But I don't want your throne." "Then what do you want?" "You.

As for my family, my father was Danel; he died as a mercenary in the southern wars," Han went on. "My mother's name was Sarah, called Sali, and my sister was Mari. They died last summer. But then, you already knew that. Every time you forget, I'll remind you. That's the blood sacrifice I made to be here, and that's enough.

Raisa felt relieved, yet oddly disappointed. She was the blooded princess heir, yet in servants' clothes she was apparently unrecognizable. In the stories, rulers had a natural presence about them that identified them as such, even dressed in rags. What's the nature of royalty, she wondered. Is it like a gown you put on that disappears when you take it off? Does anyone look beyond the finery? Could anyone in the queendom take her place, given the right accessories? If so, it was contrary to everything she'd ever been taught about bloodlines.

Just remember who you are... The world will try to change you into someone else. Don't let them. That's the best advice anyone can give you.

Admit nothing - that was his first rule. Appeal to logic - second rule. Delay the inevitable - third rule.

The time will come when you will be forced to make a choice,” Hanalea said. “When that time comes, choose love.

That's what happens when you love someone... you notice and notice and notice.