Curse Of Shadows And Thorns Quotes

Many a mother would happily toss their daughters at your feet.” “Wouldn’t work, I’m afraid. I prefer my women off their knees, upright, and standing on their own.” “At your back?” “At my side.

Faeries began calling foul play, demanding Tamlin be released from the curse, calling her a liar. Through the haze, I saw Rhysand crouching by Tamlin. Not to help him, but to grab the- "You are all pigs - all scheming, filthy pigs." Then Rhysand was on his feet, my bloody knife in his hands. He launched himself at Amarantha, swift as a shadow, the ash dagger aimed at her throat. She lifted a hand - not even bothering to look - and he was blasted back by a wall of white light. But the pain paused for a second, long enough for me to see him hit the ground and rise again and lunge for her - with hands that now ended in talons. He slammed into the invisible wall Amarantha had raised around herself, and my pain flickered as she turned to him. "You traitorous piece of filth," she seethed at Rhysand. "You're just as bad as the human beasts." One by one, as if a hand were shoving them in, his talons pushed back into his skin, leaving blood in their wake. He swore, low and vicious. "You were planning this all along.

Books are my windows to another world, another life.

I am forever changed knowing you.

You have an obsession with trust when you do nothing to earn it.

And what you call oddities, I call qualities. You are unlike the Kvinna I expected to meet, but I swear to you, I’ve not had an ounce of disappointment since that day.

Not like this. I would rather live a thousand more turns with this curse.

but I imagined I’d rather be a sovereign of my own land than consort to the King of Timoran.

No one noticed if I was troubled, of course. No one but Legion.

Small and simple things can bring about greatness.

Do you think being witty when I have your hands bound is the wisest choice, Elise?” “Are you asking if I’m pleased to injure your pride by not groveling for my life at your feet? Yes, absolutely.

And that was really all. Will would have liked to say they lived happily ever after, if she wasn't cursed with both Wit and Honesty. But there was no such thing as happily ever after, no matter how much she loved her faerie tales. But they lived. And they were often happy. And it was always possible for each of them to banish the shadows from each other's lives. And that really is all anyone can hope for.

I have prepared for this for some time. I assure you, Kvinna, you are in capable hands.” “The only hands I consider capable are my own.” Legion lifted one brow, a playful gleam in his eyes. “Ah, but you have never experienced what mine can do.

This is my refuge. Books are my windows to another world, another life.

We choose who we become, Elise.

I ask how I am to give you to some fool because I do not know how. How am I to accomplish anything I set out to do here when my heart burns to have you for myself?

All of this is what you deserve in a match. And I wish, by the gods, I wish I could be the one to give it to you.

Is there anything you don’t do?” “Yes, lose arguments,

Jarl nodded his head and grinned. “I shall catch you a fine fur, Kvinna.” Was I supposed to swoon? I had plenty of furs. By the hells, I grew weary of this constant battering of overconfident men with a need to conquer.

I was told once, each decision we wrestle in our minds, each consequence we weigh, is how we gain faith in our final choices. We take time to decide who we are and when we choose, as you said, we stand by those choices fiercely.

I'll spare you the escort duties tomorrow,' he said, shrugging as he walked to the cell door. 'But the night after, I expect you to be looking your finest.' He gave me a grin that suggested my finest wasn't very much at all. He paused by the door, but didn't dissolve into darkness. 'I've been thinking of ways to torment you when you come to my court. I'm wondering: Will assigning you to learn to read be as painful as it looked today?' He vanished into shadow before I could launch myself at him. I paced through my cell, scowling at the eye in my hand. I spat every curse I could at it, but there was no response. It took me a long while to realise that Rhysand, whether he knew it or not, had effectively kept me from shattering completely.

My fingers grazed his. Warm and sturdy- patient, as if waiting to see what else I might do. Maybe it was the wind, but I stroked a finger down his. And as I turned to him more fully, something blinding and tinkling slammed into my face. I reeled back, crying out as I bent over, shielding my face against the light that I could still see against my shut eyes. Rhys let out a startled laugh. A laugh. And when I realised that my eyes hadn't been singed out of their sockets, I whirled on him. 'I could have been blinded!' I hissed, shoving him. He took a look at my face and burst out laughing again. Real laughter, open and delighted and lovely. I wiped at my face, and when I pulled my hands down, I gasped. Pale green light- like drops of paint- glowed in flecks on my hand. Splattered star-spirit. I didn't know if I should be horrified or amused. Or disgusted. When I went to rub it off, Rhys caught my hand. 'Don't,' he said, still laughing. 'It looks like your freckles are glowing.' My nostrils flared, and I went to shove him again, not caring if my new strength knocked him off the balcony. He could summon wings; he could deal with it. He sidestepped me, veering toward the balcony rail, but not fast enough to avoid the careening star that collided with the side of his face. He leaped back with a curse. I laughed, the sound rasping out of me. Not a chuckle or snort, but a cackling laugh. And I laughed again, and again, as he lowered his hands from his eyes. The entire left side of his face had been hit. Like heavenly war paint, that's what it looked like. I could see why he didn't want me to wipe mine away. Rhys was examining his hands, covered in the dust, and I stepped toward him, peering at the way it glowed and glittered. He went still as death as I took one of his hands in my own and traced a star shape on the top of his palm, playing with the glimmer and shadows, until it looked like one of the stars that had hit us. His fingers tightened on mine, and I looked up. He was smiling at me. And looked so un-High-Lord-like with the glowing dust on the side of his face that I grinned back. I hadn't even realised what I'd done until his own smile faded,, and his mouth partly slightly. 'Smile again,' he whispered. I hadn't smiled for him. Ever. Or laughed. Under the Mountain, I had never grinned, never chuckled. And afterward... And this male before me... my friend... For all that he had done, I had never given him either. Even when I had just... I had just painted something. On him. For him. I'd- painted again. So I smiled at him, broad and without restraint. 'You're exquisite,' he breathed.

She of the woods Swamp creature. All unwashed mouth, all river mud. You overgrown bramble. You outrageous thorn. Unafraid of a little blood. Unafraid of a lot. Opposition trembles before you. Runs away and tells stories of your unholiness. Your dirt and your anger. All your bite. Reputation doesn’t precede you; it follows you around with its tail between its legs. It cowers in your shadow. Curse the words of those who tried to bury you. Bless your inability to stay down.

Wouldn’t work, I’m afraid. I prefer my women off their knees, upright, and standing on their own.” “At your back?” “At my side.

- Merci d'être ma lumière dans l'obscurité.

The only hands I consider capable are my own.” Legion lifted one brow, a playful gleam in his eyes. “Ah, but you have never experienced what mine can do.

Perhaps, but would you agree it’s a rather ridiculous rule? Ridiculous rules are truly asking to be broken.

What began as a profitable position,” he went on. “I now feel . . . honored to know you.

A spectacle. And I was the catalyst for such an event. We would leave for Castle Ravenspire in moments, and there, King Zyben had planned a feast of feasts, court entertainment, balls, and hunts. To honor his poor niece who survived the enemies of New Timoran. Then as a warning to all, the three Agitators would be executed and hung on the gates. I had no desire to feast over such things.

This was not a proud moment. I didn’t understand why death—even an enemy’s death—was a thing to celebrate.

I slipped my fingers into Legion’s underneath the table, unbothered if he sensed how sweaty my palms were, or if he saw the thud of my heartbeat in my neck. I held his open palm on my leg, silently encouraging him to never let go. He didn’t.

This,” he said, voice raw. Legion’s palm opened on my chest, over my furious heart. “This is what you should demand. Ragged breaths, fire in your blood, sweat on your brow.

Drawn to him like a moth to its flame, its destruction, I looked.

Our words were heavy with the storm we’d created last night. Legion grinned, bowed his farewell at us, but as we passed, our fingertips brushed, then curled around each other for a secret, forbidden moment.

No mistake, when a wedding was over, their ambition to win me body and soul would end, and I would become a tarnished prize they tucked up in the cupboard and promptly forgot.

Back in the banquet hall, gowns, beringed fingers, and flower petal perfumes spun around the room. Select ladies were called in to join the queen in a capricious tea where we all praised and offered veiled insults to one another until we were bloodied to a pulp by words and arrogance.

The girl didn’t budge, not even a flinch ruffled her veil. “This path is not written in stone. It must be chosen.

Never was I so grateful thoughts couldn’t be read, for if he could see into my mind as we walked so near each other, he’d likely go red in the face.

You were right, Siv,” I whispered. “I wish I had more people I could trust around me, too.” Then, I left her to Legion. Betrayal a new knife in my heart.

Iscreamed her name, tears on my face. Hands peeled me away from her. No! I couldn’t leave her. I refused. She needed help. Needed healing. I fought as arms embraced me. My fists swung. I wanted to lash out, strike anything. Kill everything.

I need to do more before I can do nothing. Something great,” I said to the breeze.

would you agree it’s a rather ridiculous rule? Ridiculous rules are truly asking to be broken.

The bridges of Bevan’s cheeks reddened, but Legion laughed. At least someone thought my inappropriateness was entertaining.

I don’t speak for Elise. She has her own voice.” By the gods, the man knew how to set my pulse aflame.

If you wish it then do not leave!” With Legion five paces away now, I used the bed to brace my failing legs.

I will never bow to false kings and the whore who dares call herself a queen.

I was a fugitive amongst my own family.

latter. I didn’t know the best place to land a blow, only that in this moment it was a choice between a good man living and a brutal stranger dying.

He knew how to sit like a man who catered to no one; knew how to piously hold out a drinking horn for more ale or wine, then how to stroke the glass pride of surrounding nobles until they’d gone blue in the face from swallowing their self-importance.

Folk would stare and whisper about me, but never approach me. I was surrounded by countless people, yet always, in some way, alone.

What your heart desires, there your fate lies.” She lowered her voice to a rough whisper. “When you see the beast within, let him in to let him go. Only then will he bring the change you seek.

The weight of it is crushing, and tomorrow I will be expected to sneer, to shout, to hate.

You make me too grand a thing.” “Not possible.

I sound cowardly. Hiding in here, crying. When I should either use my voice, or not, then stand by my choice without faltering this way.” Legion scoffed and straightened. “True. You could be bold and sure on every choice, but then I would fear you might not be human.

We take time to decide who we are and when we choose, as you said, we stand by those choices fiercely.

But then, I’m not supposed to worry about a good companion. I’m supposed to be silent.” Legion dropped his gaze and picked at the grass. “The world would be darker should you be silent.” He’d said it so softly I wasn’t certain I’d heard correctly.

Fear burned for . . . everything. My parents. Runa. As distant as we were, they were my family, and I did not want them to die.

How many more centuries would pass before the people who claimed this land found peace amongst each other?

I boast an honored position as your negotiator, but in truth we know I am nothing but a servant.

How could I think of anything else but the memory of what we’d done, what we hadn’t, and what I wished we would.

Elise,” Bevan said. “Do you believe in fate?” “Yes,” I said cautiously. “Then, trust that fate has a part to play in all this.

I didn’t know anything about other kingdoms or their fury, or mesmer, or magic, but if it made a more peaceful world wasn’t it worth it?

By the gods, it’s as if you want the enemies of Timoran to drag us down to the hells.” I rolled my eyes. “No, but someday I would like peace. A way to negotiate a coexistence in this land without bloodshed.

All my guilt over this execution, this celebration, was beginning to feel more like treason than empathy. Naturally I should want my people to dominate. I should be as Runa, filled with pride Timorans could crush the backs of the rest. But I could not deny the wretched desire for a different kind of change.

All respect, Kvinna, but that is what consorts are for.” “I disagree,” Legion said softly, facing me. “If anyone should find a match that could be both lover and equal, it will—it should—be Elise.

No longer did I want to leave to spare myself discomfort, I wanted to be free to find some seedy, dark corner and fill it with me and Legion Grey.

My eyes widened when he lifted the tips of his fingers to his lips. His tongue swiped out, tasting me on his skin. All hells, I’d never seen anything so provocative, so seductive.

Leaning in, his lips feather soft on my cheek, he said, “All of this is what you deserve in a match. And I wish, by the gods, I wish I could be the one to give it to you.

A troubled heart,” she said. The room went silent. The girl stepped closer. “Release the past and trust those undeserving of it.

The tomb. Open it. Change it all.

I’m the weakest kind of Timoran. I hate that I feel this torment inside, how I love my people and hate them all at once.

How can I look condemned men in the eyes, who were not to blame for what happened to me, who fight for their land that was stolen from them? How do I look at them and feel nothing?

Loyalty, good intentions, compassion—all of it was needed to break this curse, and if I had to guess I’d say fury thrived in good intentions. Not that it didn’t work for the wicked, but potential was unlocked for the genuine.

I licked my lips and answered Jarl’s question, but my attention was only on Legion. “Choosing someone who shares interests and ambitions while holding my heart is all I’ve ever wanted.

I could not deny a need to be near him had bloomed within and I could not dull it.

I remained in the frontmost bench, thinking of what the veiled girl told me, how she spoke of change, how I longed for it, and how I’d lost faith in it. I didn’t know the tears were there until a drop splashed on my hand.

You were unexpected. Instead of a spoiled, arrogant princess, I was given you. Someone bold and daring and kind. What you have been dealt is . . . wrong. When these fools who come to me with coin, and promises, and threats, all for your hand, I see them as a strange kind of enemy. Forgive me, but it’s the truth on how I feel.

An ache bloomed in my heart, but I still smiled reading Lilianna describe her dark-eyed babe

I shouldn’t ask, shouldn’t even care to, but I’d never been one to listen to even my own intuition when curiosity was at play.

Elise,” he said my name like a summer breeze, soft and gentle. “I am here to learn about you. To keep you safe until our business is concluded. And what you call oddities, I call qualities. You are unlike the Kvinna I expected to meet, but I swear to you, I’ve not had an ounce of disappointment since that day.

Light and shadow ignited across the beach in a dazzling explosion of fury and magic. I rolled my head away at the blinding force of it, only to see glowing whips snake over the sand and impale the Ignios guards. Pale blue fissures webbed across their skin, seeming to tear them apart from within, and the air grew thick with the smell of burnt flesh. Dark vines laced with thorns curled up their legs and tightened until bone crunched and blood oozed from a hundred punctures. Their agonized screams turned garbled as shadowy tendrils punched through their guts and emerged writhing from their mouths. I looked away, unable to watch the slaughter continue. I didn’t judge Luther for what he’d done, but I could take no pleasure in it, either.

Legion’s fingers coiled around the end of my braid.

Fine. May I have my fingers back?