“Too bad,Elizabeth. You're Stuck with me.Not for a few decades,not for centuries. You're tied to me forever. That boy and girl offspring you talked off? They'll come from me--or no one.”

“Lothaire is very much alive.You swear?Often. Though not as much as foul-mouthed Regin. I try not to in front of Bertil. She petted the bat.I meantwill Lothaire live?He will.”

“He sat up, going still. Am I wearing a wife-beater, Lizvetta? He gaped down. Oh, come on!Lothaire”

“Tell me, Lothaire, I want to know. Convince me why I should love you.Because any other female would!”

“When she absently worried her bottom lip with one of her adorable little fangs, he s”

“Why am I letting you comfort me? He stared over her head. Because Ive made sure you have no one else to turn to.”

“History has been written, but it has not always been right or complete.”

“I want to kiss you again, Tess.Why?He chuckled, low under his breath. Why? Because youre beautiful, and because I want you. And I think you want me too.”

“With every breath I take, I will always love you.”

“Innocent? Tell me human, who among you is innocent? Who among you has not destroyed without need or hurt without pity? Should a lion ponder his role in thinning the herds? Does he question whether ...”

“As we pass the mirror in the bedroom, my attention is drawn to the lovely couple in the reflection. There is a man, tall with broad shoulders. His red hair cut short. He has nothing but a towel on....”

“Good evening and good night.”