"Maybe for a longer time, for the second offense. Probably some good long lectures and swearing in foreign languages, too." She'd learned most of her cursing in Greek during that year.

And then Papa had gotten too sick, of course, and any thoughts of being a teenage girl were quickly put away in favor of being a perfect mini-adult.

Her next rebellion over a boy had waited until she was nineteen.

"Have you ever asked why they don't approve of Julien?" Ever asked for more than the fact that he's dangerous? Because of course he is. He's that and more. But so's Elisha, really, or he wouldn't be such good friends with Zoe's own rebellion.