“
Their hands clasped between them, he whispered into her ear, "I claim you, too, Aelin Galathynius.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
She was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius—and she would not be afraid.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
There are no gods left to watch, I’m afraid. And there are no gods left to help you now, Aelin Galathynius.'
Aelin smiled, and Goldryn burned brighter. 'I am a god.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Aelin Galathynius had raised an army not just to challenge Morath, but to rattle the stars.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
They joined hands.
So the world ended.
And the next one began.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
She looked at them, at the three males who meant everything—more than everything. Then she smiled with every last shred of courage, of desperation, of hope for the glimmer of that glorious future. “Let’s go rattle the stars.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Her cheek against the moss, the young princess she had been - Aelin Galathynius - reached a hand for her. 'Get up', she said softly.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
Behind them, across the hall, the dancers shattered their roses on the floor, and Aedion grinned at his queen as the entire world went to hell.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
But perhaps the monsters needed to look out for each other every now and then.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Where will we go?"
"I hear hell is particularly nice at this time of year.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Where is Aelin.
Where is my wife?
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen, knew the time would soon come to prove just how much she'd bleed for Erilea.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
You will find, Rolfe, that one does not deal with Celaena Sardothien. One survives her
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Let’s go rattle the stars.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
To whatever end?” she breathed. Rowan followed her, as he had his entire life, long before they had ever met, before their souls had sparked into existence. “To whatever end, Fireheart.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Thirty minutes later, Rowan was still staring up at the ceiling, teeth gritted as he calmed the roaring in
his veins that was steadily shredding through his self-control.
That gods-damned nightgown.
Shit.
He was in such deep, unending shit.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
I am here, I am with you.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
They were infinite. They were the beginning and the ending; they were eternity. The king standing before them gaped as the shield of flame died out to reveal Aelin and Dorian, hand in hand, glowing like newborn gods as their magic entwined.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Tell me that we’ll get through tomorrow. Tell me that we’ll survive the war. Tell me—” She swallowed hard. “Tell me that even if I lead us all to ruin, we’ll burn in hell together.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Ten years of shadows, but no longer. Light up the darkness, Majesty.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
It was a long story, and sometimes she grew quiet and cried - and during those times he leaned over to wipe away her tears.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
Elegant, feminine, and utterly wild. Warm, and steadfast—unbreakable, his queen.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Whatever you had to do to survive, whatever you did from spite or rage or selfishness … I don’t give a damn. You’re here—and you’re perfect. You always were, and you always will be.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
He shifted his arm so he could brush her hair back. His fingers lingered along her jaw. “You make me want to live, too, Aelin Galathynius,” he said. “Not exist—but live.” He cupped her cheek, and took a steadying breath—as if he’d thought about every word these past three days, over and over again. “I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
And he looked lonely enough that she said, 'If you like, you could be my friend'.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
We came," Manon said, loud enough that all on the city walls could hear, "to honor a promise made to Aelin Galathynius. To fight for what she promised us."
Darrow said quietly, "And what was that?"
Manon smiled then. "A better world.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Aelin looked at Chaol and Dorian and sobbed. Opened her arms to them, and wept as they held each other. “I love you both,” she whispered. “And no matter what may happen, no matter how far we may be, that will never change.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Even when we’re apart tomorrow, I’ll be with you every step of the way. And every step after—wherever that may be.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Thank you for the oil," he added. "My skin was a little dry.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin had promised herself, months and months ago, that she would not pretend to be anything but what she was. She had crawled through darkness and blood and despair-she had survived.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
And tell Rowan,” Aelin said, fighting her own sob, “that I'm sorry I lied. But tell him it was all borrowed time anyway. Even before today, I knew it was all just borrowed time, but I still wish we'd had more of it.” She fought past her trembling mouth. “Tell him he has to fight. He must save Terrasen, and remember the vows he made to me. And tell him . . . tell him thank you—for walking that dark path with me back to the light.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
It would all be fine, even if it went to hell, so long as he was here with her.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
I missed you,” he said quietly, his gaze darting between her mouth and eyes. “When I was in
Wendlyn. I lied when I said I didn’t. From the moment you left, I missed you so much I went out of my
mind. I was glad for the excuse to track Lorcan here, just to see you again. And tonight, when he had
that knife at your throat …” The warmth of his callused finger bloomed through her as he traced a path
over the cut on her neck. “I kept thinking about how you might never know that I missed you with only
an ocean between us. But if it was death separating us … I would find you. I don’t care how many
rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate, I would find you
again. Always.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
And at long last, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius was home.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin Galathynius looked at Manon Blackbeak over their crossed swords and let out a low, vicious snarl.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
She realized that Rowan saw each of those thoughts and more as he reached into his tunic and pulled out a dagger. Her dagger. He extended it to her, it's long blade gleaming as if he'd been secretly polishing and caring for it these months.
And when she grasped the dagger, it's weight lighter than she remembered, Rowan looked into her eyes, into her very core of her, and said, 'Fireheart'.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
I am going to find the Crochans. And I am going to raise an army with them. For Aelin Galathynius. And her people. And for ours. - Manon
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Rowan stood with his queen in the rain, breathing in her scent, and let her steal his warmth for as long as she needed.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin took a step forward.
One step, as if in a daze.
She loosed a shuddering breath, and a small, whimpering noise came out of her - a sob.
And then she was sprinting down the alley, flying as though the winds themselves pushed at her heels.
She flung herself on the male, crashing into him hard enough that anyone else might have gone rocking back into the stone wall.
But the male grabbed her to him, his massive arms wrapping around her tightly and lifting her up. Nesryn made to approach, but Aedion stopped her with a hand on her arm.
Aelin was laughing as she cried, and the male was just holding her, his hooded head buried in her neck. As if he were breathing her in.
"Who is that?" Nesryn asked.
Aedion smiled. "Rowan.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin Galathynius smiled at her, hand still outreached. "Get up." the princess said.
Celaena reached across the earth between them and brushed her fingers against Aelin's.
And arose.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
How can I take away somebody who means the world to someone else? Even if she is my enemy.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
He gripped her hard, forcing her to meet his eyes as he snarled, “I see you. I see every part of you. And I am not afraid.”
I will not be afraid.
A line in the burning brightness.
My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius . . .
And I will not be afraid.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
For across every mountain, spread beneath the green canopy of Oakwald, carpeting the entire Plain of Theralis, the kingsflame was blooming.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Tell me that even if I lead us all to ruin, we’ll burn in hell together.'
'We’re not going to hell, Aelin,' he said. 'But wherever we go, we’ll go together.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
And Elide sobbed as Manon Blackbeak emerged, smiling faintly.
As Manon Blackbeak saw her and Aelin, knee-to-knee in the grass, and mouthed one word.
Hope.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Fireheart, her mother had called her.
Not for her power. The name had never once been about her power.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Power called to power among the Fae. Perhaps Aelin Galathynius was unlucky the cadre had been drawn to Maeve’s power long before she was born, had chained themselves to her instead. Perhaps they were the unlucky ones, for not holding out for something better.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
I'm going to call in old debts and promises. To raise an army of assassins and thieves and exiles and commoners.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
She yawned, and Rowan rubbed his eyes, his other hand still in hers. But he didn't let go. And when she awoke before dawn, warm and safe and rested, Rowan was still holding her hand, clasped to his chest.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
Fenrys … You know, I don’t actually know your family name.” Fenrys threw a roguish wink at the queen. “Moonbeam.” “It is not,” Aelin hissed, choking on a laugh. Fenrys laid a hand on his heart. “I am blood-sworn to you. Would I lie?
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Her scent hit him. For a second, he could only breathe it deep into his lungs,his Fae instincts roaring that this was his family, this was his queen, this was Aelin. He would have known her even if he were blind. Even if there was another scent entwined with hers. Staggeringly powerful and ancient and—male. Interesting.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Celaena Sardothien wasn’t in league with Aelin Ashryver Galathynius.
Celaena Sardothien was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir to the throne and rightful Queen of Terranes.
Celaena was Aelin Galathynius, the greatest living threat to Adarlan, the one person who could raise an army capable of standing against the king. Now, she was also the one person who knew the secret source of the king’s power—and who sought a way to destroy it.
And he had just sent her into the arms of her strongest potential allies: to the homeland of her mother, the kingdom of her cousin, and the domain of her aunt, Queen Maeve of the Fae.
Celaena was the lost Queen of Terrasen.
Chaol sank to his knees.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2))
“
But she didn't want to know - didn't want to think about the Sun Goddess and her agenda as she flung herself on Rowan, breathing in his scent, memorizing the feel of him. The first member of her court - the court that would change the world. The court that would rebuild it. Together.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
She knew he meant it. He’d burn the library, the city or the whole world to ashes if she asked him. It was their bond, marked by blood and scent and something else she couldn’t place. A tether as strong as the one that bound her to her parents. Stronger, in some ways.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. And I am the Queen of Terrasen.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Tell Aelin Galathynius that Wendlyn has never forgotten Evalin Ashryver,” Galan said to him, to Aedion. “Or Terrasen.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Maybe this city did deserve Aelin Galathynius’s flames. Maybe Chaol deserved to burn, too.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
The male I fell in love with was you. It was you, who knew pain as I did, and who walked me through it, back to the light. Maeve didn't understand that. That even if she could create this perfect world, it wouldn't be you with me. And I'd never trade that, trade this. Not for anything.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
She wondered whether the queen knew. Rowan did. Aedion did. And Arobynn did. He had understood that with Rowan, she was no longer afraid of him; with Rowan, Arobynn was now utterly unnecessary. Irrelevant.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin was no savior to rally behind, but a cataclysm to be weathered.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
The wrath Chaol found in Aelin’s eyes was world-ending. “You bring my court into this, Chaol,” Aelin said with lethal softness, “and I don’t care what you were to me, or what you have done to help me. You betray them, you hurt them, and I don’t care how long it takes, or how far you go: I’ll burn you and your gods-damned kingdom to ash. Then you’ll learn just how much of a monster I can be.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
One blink for yes. Two for no. Three for Are you all right? Four for I am here, I am with you. Five for This is real, you are awake.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Rise,” Darrow said, “Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
You survived; I survived. We’re together again. I once begged the gods to let me see you — if only for a moment. To see you and know you’d made it. Just once; that was all I ever hoped for.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Rowan had not possessed an army of his own to give to Aelin. To give to Terrasen. So he had won an army for her.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
You deserve to be happy,” he said. And meant it. She deserved the joy he so often glimpsed on her face when Rowan was near—deserved the wicked laughter she shared with Aedion, the comfort and teasing with Lysandra. She deserved happiness, perhaps more than anyone.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
TERRASEN REMEMBERS EVALIN ASHRYVER.
DO YOU?
I FOUGHT AT MISTWARD FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
RETURN THE GODS-DAMNED FAVOR.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
From tears to sass in a few minutes. I'm glad the month apart hasn't dimmed your usual good spirits.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
What in hell is that?”
She kept going toward the bathroom, refusing to apologize or look down at the pink, delicate, very
short lace nightgown. When she emerged, face washed and clean, Rowan was sitting up, arms crossed
over his bare chest. “You forgot the bottom part.”
She merely blew out the candles in the room one by one. His eyes tracked her the entire time.
“There is no bottom part,” she said, flinging back the covers on her side. “It’s starting to get so hot,
and I hate sweating when I sleep. Plus, you’re practically a furnace. So it’s either this or I sleep
naked. You can sleep in the bathtub if you have a problem with it.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
I know you are tired, Fireheart. I know that the burden on your shoulders is more than anyone should endure. But we'll face this together. Erawan, the Lock, all of it. We'll face it together... We'll face it together. And if the cost of it truly is you, then we'll pay it together. As one soul in two bodies.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
This thing between them, the force of it, could devour the world. And if they picked it, picked them, it might very well cause the end of it.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Why bother when a dramatic entrance is so much more fun?
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
The queen looked at the nails, the teeth, and grinned.
Honestly–it was a shame that Manon had to kill her.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
I know you two are old and up past your bedtime so ill keep this quick.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
I kept thinking about how you might never know that I missed you with only an ocean between us. But if it was death separating us … I would find you. I don’t care how many rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate, I would find you again. Always.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin Galathynius said quietly, “You never stop seeing their faces.”
It was only when they were rowing for the shore, spindrift soaking them, that Manon realized the queen hadn't meant the Thirteen. And Manon wondered if Aelin, too, had watched that cloak floating out to sea and thought it looked like spilled blood.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5))
“
Aelin said to Fenrys, “We’ll only invite him to Orynth on holidays.” “So he can ruin the festivities?” Fenrys scowled. “I, for one, cherish my holidays. I don’t need a misanthrope raining on them.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7))
“
Aedion touched her shoulder. “Welcome home, Aelin.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
He lifted the lavender soap to his hair, and she squeaked.
“You don’t use that in your hair,” she hissed, jolting from her perch to reach for one of the many hair tonics lining the little shelf above the bath. “Rose, lemon verbena, or …” She sniffed the glass bottle. “Jasmine.” She squinted down at him.
He was staring up at her, his green eyes full of the words he knew he didn’t have to say. Do I look like I care what you pick?
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
She dared a look at Rowan, whose face remained carefully blank, but saw the words there anyway. You wicked, clever fox. And here you were, thinking the red hair was just for vanity. I shall never doubt again.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
And though he stood taller than her, he felt smaller as Aelin stared at him. No, not just Aelin. Queen Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, he realized, was staring at him.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Not flowers—never flowers in Terrasen. Instead, they carried small stones to graves to mark their visits, to tell the dead that they still remembered.
Stones were eternal—flowers were not.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
He had come for her. She held his gaze as she grabbed her own dagger and cut her palm, right over the scar she’d given herself at Nehemia’s grave. And though she knew he could read the words on her face, she said, “To what ever end?”
He nodded, and she joined hands with him, blood to blood and soul to soul, his other arm coming around to grip her tightly. Their hands clasped between them, he whispered into her
ear, “I claim you, too, Aelin Galathynius.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
Rowan’s head was still angled as he asked, “Your mothers were cousins, Prince, but who sired
you?”
Aedion lounged in his chair. “Does it matter?”
“Do you know?” Rowan pressed.
Aedion shrugged. “She never told me—or anyone.”
“I’m guessing you have some idea?” Aelin asked.
Rowan said, “He doesn’t look familiar to you?”
“He looks like me.”
“Yes, but—” He sighed. “You met his father. A few weeks ago. Gavriel
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin hissed, "Need I remind you Captain, that you went to Endovier and did not blink at the slaves and the mass graves? Need I remind you that I was starved and chained and you let Duke Perrington force me to the ground at Dorian's feet while you did nothing? And now you have the nerve to accuse me of not caring, when many of the people in this city have profited off the blood and misery of the very people you ignored?
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
There was a poem scribbled at the top of the Ashryver family tree, as though some student had dashed it down as a reminder while studying.
Ashryver Eyes
The fairest eyes, from legends old
Of brightest blue, ringed with gold
Bright blue eyes, ringed with gold. A strangled cry came out of him. How many times had he looked into those eyes? How many times had he seen her avert her gaze, that one bit proof she couldn't hide, from the king?
Celaena Sardothien wasn't in league with Aelin Ashryver Galathynius.
Celaena Sardothien was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir to the throne and righful Queen of Terrasen.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2))
“
And slowly, wobbling, a droplet of water the size of a marble rose from the surface to her cupped palm.
“No wonder your sense of self-preservation is so pathetic, if that’s all the water you can conjure.” But Rowan flicked her chin, and she knew he understood what it meant, to have summoned even a droplet to her hand. To feel her mother smiling at her from realms away.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
Celaena walked and walked, until she found herself by the tree-lined shore of a lake, glaringly bright in the midday sun. She figured it was as good a spot as any as she crumpled to the mossy bank, as her arms wrapped tight around herself and she bowed over her knees.
There was nothing that could be done to fix her. And she was...she was...
A whimpering noise came out of her, lips trembling to hard she had to clamp down to keep the sound inside.
--
She vaguely felt the light shifting on the lake. Vaguely felt the sighing wind, warm as it brushed against her damp cheeks. And heard, so soft it was as if she dreamed it, a woman's voice whispering, Why are you crying, Fireheart?...
"Because I am lost," she whispered onto the earth. "And I do not know the way.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
She sucked in a shuddering breath, and he pulled back far enough for them to share breath. Her fingers shook as she brushed them against his mouth, and his control nearly shredded apart right there.
'What are you waiting for?' he said, the words near guttural.
'Bastard,' she murmured, and kissed him.
Her mouth was soft and warm, and he bit back a groan. His body went still—his entire world went still—at that whisper of a kiss, the answer to a question he’d asked for centuries. He realized he was staring only when she withdrew slightly. His fingers tightened at her waist.
'Again,' he breathed.
She slid out of his grip. 'If we live through tomorrow, you’ll get the rest.'
He didn’t know whether to laugh or roar. 'Are you trying to bribe me into surviving?'
She smiled at last. And damn if it didn’t kill him, the quiet joy in her face.
They had walked out of darkness and pain and despair together. They were still walking out of it. So that smile … It struck him stupid every time he saw it and realized it was for him.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
But they held tighter to each other, past and present and future; flickering between an ancient hall in a mountain castle perched above Orynth, a bridge suspended between glass towers, and another place, perfect and strange, where they had been crafted from stardust and light. A wall of night knocked them back. But they could not be contained. The darkness paused for breath. They erupted.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Why don’t you get to the point,” she drawled. “I want to have a few hours of sleep tonight.” Not a lie. With every breath, exhaustion wrapped tighter around her bones.
“I would have thought,” Arobynn said, “given how close you two were and your abilities, that you’d somehow be able to sense it. Or at least hear of it, considering what he was accused of.”
The prick was enjoying every second of this. If Dorian was dead or hurt—
“Your cousin Aedion has been imprisoned for treason—for conspiring with the rebels here in Rifthold to depose the king and put you back on the throne.”
The world stopped.
Stopped, and started, then stopped again.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Aelin braced her forearms on the bar, crossing one ankle over the other. "Hello, Tern." Arobynn's second in command-or he had been two years ago. A vicious, calculating little prick who had always been more than eager to do Arobynn's dirty work. "I figured it was only a matter of time before one of Arobynn's dogs sniffed me out."
Tern flashed a too-bright smile. "If memory serves, you were always his favorite bitch.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
We do not look back, Chaol. It helps no one and nothing to look back. We can only go on.”
There she was, that queen looking out at him, a hint of the ruler she was becoming. And it knocked the breath out of him, because it made him feel so strangely young—when she now seemed so old. “What if we go on,” he said, “only to more pain and despair? What if we go on, only to find a horrible end waiting for us?”
Aelin looked northward, as if she could see all the way to Terrasen. “Then it is not the end.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Faster than lightening, his hand shot out and she gagged, jolting as he grabbed her tongue between his fingers...He released her tongue, and she gasped for breath. She swore at him, a filthy, foul name, and spat at his feet. And that's when he bit her. She cried out as those canines pierced the spot between her neck and shoulder, a primal act of aggression--the bite so strong and claiming that she was too stunned to move. He had her pinned against the tree and clamped down harder, his canines digging deep, her blood spilling onto her shirt. Pinned, like some weakling. But that was what she'd become, wasn't it? Useless, pathetic.
She growled, more animal than sentient being. And shoved.
Rowan staggered back a step, teeth ripping her skin and she struck his chest. She didn't feel the pain, didn't care about the blood or flash of light. No, she wanted to rip his throat out--rip it out with the elongated canines she bared at him as she finished shifting and roared.
Rowan grinned. "There you are.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3))
“
I can't bury another friend."
"You won't."
"If anything ever happened to you, Rowan-"
"Don't" he breathed. "Don't even say it. We dealt with that enough the other night."
He lifted a hand - hesitated, and then brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. His callused fingers scrapped against her cheekbone, then caressed the shell of her ear.
It was foolish to even start down that road, when every other man she'd let in had left some wound, in one way or another, accidentally or not.
There was nothing tender in his face. Only a predator's glittering gaze. "When we get back," he said, "remind me to prove you wrong about every thought that just went through your head."
She lifted an eyebrow. "Oh?"
He gave her a sly smile that made thinking impossible. Exactly what he wanted - to distract her from the horrors of tomorrow. "I'll even let you decide how I tell you: with words"- his eyes flickered once to her mouth- "or with my teeth and tongue.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
Why", he asked. "Why did you save her?"
She dragged a hand through her hair. A white bandage around her upper arm peeked through her shirt with the movement. He hadn't even been conscious for that wound. He stifled the urge to demand to see it, assess the injury himself—and tug her close against him.
"Because that golden-haired witch, Asterin...," Aelin said. "She screamed Manon's name the way I screamed yours."
Rowan stilled. His queen gazed at the floor, as if recalling the moment.
"How can I take away somebody who means the world to someone else? Even if she's my enemy." A little shrug. "I thought you were dying. It seemed like bad luck to let her die out of spite. And..." she snorted. "Falling into a ravine seemed like a pretty shitty way to die for someone who fights that spectacularly."
Rowan smiled, drinking in the sight of her: pale, grave face; the dirty clothes; the injuries. Yet her shoulders were back, chin high. "You make me proud to serve you."
A jaunty slant to her lips, but silver lined her eyes. "I know.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))
“
She kept her stare locked on his as she let go of his face and slowly, making sure he understood every step of the way,tilted her head back until her throat was arched and bared before him.
"Aelin," he breathed. Not in reprimand or warning, but... a plea. It sounded like a plea. He lowered his head to her exposed neck and hovered a hair's breath away.
She arched her neck farther, a silent invitation.
Rowan let out a soft groan and grazed his teeth against her skin.
One bite, one movement, was all it would take for him to rip out her throat.
His elongated canines slid along her flesh-gently, precisely. She clenched the sheets to keep from running her fingers down on his bare back and drawing him closer.
He braced one hand beside her head, his fingers twining in her hair.
"No one else," she whispered. "I would never allow anyone else at my throat." Showing him was the only way he'd understand that trust, in a manner that only the predatory, Fae side of him would comprehend. "No one else," she said again.
He let out another low groan, answer and confirmation and request, and the rumble echoed inside her. Carefully, he closed his teeth over the spot where her lifeblood thrummed and pounded, his breath hot on her skin.
She shut her eyes, every sense narrowing on that sensation, on the teeth and mouth at her throat, on the powerful body trembling with restraint above hers. His tongue flicked against her skin.
She made a small noise that might have been a moan, or a word, or his name. He shuddered and pulled back, the cool air kissing her neck. Wildness-pure wildness sparked in those eyes.
”
”
Sarah J. Maas (Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4))