[Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. 'My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck--' [Opal] 'Was?' [J] 'Be quiet. I'm telling a story here.

Valek's thoughts returned to Yelena. An icy finger of loneliness touched the emptiness inside him. She was in Sitia, where she needed to be to learn about her magical powers, but she had taken his heart with her.

It’s your fault. I was defending you!” I blurted. He paused. “In protecting my honor, you exposed months of work. I should be flattered?

"How did you - " "Fool your guards? They're not very good. They forgot to check the ceiling for spiders." Valek grinned. His angular face softened.

I offer my heart, entrust my soul and give my life to you.

I’ll have you know that the most delicate flowers often produce the strongest scent when crushed.

But it seems there is more than one way to poison a person's heart, and it doesn't require a meal.