You mean he came to your school? The scandalous rodent-loaf!

With the infinite patience of one who has learned to live broken, he awaited her return.

It was funny, she thought, but her smile turned wistful because she had nobody to tell.

Thank you, but we respectfully decline your overture, being more enjoyably occupied at present.

Because hope comes from in you, and wishes are just magic.

It wasn’t like in the storybooks. No witches lurked at crossroads disguised as crones, waiting to reward travelers who shared their bread. Genies didn’t burst from lamps, and talking fish didn’t bargain for their lives. In all the world, there was only one place humans could get wishes: Brimstone’s shop. And there was only one currency he accepted. It wasn’t gold, or riddles, or kindness, or any other fairy-tale nonsense, and no, it wasn’t souls, either. It was weirder than any of that. It was teeth.

...I crave a shawl." He was tense with anger but his hands remained gentle at her waist. He said, "I can make you a shawl." She cocked her head. "You knit? Well. That's an unusual accomplishment in a soldier.