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.

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.

Reviewing our fight, I asked Janco, “Why do you rhyme when you fight?

Back so soon?" he asked. "Too bad. I was just about to organize a search for your dead body. What happened when you knocked on the southerner magician's door to sacrifice yourself? Did they kick you out, thinking you too half-witted to waste their time on?

Only Valek would consider an attempt on my life a fascinating diversion.

It's the effort, not the results that matter.

I'd like you to make a commitment to me as well. Will you be my mate?