1
Monique whirled around and ran to her husband. “Pray with me, pray with me. We are going to die this night, Alexander.” Raven shut the door and leaned against it. “Don’t panic on me, Monique. We have a chance if we can stall him.” Alexander glared at her, his arm protectively around his wife, his hand already swollen and sore looking. “Don’t listen to her, Monique. She almost strangled me and threw me against the wall with unbelievable strength. She is unclean.” Raven rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I’m beginning to wish I did have all that power you think I have. I’d find a way to keep you from talking.” “He is afraid for us.” Monique spoke in a conciliatory tone. “Can’t we take off his chains?” “He would try to attack Andre the moment he returned.” Raven made a face at Alexander, completely exasperated with him. “That would get him killed fas .Christine Feehan
2
I just want some time, Mikhail, to think things through. It’s frightening, the way I am about you. I think about you every minute; I want to touch you, just to know I can, to feel you beneath my fingers. It’s as if you crawled into my head and my heart, even my body, and I can’t get you out.Christine Feehan
3
You're the kind of man my mother warned me about.Christine Feehan
4
-Mikhail?...Try making suggestions next time, or just plain asking. You go do whatever it is you're doing, and I'll go search you extensive library for a book on manners.- You will not find it.- Why am I not surprised?Christine Feehan
5
The trouble is not really in being alone, it's being lonely. One can be lonely in the midst of a crowd, don't you think?Christine Feehan
6
If you are a vampire, then a vampire is not the creature of the legends.Christine Feehan
7
Someone needs to drag you kicking and screaming into this century.Christine Feehan
8
His hand cupped her face, his thumb caressing the delicate line of her jaw. “Listen to me, Raven.” He brushed a kiss on the top of her silky head. “I know I do not deserve you. You think you are somehow less than what I am, but in truth, you are so far above me, I have no right even to reach for you.” When she stirred as if to protest, Mikhail held her tighter. “No, little one, I know this is true. I see you clearly, whereas you do not have access to my thoughts and memories. I cannot give you up. I wish I was a stronger, better man so that I could do so, but I cannot. I can only promise you that I will do everything in my power to make you happy, to provide for you everything I can possibly give you. I ask for time to learn your ways, for room to make mistakes. If you need to hear words of love”– his mouth skimmed down the side of her face to find the corner of her mouth–“ then I can say them to you in all honesty. I never believed I would have a woman of my own, a true lifemate. I have never wanted a woman for my own.” His kiss was infinitely tender, a searing, smoky flame tasting of love and longing. “You are in my heart to stay, Raven. I know better than you the differences between us. I ask only for a chance. .Christine Feehan
9
If I really wanted you to love me, I should have presented more of a challenge.” She burrowed deeper into a pillow. “My hair is a mess.” Mikhail sat on the edge of the bed, took the mass of silk in his hands, and gently began to weave the thick strands into a long, loose braid, “If you presented much more of a challenge, little one, my heart would never be able to take it.” He sounded amused.Christine Feehan