When you take advice from a cat, there are always consequences.

If I could, I would live forever in this moment. But no one can live in a moment, and time moves on.

You are arrogant,” says the cat, “and you are in love. Either one of these things alone might be overcome, but together, they make for a stubborn combination.

It’s in my blood, as magic is in yours.” His mouth is still smiling, but his tone is somber. “I couldn’t stop writing even if I wanted to.

Sacredness and profanity and prayers and wishes: they’re all held together by the broken limbs of this dead tree, raking the night sky with its blackened branches. We are so small, the two of us....