“And even if she could discern what future she wanted . . . How would she bear it if that future didn’t want her?”

“The words burned on her tongue, but Minerva couldn’t give them voice. What a hopeless coward she was. She could pound on his door at midnight and demand to be respected as an individual. She could travel across the country in hopes of being appreciated for her scholarly achievements. But she still lacked the courage to ask for the one thing she wanted most.To be loved, just for herself.”

“What kind of a modern woman was she, if she didn’t reach for her own dream? Maybe it was time to sweep the man off his feet, for a change.”

“The further he raided, the closer he came to the other rooms. Those unused, cobwebbed chambers of her heart. Would he dare to venture there? She doubted. Jumping off a cliff was a flashy sort of courage, but a man would need true strength and valor to break through those padlocked doors. There were dark, uncharted spaces within her that had been built to house love, and even she was afraid to explore them. Terrified to learn just how vast and how achingly empty they truly were.”

“He kissed her. Without warning, without permission. Without even deciding to do it, but simply because he couldn't have done anything else. He needed that breath she was holding. It belonged to him, and he wanted it back.”

“With a snap of linen, she shot him a look. “Smote?” “Grammatically speaking, I think the word you want is ‘smote.’ ” “Scientifically speaking, the word I want is ‘extinct.’ Ammonites are extinct. They’re only known to us in fossils.” “And bedsheets, apparently.”“You know . . .” She huffed”

“I don't want anyone fighting over me," Kate said. "It's not worth it.""Like hell it's not." Samuel turned to her. "Don't ever say you're not worth it, Katie. You're worth epic battles. Entire wars."Her heart pinched. "Samuel...""Yes, Helen of Troy?" She thought she saw him wink as he backed away, reaching for a sword to match Evan's.After all this time...he would choose this moment to be charming.”