“Jenni spared a moment to shake her head, before following after. “So you do it.”Max gave her a sidelong glance. “Some are born to coach, some are born to do. Some of us didn't have a good soldier and a benevolent nurse to back up our sparkling smile.”“I do not sparkle. You are to shoot me if I ever sparkle.”

“After the kiss some of it still sparkled in the air around her.”

“Eden will stay with you." I glanced up at the blue-haired woman who watched us. "She promises to take good care of you. Right, Eden?"Eden nodded, curt and no-nonsense, a soldier to the bones.I glanced back at Angelina. "You trust her, don't you?"Angelina didn't turn her wide eyes away from me. I needed Angelina's answer. But then her eyes sparkled, ever so slightly, as she gave me her response, a barely perceptible nod.No one else could have possibly known how much meaning that single gesture held.Eden was honorable. Angelina had told me so.”

“Some say thronging cavalry, some say foot soldiers, others call a fleet the most beautiful of sights the dark earth offers, but I say it's what- ever you love best.. . . .But that reminds me:now my Anactória is gone, and I'd rather see her lovely step, her sparkling glance and her face than gaze on all the troops in Lydia in their chariots and glittering armor.”

“If you’re really uncomfortable with this, you don’t have to do it.”I hold my breath as I lean back to get her answer, hoping the brave one will win out.And she does.Slowly, Olivia shakes her head and wiggles a little closer to me on the bar. Her eyes are sparkling with determination. And challenge. And it makes me jerk in my jeans.I grin at her. “All right. You asked for it,”

“Smile. Your eyes sparkle when you do.”