Hunt Athalar Quotes

I've got you," he murmured. "Sweetheart, I've got you.

The power shall always belong to those who give their lives to the city.

I heard what you said.' Pump, pump, pump went his powerful arms. 'What you waiting to admit until I was almost dead, you fucking coward.' His lightening surged into her, sending her body arcing off the ground as he tried to jump-start her heart. He snarled in her ear, 'Now come say it to my face.

Want to count my abs when we get home from the ballet?

It couldn't be. It... it couldn't be. Bryce and Hunt were frozen with shock. Ruhn whispered, "Day?" Lidia Cervos looked over a shoulder. And she said with quiet calm in a voice he knew like his own heartbeat, a voice he had never once heard her use as the Hind, "Night.

It means that he’s going ballistic in the way that only mates can when the other is threatened. It’s what happened then, and what’s happening now. You’re true mates—the way Fae are mates, in your bodies and souls. That’s what was different about your scent the other day. Your scents have merged. As they do between Fae mates.

Hunt." The entire world went quiet. "I was waiting for you." "Bryce, sweetheart, just get back to your apartment and give me an hour and-" "No," she whispered, closing her eyes. She put her hand on her chest. Over her heart. "I was waiting for you- in here." Hunt couldn't stop his own tears then. "I was waiting for you, too.

She whispered, "I'm scared." Danika grabbed her hand again. "That's the point of it, Bryce. Of Life. To live, to love, knowing that it might all vanish tomorrow. It makes everything that much more precious.

-It's illegal. -Are you quoting the motto of the Meat Market, or trying to tell me that you somehow don't have precisely what I need?

Isaiah coughed. "You watched Quinlan for one night." "Ten hours, to be exact. Right until her pet chimera just appeared next to me at dawn, bit me in ass for looking like I was dozing off, and then vanished again - right back into the apartment. Just as Quinlan came out of her bedroom and opened the curtains to see me grabbing my own ass like a f***ing idiot. Do you know how sharp a chimera's teeth are?

So Hunt pulled back. Stared into his mate's beautiful face for the last time. He laughed softly, a sound of wonder at odds with the crystal throne room and the monsters in it. "I love you. I wish I'd said it more. But I love you, Quinlan, and..." His throat closed up, his eyes stinging. His lips brushed her brow. "Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again. I promise.

Prince Hunt Athalar Danaan. He would have hated the last name were it not for the fact that it was a marker of her ownership over his soul, his heart.

Those look like broken ribs," Hunt said wryly. "Definitely broken ribs, Athalar," Bryce replied, sitting back on her heels. "And a broken arm, from the way he's cradling it." "Skull fracture's healed," Hunt observed with equal distance, as if they were on one of his favorite Vanir crime show procedurals. Ithan's eyes flashed again. "I'm sensing hostility and a good dose of male pride," Bryce said. "Throw in some stubbornness and I'd say we've got a classic case of stupidity," Hunt answered. "What the fuck is wrong with you two?" Ithan demanded.

Declan said, "Can we pause for a moment and remark on the fact that both of you have spoken to the Prince of the Pit? Is no one else about to puke at the thought?" Ruhn held up a hand, and Tharion lazily lifted one from the bench, but Bryce high-fived Hunt. "Special kids club," she said to the angel, who winked at her.

Fry this fucker,” Bryce muttered to Hunt as the dog snarled. “I’m assessing.” “Assess faster. Roast it like a—” “Do not make a joke about—” “Hot dog.

Bryce barely heard the woman as she nodded. Barely heard anything beyond Hunt's lingering words. I've got you. Her fingers curled around his. She let her eyes tell him everything her ravaged throat couldn't. I've got you, too.

Come on,' he repeated, pumping her chest again with his hands. 'I'm waiting for you.' He'd been waiting for her from the moment he'd been born. And as if she'd heard him, Bryce exploded into life.

He said after a while, "You traded your resting place in the Bone Quarter for Danika's." "Given what happens to everyone over there, I feel kind of relieved about that now." "Yeah." He took one of her hands in his and laid their interlaced fingers atop his heart. "But wherever you're headed when this life is over, Quinlan, that's where I want to be, too.

...I realised all this was the wrong path. But you and me, Bryce... You are where I want to end up. A life- with you. You are my fucking path.

It'd be safer not to go at all, but here we are, going," Hunt said. Ruhn wasn't entirely sure what to do with himself as the angel crossed the room and knelt before Bryce, grabbing her hands. "I want a future with you. That's why I'm going. I'm going to fight for that future." His sister's eyes softened. Hunt kissed her hands. "And to do so, we can't play by other people's rules.

Why,' she asked Bryce, 'is Hunt Athalar your roommate?' 'He was booted from the 33rd for his questionable fashion sense,' she said munching on the croissant. 'I told him his boring black clothes don't bother me, and let him stay here.

It's almost out," the witch hissed, grunting with effort. "Hang on, Bryce." She did. To Hunt, to his hand, to that softness in his eyes, she held on. With all she had. "I've got you," he murmured. "Sweetheart, I've got you." He'd never said it like that before- that word. It had always been mocking, teasing. She'd always found it just this side of annoying. Not this time. Not when he held her hand and her gaze and everything she was. Riding out the pain with her. "Breathe," he ordered her. "You can do it. We can get through this." Get through it- together. Get through this mess of a life together. Through this mess of a world.

I've got you,' he murmured. 'Sweetheart, I've got you.

What sort of an afterward for you and me do you have in mind, Athalar?' He didn't balk from her searching gaze. 'The good kind,' he said with equal quiet.

Hunt's fingers stroked over her brow. 'I thought to myself, There's someone I want guarding my back. There's a friend I'd live to have. I think I gave you such a hard time when we met up again because... because some part of me knew that, and was afraid of what it'd mean.

Bryce explained everything again, and Hunt couldn't keep himself from tugging her closer. When she finished, Ruhn echoed Hunt's words. "We got lucky tonight. You got lucky tonight." Bryce winked at Hunt. "And I plan to get lucky again." "Gross," Ruhn said as Declan snickered.

I don't see how I can move on from loving her when she gave up everything for me. For the cause.' He shook his head. 'Every time I hook up, I remember it.

I'd think cuddling in front of the TV allowed me to at least be able to voice my opinions without getting my head bitten off.

Hunt leaned forward putting his cool brow against hers. 'I've known who you were this whole time. I never forgot you.

Want to come play Scary Asshole with me?' Despite everything, despite the Asteri's watching and all that had occurred, Bryce smiled. 'I have just the outfit.

I don't need a male telling me when to eat.' 'How about a friend telling you that you had an understandably rough night, and you get mean as shit when you're hungry?

Hyrieus,” Aidas answered. “He was a good male, Hunt Athalar. As you are.

She’d seen more than her fair share of cut, beautiful male bodies, but Hunt Athalar’s blew them all away.

This sunball-watching person doesn't fit with my mental image of the Shadow of Death.' 'Sorry to disappoint.' Hunt's turn to lift a brow. 'What do you think I do with my spare time?' 'I don't know. I assumed you cursed at the stars and brooded and plotted revenge on all your enemies.

I'm sorry I dumped my baggage in your lap.' A corner of his mouth turned up. 'You can dump your baggage in my lap anytime, Quinlan.' She snorted, shaking her head. 'You made it sound gross.' 'You said it first.

Ruhn said to her, “I asked you to come. Not him.” Bryce linked her arm through Athalar’s, the portrait they painted laughable: Bryce in her fancy work dress and heels, the angel in his black battle-suit. “We’re joined at the hip now, unfortunately for you. Best, best friends.” “The best,” Hunt echoed, his grin unfading.

Stop cursing so much. You're upsetting Syrinx.' He leaned close enough to note gold flecks in her amber eyes. 'You have the dirtiest mouth I've ever heard, sweetheart. And from the way you act, I think you might be the alphahole here.

Hunt.' The entire world went quiet. 'I was waiting for you.' 'Bryce, sweetheart, just get back to your apartment and give me an hour and-' 'No,' she whispered, closing her eyes. She put her hand on her chest. Over her heart. 'I was waiting for you- in here.' Hunt couldn't stop his own tears then. 'I was waiting for you, too.

Boyfriend sounds weird for you. It's so... young. But what else is there?' If he had a star on his chest, Hunt knew it'd be glowing as he asked. 'Partner?' 'Not sexy enough.' 'Lover?' 'Does that come with a ruff and a lute?' He swept a wing over her bare thigh. 'Anyone ever tell you that you're a pain in the ass?' 'Just ye olde lover.

I've never stopped wanting it- wanting you. I thought it was obvious.

I can't do this without you, Hunt.' He said softly, 'I know. I'm just... Fuck, Quinlan. The thought of anything happening to you scares the shit out of me.

We'll get through the mourning process together, Quinlan. Have a proper send-off for the coffee table. Holstrom should give the eulogy, since he broke it.

I love you. You're crazy and shady as all Hel, but I love you.

Look at you,' he breathed. 'Bryce.' 'Look at us,' she whispered, and lifted up to kiss him.

Don't worry about that shit. We focus on the now, then deal with everything else afterward.

Approachable asshole, reporting for duty.

Ruhn demanded, “Did you figure out what kind of demon did it?” “Something that eats little princes for breakfast,” Hunt crooned. Ruhn bared his teeth. “Blow me, Athalar.

I love you. I wish I'd said it more. But I love you, Quinlan, and...' His throat closed up, his eyes stinging. His lips brushed her brow. 'Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again. I promise.

There are thirty-six photos on your four-year-old phone, and all of them are of dismembered bodies,' she said. Someone gasped across the store. Hunt gritted his teeth. 'Say it a little louder, Quinlan.' She frowned. 'You never take any others?' 'Of what?' 'Oh, I don't know- of life? A pretty flower or good meal or something?' 'What's the point?' She blinked, then shook her head. 'Weirdo.' And before he could stop her, she'd angled his phone in front of her, beamed from ear to ear, and snapped a photo of herself before she handed it back to him. 'There. One non-corpse photo.

The Hawk smiled up at Baxian. “How about we start with your tongue today, traitor?” To Baxian’s credit, he stuck out his tongue toward the Hawk in invitation. Hunt smirked. Yeah—they were all in this together. To the bitter end. The Hawk cut his stare toward Hunt. “You’ll be next, Athalar.” “Come and get it,” Hunt gasped. Ruhn extended his tongue as well.

The radio crackled again, and a stranger’s voice filled it. “Daybright, we’re a go at Meridan.” Another voice: “We’re a go at Alcene.” Another: “Ready at Ravilis.” On and on. Eleven locations total. Then a soft female voice said, “This is Irithys. Set to ignite at the Eternal City.” “What the fuck is happening, Lidia?” Hunt breathed. They raced through the narrow city streets, the van with Flynn falling into line behind them. Hunt grunted, “Those are all places on the Spine.” Athalar was right: Every single city mentioned was a major depot along the vital railway that funneled imperial weapons to the front. Lidia didn’t take her eyes off the road as she picked up the radio. “This is Daybright. Blast it to Hel, Irithys.

You know what Bryce would do to me if you wound up dead? I'd never get to fondle her underwear again.' Ithan gaped at him. Then burst out laughing. It was a rich sound, a little hoarse- like he hadn't done it in a while. 'I'm surprised Athalar lets you live.' 'You know what Bryce would do to Hunt if I wound up dead?' Tharion grinned. 'My sweet Legs has my back.

Hunt hissed to Bryce through his gritted teeth, thunder cracking above him, 'I heard what you said.' Pump, pump, pump went his powerful arms. 'What you waited to admit until I was almost dead, you fucking coward.' His lightning surged into her, sending her body arcing off the ground as he tried to jump-start her heard. He snarled in her ear. 'Now come say it to my face.

You said you love me.' 'And?' She cocked an eyebrow. Hunt's mouth twitched upward. 'It was said under duress.' She bit her lip. He wanted to plant his teeth there. 'Are you asking whether I meant it, or do you think you're that good with your mouth that I went out of my mind?' He flicked her nose. 'Smart-ass.' She flopped back onto the mattress. 'They're both true.

Micah had offered Hunt the bargain from his first day in Crescent City four years ago: a kill for every life he’d taken that bloody day on Mount Hermon. Every angel he’d slaughtered during that doomed battle, he was to pay back. In the form of more death. A death for a death, Micah had said. When you’ve fulfilled the debt, Athalar, we’ll discuss removing that tattoo on your brow.

It brings me no joy to see you with the halo and slave brand again, Athalar.” “Halo,” Hunt asked as solidly as he could, “or black crown?” Rigelus blinked—the only sign of his surprise—but the term clearly landed with the Bright Hand. “Been talking to shadows, have you?” Rigelus hissed. “Umbra Mortis and all that,” Hunt said. “Makes sense for the Shadow of Death.” Baxian chuckled.

Hunt squinted as he lowered his wing and met the shithead’s eyes. “Fuck you.” Like Hel would these assholes make him beg and grovel—either for his own life or Ruhn’s. Lidia said mildly, “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Athalar.” Hunt looked, but not fast enough. The Hawk certainly didn’t look fast enough. And Hunt knew he’d treasure this moment forever: the moment when Lidia Cervos pulled out her gun and fired it right between the Hawk’s eyes.

The Oracle blinked, a slow bob of those thick lashes. “You remind me of that which was lost long ago,” she said quietly. “I had not realized it might ever appear again.” Before Hunt dared ask what that meant, her lion’s tail—a larger version of Syrinx’s—swayed over the floor. The doors behind him opened on a phantom wind, his dismissal clear. But the Oracle said before stalking into the vapors, “Do yourself a favor, Orion Athalar: keep well away from Bryce Quinlan.

He knows we're a team.' 'A team,' Hunt said slowly. As if, out of everything she'd laid out, that was what he chose to dwell on. 'You know what I mean,' Bryce said. 'I'm not sure I do.' Had his voice dropped lower? 'We're roomies,' she said, her own voice getting breathy. 'Roomies.' 'Occasional Beer Pong Champions?' Hunt snatched the hat off her head and plunked it back on his own, backward as usual. 'Yes, the Autumn King truly fears our unholy beer pong alliance.

We’re not going to make it,” Baxian called as Lidia zoomed toward the guard station. “Lidia,” Athalar warned. “Get down!” Lidia barked, and Ruhn shut his eyes, sinking low as the grate lowered at an alarming rate. Metal screamed and exploded right above them, the car rocking, shuddering— Yet Lidia kept driving. She raced onto the open road beyond the city as the grate slammed shut behind them. “Cutting it a little close, don’t you think?” Hunt shouted to Lidia, and Ruhn opened his eyes to find that the gunner had been ripped clean off. Baxian was clinging for dear life to the back of the jeep, a manic grin on his face.

Where is Bryce?” hissed the Prince of the Chasm. “She went to find you.” Hunt’s voice broke. Beside him, Ruhn groaned, stirring. “She went to fucking find you, Aidas.” The Princes of Hel looked at each other, some wordless conversation passing between them. Hunt pushed, “You two told her to find you. Fed us all that bullshit about armies and wanting to help and getting her ready—” “Is it possible,” Aidas said to his brother, ignoring Hunt entirely, “after everything …?” “Don’t fall into romanticism,” Apollion cautioned. “The star might have guided her,” Aidas countered. “Please,” Hunt cut in, not caring if he was begging. “Tell me where she is.” Baxian grunted, rising to consciousness. Aidas said quietly, “I have a suspicion, but I can’t tell you, Athalar, lest Rigelus wring it from you. Though he has likely already arrived at the same conclusion.” “Fuck you,” Hunt spat. But Apollion said to his brother, “We must leave.” “Then what was the point of all this watching me from the shadows?” Hunt demanded. “To ensure that we can continue to rely on you when the time comes.” “To do what?” Hunt ground out. “What you were born to do—to accomplish the task for which your father brought you into existence,” Apollion said before fading into nothing, leaving Aidas standing alone before the prisoners. Shock reared up in Hunt, dampened by the weight of an old, unbidden hurt. “I have no father.” Aidas’s expression was sad as he stepped out of the shadows. “You spent too long asking the wrong questions.” “What the fuck does that mean?” Aidas shook his head. “The black crown once again circling your brow is not a new torment from the Asteri. It has existed for millennia.” “Tell me the fucking truth for once—” “Stay alive, Athalar.” The Prince of the Chasm followed his brother, vanishing into darkness and embers.

Bryce tomó a Hunt de la mano. La presionó contra su pecho. —Súbeme de nivel, Athalar.

—¿Sabes cómo se ve Hunt Athalar? —Considerando que está viviendo en la azotea enfrente de mi departamento, diría que sí. Lehabah presionó el botón de pausa en su programa y recargó la cabeza contra el respaldo de su silloncito. —Es hermoso. —Sí, pregúntale a él. Bryce cerró el correo que había estado leyendo, uno de unos cien que había intercambiado con Tertian, y el primero en el que él se le había un poco. —Hunt es suficientemente apuesto como para salir en este programa —dijo Lehabah y señaló con uno de los dedos de su pie hacia la tableta frente a ella. —Por desgracia, no creo que las diferencias de tamaño entre tú y Athalar permitieran que eso funcionara en la cama. Tú apenas tienes el tamaño para abrazarle el pene. Lehabah soltó una nubecilla de humo por la vergüenza. La duendecilla ondeó la mano para despejarla. —¡BB!

—Nos peleamos en una fiesta. Danaan todavía está resentido. La sonrisa de Bryce era la definición de una sonrisa de satisfacción. —¿Por qué pelearon? Ruhn dijo con brusquedad: —Porque él es un pendejo arrogante. —Igual—dijo Hunt y su boca se curvó para formar una media sonrisa. Bryce miró a Lehabah. —Los chicos y su competitividad. Lehabah emitió un sonidito muy propio. —Ni de cerca tan avanzados como nosotras. Ruhn puso los ojos en blanco y se sorprendió de ver que Athalar hacía lo mismo.

—Puedo buscarla por mi cuenta. Tharion sonrió incrédulo. —No mientras estés atrapado aquí abajo. Los ojos de Ithan se abrieron como platos. —¿En serio? ¿Me apresarías? —Por tu propia seguridad, sí. ¿Sabes qué me haría Bryce si tú aparecieras muerto? Nunca volvería a tocar su ropa interior. Ithan se quedó viéndolo con la boca abierta. Luego soltó una carcajada. Era un sonido profundo y algo ronco, como si no lo hubiera producido en mucho tiempo. —Me sorprende que Athalar te permita seguir vivo. —¿Sabes qué le haría Bryce a Hunt si yo apareciera muerto? —Tharion sonrió—. Mi dulce Piernas me apoya. —¿Por qué la llamas así? —preguntó Ithan con cautela. Tharion volvió a encogerse de hombros. —¿En verdad quieres que te responda eso? —No. Tharion sonrió.

But Hunt just said, “I know you’ll keep going forward, Quinlan—even if it sucks.” “What makes you so sure of it?” His feet were silent as he crossed the kitchen. She tipped back her head to hold his stare. “Because you pretend to be irreverent and lazy, but deep down, you don’t give up. Because you know that if you do, then they win. All the asp-holes, as you called them, win. So living, and living well—it’s the greatest fuck you that you can ever give them.” “That’s why you’re still fighting.” He ran a hand over the tattoo on his brow. “Yes.” She let out a hmm, stirring the mixture in the pan again. “Well then, Athalar. I guess it’ll be you and me in the trenches for a while longer.” He smiled at her, more openly than he’d dared do with anyone in a long while. “You know,” he said, “I think I like the sound of that.

That’s the demon I found attacking the angel in the alley on that night.” Hunt gave her a sharp look. “The one that attacked you, too?” Bryce gave a small, affirmative nod. “What is it?” “It dwells in the darkest depths of the Pit,” Ruhn answered. “So lightless that the Star-Eater named it the kristallos, for its clear blood and teeth.” Athalar said, “I’ve never heard of it.” Bryce contemplated the drawing. “It … There was never a mention of a fucking demon in the research I did on the Horn.” She met his gaze. “No one put this together two years ago?” “I think it’s taken two years to put it together,” Ruhn said carefully. “This volume was deep in the Fae Archives, with the stuff that’s not allowed to be scanned. None of your research would have ever pulled it up. The entire damn thing was in the Old Language of the Fae.” And had taken him most of the night to translate.

Hunt said, “The kristallos’s presence in Lunathion suggests the Horn is still inside the city walls.” Bryce pinned Ruhn with a look. “Why does the Autumn King suddenly want it?” Ruhn chose his words carefully. “Call it pride. He wants it returned to the Fae. And wants me to find it quietly.” Athalar asked him, “But why ask you to look for the Horn?” The shadows veiling them rippled. “Because Prince Pelias’s Starborn power was woven into the Horn itself. And it’s in my blood. My father thinks I might have some sort of preternatural gift to find it.” He admitted, “When I was browsing the Archives last night, this book … jumped out at me.” “Literally?” Bryce asked, brows high. Ruhn said, “It just felt like it … shimmered. I don’t fucking know. All I know is I was down there for hours, and then I sensed the book, and when I saw that illustration of the Horn … There it was. The crap I translated confirmed it.” “So the kristallos can track the Horn,” Bryce said, eyes glittering. “But so can you.

There's nothing wrong with being a party girl. I don't get why the world thinks there is.' But she considered her words. 'It's easier for me- when people assume the worst about what I am. It lets me see who they really are.' 'So you're saying you think I'm really an asshole?' A Corner of his mouth curled up. But her eyes were dead serious. 'I've met and dealt with a lot of assholes, Hunt. You're not one of them.

Isn't it exhausting to be an alphahole all the time? Do you guys have a handbook for it? Maybe secret support groups?

The answer,' Hunt went on, 'is with me. Anywhere you or I go, we go together from now on. Got it?

I can handle myself-' 'I can't fucking handle myself, Quinlan. Not if you might be in danger.

...I think I loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her in her palace, even though she was so high above me that she might as well have been the moon. But she saw me, too. And somehow, she picked me. Out of all of them, she picked me.' He shook his head, the words creaking from him as they crept from that box he'd locked them in all this while. 'I would have done anything for her. I did anything for her. Anything she asked. And when it all went to Hel, when they told me it was over, I refused to believe it. How could she be gone? It was like saying the sun was gone. It just... there was nothing left if she wasn't there.

No issue with the Umbra Mortis being your emotional twin?' But her face grew serious again. 'That's what they call you, but that's not who you are.' 'And who am I?' 'A pain in my ass.' Her smile was brighter than the setting sun on the river. He laughed, but she added. 'You're my friend. Who watches trashy TV with me and puts up with my shit. You're the person I don't need to explain myself to- not when it matters. You see everything I am, and you don't run away from it.

You look how I feel,' she whispered, her throat tight. 'Every day.

At the risk of sounding like an alphahole cliche,' he said without looking at her as he set the skillet on the stove, 'I like seeing you in my shirt.

I didn't know clothing sales got you so hot and bothered, Quinlan.' She nearly whimpered. Forced herself to keep still. 'It's the little things in life, Athalar.

Enjoy talking to your parents, Bryce. They're alive. Don't miss out on a moment of it. Not for this.' She still looked like she'd object, insist they go hunt down the synth, so he said, 'I wish I had that luxury.

What is it you want, exactly?' Hunt asked, surveying a stall full of ancient knives. 'A boyfriend or mate or husband who will just sit there, with no opinions, and agree to everything you say, and never dare to ask you for anything?' 'Of course not.' 'Just because I'm male and have an opinion doesn't make me into some psychotic, domineering prick.

I have fun with you, Quinlan. Despite how terrible this case is, despite all of it, I haven't had fun like this in a while.' In ever. He could have sworn she blushed. 'Hang with me, Athalar,' she said, trying to wipe the grime off her legs and hands from kneeling at the grate entrance, 'and you might get rid of that sick up your ass after all.

I wasn't- you're a pain in the ass, you know that?' 'I'd rather be a pain in the ass,' she said slyly over her bare shoulder, 'than a snooping pervert.

I'm glad you're not dead.' Hunt chuckled, letting himself bury his face against her neck. 'So am I.

I acted like an asshole. Let me cook something for you to make up for it.' Based on how much chilli powder you just dumped into that pan, I'm not sure I want to accept this particular apology.

Assuming you live through taking on the Archangels and Asteri, what then?' 'I don't know.' He gave her a half smile. 'Maybe you and I can figure it out, Quinlan. We'll have centuries to do it.

To the Autumn King’s question of how, against every statistic blaring on Declan’s computer, they were even witnessing Hunt Athalar fight like Hel to keep Bryce Quinlan’s heart beating. Through love, all is possible.

This drive contains footage of you at a three-day orgy?' Hunt demanded. 'Let me know if it gets you hot and bothered, Athalar.' The Viper Queen took another hit of the cigarette. Her green eyes drifted toward his lap. 'I hear you're one Hel of a ride when you pause the brooding long enough.

Bryce murmured, “And no one is worried about giving this stuff over to trigger-happy Pippa?” “No,” Cormac replied gravely. “Not one of them.” “But they’re cool with us examining the suit?” Bryce asked. “I told them Athalar would have some insight into how they’re constructed.” Hunt clicked his tongue. “No pressure, huh?” He suppressed the memory of Sandriel’s face, her cruel amusement as she watched what he’d done to the suits on her orders.

Did you figure out what kind of demon did it?' 'Something that eats little princes for breakfast,' Hunt crooned.

Just because you're some big, tough asshole doesn't mean you get the right to decide when I should eat- or when I'm not taking care of my body. I'm the one who lives in it, I know when I fucking wanting to eat. So keep your possessive and aggressive bullshit to yourself.

When males are kneeling between my legs, Athalar,' she said, 'they're not usually grimacing.

Since I'm perfectly happy with the size of my assets, I'd wish for you to stop being such a pain in my ass.

Your cousin is dreamy,' Lehabah sighed from her couch. 'I thought Athalar was your own true love,' Bryce said. 'Can't they both be?' 'Considering how terrible they are at sharing, I don't think it'll end well for any of you.

Don't give me orders, Athalar. Four minutes, sweetheart. I told you: don't call me sweetheart. Three minutes.

There are thirty-six photos on your four-year-old phone, and all of them are of dismembered bodies,' ...

Maybe some guy that checks out your ass before he says hello isn't someone worth knowing.

By the time Ramuel decided to let me serve as his assassin, it had been nine years since I'd seen sunlight. Since I'd heard the wind or smelled the rain. Since I'd seen grass, or a river, or a mountain. Since I'd flown.

Bryce clamped her fingers around his. 'You might see yourself that way, but I see you, too, Athalar. I see your kindness and your... whatever.' She squeezed his hand for emphasis. 'I see all the shit you conveniently forget. Briggs is a bad person. He might have once gotten into the human rebellion for the right reasons, but he is a bad person. You aren't. You will never be. End of story.' 'This bargain I've got with Micah suggests otherwise-' 'You're not like him.

I know you'll keep going forward, Quinlan- even if it sucks.' 'What makes you so sure of it?' His feet were silent as he crossed the kitchen. She tipped back her head to hold his stare. 'Because you pretend to be irreverent and lazy, but deep down, you don't give up. Because you know that if you do, then they win. All the asp-holes, as you called them, win. So living, and living well- it's the greatest fuck you that you can ever give them.' 'That's why you're still fighting.' He ran a hand ver the tattoo on his brow. 'Yes.' She let out a hmm, stirring the mixture in the pain again. 'Well then, Athalar. I guess it'll be you and me in the trenches for a while longer.' He smiled at her, more openly than he'd dared do with anyone in a long while. 'You know,' he said, 'I think I like the sound of that.

You're my friend.' The words hung between them. His head dipped again, as if he could hide the expression on his face as he amended, 'If you would like me to be.' For a moment, she stared at him. The offer thrown out there. The quiet vulnerability. It erased any annoyance still in her veins. 'Didn't you know, Athalar?' The tentative hope in his face nearly destroyed her. 'We've been friends from the moment you thought Jelly Jubilee was a dildo.

I might have been born before computers, Quinlan, but I do know how to use them.