“There.” She tossed her hair back while he stared at her. “The sky did not fall, the world did not end, neither of us was struck by lightning or beamed straight to hell. I’m not your damnsister, Delaney. That ought to make it clear.”

“For long moments they clung to one another, only their heavy breathing filling the quiet. Gradually the mist cleared from Brenna’s sight, and she gazed into the summer-sky blue of her husband’s eyes. Eternity stared back at her. There was no world beyond their world, no time that did not belong to them”

“Alice doesn't seem to mind because she's laughing too, and biting her lip, all doe-eyed, and tossing her freshly washed hair, and Norton tosses his lovely, glossy hair back, and she tosses her hair in return, and he tosses his, and she tosses hers, and it;s like some mating ritual on a wildlife program.”

“What happened?”“You did.” She whispered, her eyes locking onto his. “You’re making me fall for you, and I know I’m going to be hurt in the end.”

“And to see the white flash of Klaus's eyes as he whirled on her. For one stunned instant she stared at him, and then lightning crackled.From an empty sky.”

“Look what just happened,’ she said softly, allowing laughter to leak into her words. ‘You just shared something of yourself—and the world did not end. Nor did I fall hopelessly at your feet.’‘Why do you bother, then?’ he asked hoarsely.She stroked a hand in his hair. ‘Because I want you to know that it is possible.”