They were like two pieces of a failed star, drawn together by a shared history and a memory of illicit kisses.

Commander! Sir! Wake up!" Jack surfaced from sleep, wondering who the commander was and wishing he'd respond so he could go back to sleep - until he remembered that he was the commander.

Falling in love was like falling off a cliff. It felt pretty much like flying until you hit the ground.

And, like a fool, she kissed him back. Kissed him a way that would leave no doubt about the way she felt about him. Kissed him because she knew the chances were slim she'd have very many kisses like that in her lifetime. Which is a sad thing when you're only seventeen.

He would find a way to make it work, because he finally understood that sometimes you have to raise your expectations. And sometimes you need to make a claim on the world and the people you love to get what you most desire

Her clothes still smoked from the wizard’s assault. But to him, she always smelled of flowers.

I need to go to parties, Raisa mused, so I don't think so much.