Just because you're the enemy of my enemy don't mean you're my friend, Han thought.

He swept Raisa up into his arms and kissed her like it was his first, last, and only

Just a rat, she repeated to herself. After all, there were rats in the palace. Human and otherwise. Could be worse.

And it's not just a matter of you hurting me. I will hurt you too, even if I don't want to, I'm not the girl you think I am. And you will remember this conversation , and wish that you'd listened to me.

The human mind had a remarkable ability both to discount what it sees and make reality conform to expectation.

She padded toward Han, barefoot, like a faerie startled out of a forest bower, bewitching mix of clan and flatland beauty.

Why aren't you dead?" Will demanded.