They finished laughing and caught their breaths, and looked at each other, and Ani thought Geric looked at her too long, as though he forgot he was looking, as though he did not wish to do anything else. She looked back. Her took heart took its time quieting down.

Smell is the voice of the soul.

You can be who you will,” he repeated. His voice softened. “And if you will have me, I will be the one beside you.

Mama used to say, you have to know someone a thousand days before you can glimpse her soul.

. . . as long as there are movement and harmony, there are words.

No matter that we could be beheaded for this,” said Esa. “Heads are overrated.” “Yes, they are so unfashionable,” said Miri, imitating an Aslandian accent. “This spring, ladies of style are wearing their feathers in their necks.

She wore white heirloom lace about her throat And in her hair a bright golden feather A pearl like a plum hung ripe from her neck But her smile fetched ten gold together