of the queen's shoulder, like a man seeking respite, like a man reaching home at the end of the day.”

“My beautiful queen. Your entire court is staring at you, and I can't blame them."They were, too. The queen turned to look. Her glance swept through the crowd like a reaping sickle through grain. Mouths slammed shut on every side. There was a scuffling sound as the people in the back shifted, trying to screen themselves from view. The queen looked back at the king, who was broadly smiling.”

“In the afternoon, the king and queen sat to hear the business of their kingdom. At least, the queen sat to hear the business; Costis was still not sure what the king was doing.”

“The queen was settling on the edge of the bed, ungainly with hesitation and at the same time exquisite in her grace, like a heron landing in a treetop.”

“You know-" Eddis hesitated, not sure how far to push the Attolian Queen. "Go on." Attolia inclined her head."I was going to say that you look like a polecat when you smile like that.""Do I?" Attolia still smiled. "You look a little vulpine yourself."The two queens sat for a moment in happy agreement.”