June has never looked more beautiful than she does now, unadorned and honest, vulnerable yet invincible.

When you’ve been poor all your life, you never really think it could be any other way. And sometimes you’re even happy, because at least you’ve got your family and your health and your arms and legs and a roof over your head.

I always knew, on some level, that I wouldn't live long. It's simply not written in my stars.

Can one mistake really destroy a lifetime together?

I have to force a smile off my face as I sit limply in my seat... Then, just as I'm congratulating myself for such a stellar plan.

Then he crouches down behind it, motions for Tess and me to sit down, and begins unbuttoning his vest. I blush scarlet and thank every god in the world for the darkness surrounding us. “I’m not cold and I’m not bleeding,” I say to him. “Keep your clothes on.” The boy looks at me. I would’ve expected his bright eyes to look dimmer in the night, but instead they seem to reflect the light coming from the windows above us. He’s amused. “Who said anything about you , sweetheart?

Where I come from, we're more about efficiency,' he replies. 'A knife like this'll skewer food, smear butter, and slit throats all at the same time.