Snow nodded, understanding completely. Didn't she love her gun more than she did most people? Didn't she take pride in how Rose Red glittered, even though the black opal had at first changed the weight and balance, even though the glitter of it had brought her more grief than good when she went out into the world? Didn't she know that it took particular people and a lot of patience to see something worth loving in the disaster her parents had left behind?

"I... he..." She stopped, confused. Did she use past or present tense here? It was the "Kash has Zahra. It's not like that. But..." The words trickled to a stop again, not knowing how to put words to the feelings.