“Her chin lifted. "Very well. Here is my best offer. Half of my nakedness for all of yours."He pretended to think on it. " It's a bargain.”

“My lord,' replied El-ahrairah, 'I have come to give you my life. My life for my people.'The Black Rabbit drew his claws along the floor.Bargains, bargains, El-ahrairah,' he said. 'There is not a day or a night but a doe offers her life for her kittens, or some honest captain of Owsla his life for his Chief Rabbit's. Sometimes it is taken, sometimes it is not. But there is no bargain, for here what is is what must be.”

“Nice costume," he said."Ditto. I can tell you put alot of though into yours."Amusement curled his mouth. "If you don't like it, I can take it off."I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "That just might be the best proposal I've had all night.""My offers are always the best, Angel.”

“He blinked. His eyes fell as he processed her response. Then he lifted his chin and attempted a grin that was almost painfully dejected. "No, it's all right. I understand."Dr. Erland leaned back against his desk. "My sincerest condolences, Your Highness. In more ways than one, it seems.”

“The time's gone by for sentiment and all that foolery. Mercy's all very well but after all it's justice that clinches the bargain.”

“She set her mouth, lifted her chin. "I'm not leaving you here. No matter what.”