You missed the point completely! You're acting..." The word stuck in my throat. He didn't hesitate to say it. "Jealous?" When I nodded, he continued. "Now you're missing the point. It isn't jealousy. It's fear." "Fear?" Not the emotion I expected. "Yes. Fear. I'm afraid you'll be hurt or killed. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you. I'm afraid I'll lose you to another man.

There is a reason for everything. You might not be able to figure it out, and time might have made us all forget it, but the reason is there all the same.

When the effort fails, is it worth the cost?

Your fear remains strong. You are not ready to face your story, preferring instead to surround yourself with knots. Someday, they will strangle you.

Yelena.” I halted in the doorway, looking back over my shoulder. “You once said I wasn’t ready to believe your reason for killing Reyad. I’ll believe you now.” “But I’m not ready to tell you,” I said and left the room.

To Yelena, our newest food taster. May you last longer than your predecessor.

I balled my hands into tight fists to keep them from wrapping around Mr. I-Know-Everything's superior neck.