Edith

“she thought about what happily-ever-afters were about, and decided that true love didn’t mean effortless, and ever-after wasn’t about cruise control. You started with the attraction, and then you opened your heart and your soul—but all that, which was no small thing, just got you to first base. There were many, many other trips to take to deeper levels of greater acceptance and understanding. That was where you found the happy. And the ever-after was the work you were always willing to put in to stay close, to learn, and to grow as people together.”
― J.R. Ward, Blood Kiss

“Oh, by the way, Phury's here again, and he brought that Chosen with him. Figured you'd want to know in case you see a random female ghosting around here."
Whoa. Surprise. "How's he doing?"
Zsadist paused. "I don't know. He's pretty tight about shit. Not real talkative. The bastard."
"Oh, and you're a candidate for The View?"
"Right back at you, Bahbwa."
"Touché.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Unbound

“There was no reply. So Z glanced over again - just as a tear slide down Phury's cheek.
"Ah...fuck," Z muttered.
"Yeah. Pretty much." Another tear rolled out of Phury's eye. "God...damn. I'm leaking."
"Okay, brace yourself."
Phury scrubbed his face with his palms. "Why?"
"Because... I think I'm going to try to hug you.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Awakened

“Hi. How are you feeling?"
"Downright perky, thanks for asking."
She smiled a little until she came up to him. With her night vision, she saw that he was lying on top of the covers with only a pair of boxers on. He had a gauze pad around his belly and was covered with bruises. And-oh God-his leg...
"Don't worry,". he said dryly. I haven't had that foot-and-shin combo for over a century. And I really am okay. Just some aesthetic damage."
"Then why are you wearing that bandage like a sash?"
"It makes my ass look smaller.”
― J.R. Ward, Lover Awakened