Seven Surrenders (Terra Ignota, #2)

by Ada Palmer

the potential to be active. That potential spoils the illusion, like when you know a ba’sib is in earshot in the next room, and the fact distracts you even if they do nothing.

.

closed His eyes, the only sense we have the power, at our will,

to shut off.

Some men are built to love many times, some once,

.

we measure success by happiness, admiring a man for how much he enjoyed his life, rather than how much wealth or fame he hoarded,