It seems better to me for a child to have these skills and never use them, than not have them and one day need them," she said.

And of course she understood now why her body wanted to run whenever he appeared. It was a correct instinct, for there was nothing to be got from this but sadness.

Bitterblue had never seen a man naked, and she was curious. She decided the universe owed her a few minutes, just a few, to satisfy her curiosity. So she went to him and knelt, which shut him up.

A king who’s innocent of the things of which he’s guilty?

I wanted you to go away, because it hurts to be with you when I can't see you." - Po

...when truths disappear, they leave behind blank spaces, and that is also dangerous.

Normal. She wasn't normal. A girl Graced with killing, a royal thug? A girl who didn't want the husbands Randa pushed on her, perfectly handsome and thoughtful men, a girl who panicked at the thought of a baby at her breast, or clinging to her ankles.