“Did you really think you'd escape me?' Casteel asked softly.

Anger was sharper than any blade, far more welcomed than the hopelessness. 'I almost did.'

'Almost means nothing, Princess. You should know that.'

I did. 'I'm not walking back to that keep.'

'Would you prefer that I carry you?' he offered.

'I would prefer never to see your face again.'

'Now all three of us know that's a lie.”