She closed the book and put her cheek against it. There was still an odor of a library on it, of dust, leather, binding glue, and old paper, one book carrying the smell of hundreds.

You saw my leg?" "How can a man help what he sees?" he said. "And, if I could add, you possess a very fine leg.

He smiled in a way that made me want to kiss him right on the spot. Or the lips. Whichever was closer.

Right now I'd like all my troubles to stand in front of me in a straight line, and one by one I'd give each a black eye.

Rin slept inside the oak’s thought. Its own memories of weather and growth continued to hum, and like a pond, its stillness reflected back herself.

As a general rule, writing is very inconvenient.

The first building she reached appeared to be an old barn. Only one young guard stood before its bolted door, staring at her with wide eyes, holding up his sword in defense, She heated his sword and he dropped it, his expression barely changing, as if he had been expecting that. She held up her two swords to his throat, but they were two heavy, so she dropped one and held the other with both hands. "Where are the two Bayern boys kept?" The soldier shook his head. BURN HIM, prompted the fire. The excitement of burning was simmering in her, heating her up for more action.