You're just afraid," I flung at him. "Of what would happen to you and your life at court if you were to carry Elisandra away. Of what your father would say. Of what Bryan would do to you."

Now he, too, looked angry. "I am afraid of many things, but those are not the fears that keep me from action," he said.

I turned my back on him. "Then I don't understand you," I said.

I heard the door open. "No," he said, "and you never have.

Author: Sharon Shinn