There you are," Cardan says as I take my place beside him. "How has the night been going for you? Mine has been full of dull conversation about how my head is going to find itself on a spike.

I have no memory of climbing the stairs up to the roof. I don't even know how to get where I am, which is a problem since I'm going to have to get down, ideally in a way that doesn't involve dying.

Sharpen your heart.

We may not die from age, but we grow weary with it.

Guard your mortal heart.

You think I don’t deserve him,” I say to Cardan.He smiles slowly, like the moon slipping beneath the waves of the lake. “Oh no, I think you’re perfect for each other.

I’ve loved you from the first hour of our meeting. I loved you and despaired. Before I die, I want you to know that.

There's always something left to lose

Well, even if the serpent bites off your head,” says Tatterfell, “the rest of you will still look good.”“That’s the spirit,” I tell her.