Did you want to save me now or does later fit better into your schedule?

His princess was dusty.

She’s still under a curse. And this one you cannot save her from, because she put her own self under it.

To believe in anything takes risk," Arpien said. "Perhaps the risk of disappointed hopes is greater than the reward of fulfilled ones.

She sighed. "Well, there's nothing for it. You better come with me so I can keep an eye on you.""I thought I was keeping an eye on you?""Well, it can't hurt if I look back.

Arpien cleared his throat, removed his cap, and pressed his palms together in the Fifth Stance of Bereavement for Distant Relatives and Especially Good Cooks.

His princess was dusty. Arpien should have expected that. Anything lying undisturbed for a hundred years would gather dust. He'd crossed the ocean to find the right sword for this venture, but neglected to pack a feather duster.

He looked foolish and noble and vulnerable and battle-hardened all at once. As though every wound, every mistake, had been healed but not erased. Brierly had immortalized every scar in gold. Was that how she saw him? If so, how could he do less than return the courtesy?

She was struck again by the unlikely vibrancy of the color brown.