Kai neared his desk again, seeing that the fugitive's profile had been transferred to the screen. His frown deepened. Perhaps not dangerous, but young and inarguably good-looking. His prison photo showed him flippantly winking at the camera. Kai hated him immediately.

Lines drawn into his face suggested he had spent many years thinking very hard over very difficult problems.

Emilie. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.

If you honestly believe that," said Thorne, stowing the gun again, "then you really don't recognize true value when you see it.

No. She will never be queen.” She swayed toward him, and he felt like he was being encircled by a python, smothered and choked.

Keep your head in the clouds and your hands on the keyboard.

I know this is stupid, but part of me felt like if I could come see you today, if I could convince you to go with me tonight, then maybe I could still change things. It's dumb, I know. It's not like Levana cares if I, you know, might have actual feelings for someone.