There are some mechanisms that are so—so broken that they cannot be repaired.

“You’re alive," she whispered. "Really alive."With a slow wonderment he reached …”

“How had it happened, Simon thought, that he was bound to these people—to people…”

“You know how the bonds of family are, my lady... They cling as tightly as vines…”

“It was, of course, odd for a lady to be opening her own door, but from the look…”