Jo Walton

It doesn’t matter. I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books

“Do you have the writings of Quintus Curtius?” he responds, and she writes back “I do. But you are the first person to offer them to me instead of telling me Alexander is no fit subject for a woman.” He has San Marco’s copy of Plutarch’s Life of Alexander copied for her.

And more pride, always pride.”

He shrugs, still blushing fiercely. “That doesn’t matter. I’ve virginity enough for both of us.”

And maybe we could have a dog,” he says.

She laughs. He likes her laugh. “A dog?”