Katsa hugged her for a long time, and Bitterblue understood that this was always how it would be. Katsa would come and then Katsa would go. But the hug was real, and lasting, even though it would end. The coming was as real as the going, and the coming would always be a promise. It would have to be good enough.
Kristin CashoreBrigan," she said, annoyed that he had not understood. "Iโll always be beautiful. Look at me. I have one hundred and sixty two bug bites, and has it made me any less beautiful? Iโm missing two fingers and I have scars all over, but does anyone care? No! It just makes me more interesting! Iโll always be like this, stuck in this beautiful form, and youโll have to deal with it." He seemed to sense that she expected a grave response, but for the moment, he was incapable. "I suppose itโs a burden I must bear," he said, grinning.
Kristin CashoreSuddenly Po shot into the courtyard from the north vestibule whooping. Katsa, seeing him, broke into a run and they tore at each other through the wash. Just before the moment of impact, Po shifted to one side, crouched, scooped Katsa up, and, with admirable precision, propelled them both sideways into the pool. ... Katsa and Po were trying to drown each other and, judging from their hoots of laughter, enjoying it immensely.
Kristin Cashore