He considered her seriously. "Well. And that's easy," he said. "My Grace will protect me from him, And I'll protect you. You'll be safe with me, Katsa.

How acutely sometimes the presence or absence of people mattered

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

Circumstances don't always align themselves with human intention.

Madlen: 'It's a relief to me, Lady Queen, that in your own pain, you take no interest in hurting yourself.' Bitterblue: 'Why would I? Why should I? It's foolish. I would like to kick the people who do it.' Madlen: 'That would, perhaps, be redundant, Lady Queen.

Danzhol. The one with the marriage proposal and the objections to the town charter in central Monsea. "Bacon," Bitterblue muttered. "Bacon!" she repeated, then carefully made her way up the spiral stairs.

I'd like to restrain from cruelity and not be thanked." ~ Katsa