And then Micah Bayar swept back his cloak and dropped to his knees, bowing his head, his amulet swinging forward. Fiona glared down at him like she wanted to stomp on him.Ho, Han thought. Micah breaks with his family? That's interesting.

I thought I could play at love...But I've found out I'm not made that way...I can't play this game if my heart's not in it.

It's not just the real, but the perspective of real that counts. If people perceive you as weak, then you are weak, even if it's a survival strategy.

Mellon is thirteen," Raisa said. "I hope you have experience babysitting, Micah, because you're going to need it. Assuming the Demonai don't assassinate you first. Married at thirteen, widowed at fourteen. Poor Mellony.

You can't assume that because you have plenty to eat that everyone does.

Was death the price of freedom?

Love everywhere, and none for me.

He wasn't proud or arrogant, but there was a self-confidence about him that said he knew what he wanted and he was going to get it, and you'd better not get in his way.

How do I know you don’t have another amulet hidden on your person?” she said.Micah smiled faintly. “Have mercy, your highness,” he said.“I could strip, but it is a chilly evening. Besides, you seem to have an immunity to any magic I can conjure.