Mercy was more frightening than murder, because it was harder.

The fellow who tends the greenhouse gardens? Trust me, Lady, you'd let him stake your tomatoes.

Tell me what I can do to help you feel better." Well...I always like when you kiss me... "Do you?" You're good at it. "Well, that's lucky. Because I'll always be kissing you.

That's interesting," Bitterblue said. "You think a conscience requires fear?

He held up a finger and went to the hallway, where he tripped over Blotchy, and then over the two monster cats madly pursuing Blotchy. Swearing, he leaned over the landing and called to the guard that unless the kingdom fell to war or his daughter was dying, he better not be interrupted until further notice.

Find something useful to do with your morning,' she thought to him as she neared her chambers. 'Do something heroic in front of an audience. Knock a child into a river while no one's looking and then rescue him.

He leaned heavily on the desk now, as if danger had strengthened him before and its lack now made him weak.