Things we had, like respect and trust, but also freely expressed desires and accountability to whatever degree it took to make both people happy. It took work, a willingness to fight passionately and fairly--out of bed, not just in it--commitment and honesty. It took waking up and saying each day, "I hold this man sacred and always will. He's my sun, moon, and stars." It took letting the other person in; a thing I'd stopped doing. It took being unafraid to ask for what you wanted, to put yourself on the line, to risk it all for love.

— Karen Marie Moning

Velvet looks horrified. “If you are fool enough to address King R’Jan, you will do it thus and in no other manner! ‘My King, Liege, Lord, and Master, your servant begs you grant it leave to speak.’”“Wow. Totally delusional there.”“Good luck with that,” Roman says. “She doesn't beg to speak, or do anything else. You can lock her up, down, and sideways, and it’s never going to happen.” I beam at him. I had no idea he thought so highly of me.

— Karen Marie Moning

Was he a good kisser, Ms. Lane?” Barron's asked, watching me carefully. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand at the memory. “It was like being owned.” Some women like that.” Not me.” Perhaps it depends on the man doing the owning.” I doubt it. I couldn’t breathe with him kissing me.” One day you may kiss a man you can’t breathe without, and find breath is of little consequence.” Right, and one day my prince might come.” I doubt he’ll be a prince, Ms. Lane. Men rarely are.

— Karen Marie Moning

We stand strong, or we cower. We emerge victorious, tempered by our trials, or fractured by a permanent, damming fault line.

— Karen Marie Moning

What are you" -Mac "I don't follow" -Jericho "You dropped 30 feet in that warehouse. You should have broken something. What are you?" -Mac "A man with a rope." -Jericho

— Karen Marie Moning

... When a man first awakens, it sometimes takes several moments before he starts thinking clearly."" And here I thought it took several years, perhaps a lifetime for the average man's intellect to kick in.

— Karen Marie Moning

When anything is possible, how do you choose?

— Karen Marie Moning

When he kisses me again, the last part of me that could stand myself dies.

— Karen Marie Moning

When you were too young and naïve to see the risks, I incurred your wrath to protect you. Scream at me for it if you must. Thank me for it when you finally grow up.

— Karen Marie Moning

Why did you laugh right before you lost consciousness.”“Death’s an adventure? I lived big. Rigor mortis makes your face stick. So, who knew how to thaw me?”“Death’s an insult.”“At least an affront,” I agree.

— Karen Marie Moning