Having a heart that burned with emotion meant having a flame that could be doused in an instant by forces you could not fight, perils you could not see. To care was to be helpless in the worst possible way.

Oh, and I died horribly at your hands. Gruesome murder is always a foundation for a beautiful friendship!

Yet her feelings for me mattered less to me than my feelings for her. For.

Some might call us a monstrous pair, and they would be right. Tyrus and I were both scorpions in our way, dangerous creatures crossing the most treacherous of rivers together. Together we might sting – but we also would float.

That was when I realized for the first time that Sidonia Impyrean – meek, fearful, shy, and gentle – could be indomitable.

I had braced myself for imminent death, and there you exploded upon us like some avenging angel. I have grown used to the idea that human beings die or they betray and I could only rely on myself, but that’s not true anymore. I feel I can trust you. That may seem so small an admission, but from me, it is the greatest compliment I can ever give.

Genghises. Large, angry Genghises.

The Emperor wishes me to send my innocent little lamb to the slaughter. No. Instead, I’ll send him my anaconda.

Sorry, Tim,” Yuri said, regret in his voice. “Normally I would not push you around, but I must because you have become such a pansy.

He felt like anything was possible around her, like his life meant more, like he meant more.