For what is a flower but life’s expressed passion for itself. Sudden and brief, but certain and eternal at the same time - Alice Borchardt

He was, she thought, as beautiful as a young god, lying on his side among the grass and flowers

She was afraid of men, with good reason, but she need not fear all of them. Cai loved her and somehow always would. But above all, she could trust him, because dishonesty wasn’t in him. Not always a good trait but a part of his nature. He kept faith without thinking about it at all. He couldn’t imagine not doing so

He is tremendously strong, she thought, and liked the idea, even as she had feared that strength when she first met him