Metal Slinger Quotes

I looked for you. In every market and podunk town, in every corner of every land, I searched each face for yours.

Everyone’s always muttering about the good gods, but the bad ones are way more interesting.

Until next time, Brynn.

If you asked me for my life, I’m pretty sure I’d hand it over on a gold platter.

Beautiful and deadly, I mourn him already, and he’s right in front of me.

It is not your job to make anyone comfortable.

I can feel it in every stitch of my being that I am meant to be loved, and loved by him.

I kiss him, knowing nothing lasts forever.

He gives me a look that clearly says he doesn’t believe me, but a smile twitches at the corner of his mouth. “You’re kind of beautiful when you lie.

Acker smiles, but it’s straight filth when he says, “Shame. I was kind of looking forward to tying you up.

Dark hair, dark eyes, a gold ring in one nostril. Lips I somehow know often say crude things—or maybe it’s his entire demeanor that tells me that, but there’s something inherently vulgar in his beauty.

Acker doesn’t let go of me. Not in the center of the storm and not when we breach the veil of the storm’s eye. Not when the boat feels like it’s going to be ripped apart at any moment and we’re going to go overboard. He never lessens his hold, not even when his arms shake. He never lets go.

The only way through it is through.

I will sleep wherever you want me to. Whether it’s on the floor or in the dirt or in your bed, I’ll be there if you want me.

Every gain of wealth and power comes at a cost. It chips away at your soul a little each time.

And you, metal slinger, have killed a hundred times for what your head is worth. Why should you get to live with so much blood on your hands?

Know this, Jovie: I have zero doubts when it comes to you. You heard Olivia—I’ve always known you were it for me. I may have thought I lost you for a while, but I knew no one would ever take your place.” Bracing his elbows on his knees, he brings my hands to his lips, eyes closing as he holds them there. “I’m sorry I made you doubt me,

I am a starving man, Jovie. Don’t appear without clothes again.” “Or what?” I say, not recognizing the timbre of my voice. Lips tracing the outer shell of my ear, he tilts his pelvis toward mine, revealing the truth of his arousal. “Or I’ll make you finally confront the desire you’ve been so determined to pretend doesn’t exist between us.

Mark my words, if I ever see him again, I’ll kill him for what he’s done to you.

If you think I’m going anywhere without you, you’re mistaken.

You can never get loving people wrong, Jo. There’s no shame in accepting your feelings for Kai, just like there’s none to be had for accepting them for Acker.

You’ve been feeding me with the same dagger you put through a man’s eyeball?

He accepts it but doesn’t let go, using it as a rope to pull me closer. “I am proud to call you my match.” Then he kisses me, in front of everyone, rules and decorum be damned.

If you’re still virginized by then, I’ll do you a solid and suck you off myself, mate.

Don’t worry, Jovie. I’m going to court you so well you’ll be begging to climb into bed with me.

sick of men who think they can control the world and everyone within it.

Look who it is,” he croons, though it takes effort to get past the gravel in his voice. “The little thief herself.

A smile grows on his lips before he caps the waterskin and looks at me. “Did you want me to kneel?

No body, dead or alive. And they’ll begin looking.

I didn’t think you’d care,” he says, running a curved finger along my jaw. “But jealousy looks good on you.

Human emotions are fickle, Jo. Yours, mine, Acker’s. They’re nothing but a wave in the ocean. What really matters is what you decide to do with them.

I’m going to swim with the stars,

I was just staring at your hands,

Then I’m standing in front of him, meeting the gray eyes so like my own. Open and inviting and warm. Familiar. Like home.

The ocean has a way of doing that to you, sucking the life from your bones a little more every second.

She has beautiful eyes,” he says softly, like he’s lost to memory. “They’re brown and green and amber, like every color of every season. I’ve looked everywhere for eyes like hers, and nothing has ever been able to compare.

His smile fades into something sadder. “She has beautiful eyes,” he says softly, like he’s lost to memory. “They’re brown and green and amber, like every color of every season. I’ve looked everywhere for eyes like hers, and nothing has ever been able to compare.

Know this, Jovie: I have zero doubts when it comes to you. You heard Olivia—I’ve always known you were it for me. I may have thought I lost you for a while, but I knew no one would ever take your place.” Bracing his elbows on his knees, he brings my hands to his lips, eyes closing as he holds them there. “I’m sorry I made you doubt me,” he says, eyes staring up at me.

I retrieve Kai’s sword from where I abandoned it on the dock. The metal is scorching hot. I hold it out to him in the way he offered it to me, by the blade, apologetic. He accepts it but doesn’t let go, using it as a rope to pull me closer. “I am proud to call you my match.” Then he kisses me, in front of everyone, rules and decorum be damned. Whatever punishment awaits, we’ll suffer it together. It’ll be worth it.

Dark hair, dark eyes, a gold ring in one nostril.

I was able to determine as much during the time I spent with him as an eyun.

His stare lingers on Kai. “Can you explain why this cell was covered in her scent when I arrived here?” Shock registers through my system. He could smell—surely not.

Until next time, Brynn.” The way he says my name, the last letter lingering on the tip of his tongue, sends a spike of fear through me. He says it like he’s not finished with me.

I force myself to meet his eyes, but it kind of feels like staring at the sun.

I'm going to swim with the stars.

I’m

I didn’t stop loving Kai when I decided to leave Alaha,” I tell her, hating the shame coating my tongue. “Even though I knew it was the right decision—the best decision—it still hurt.” “That’s normal, having conflicting emotions about someone. It can take a long time to sort through the heartache, to separate what once was from what is meant to be.

Opening my eyes, I start with a drag of my pencil. Truth be told, I don’t know if I loved Kai. I mean, I know I loved him—do love him—but I didn’t love him. I can see how I got it confused. He was my best friend and closest person on an island of people who didn’t want much to do with me. Of course I would cling to the one who claimed to love me, the first one to kiss me, to ask how my day was, to want me. But it’s nothing in comparison to what I feel with Acker. It was easier than it should have been to leave Alaha, to leave Kai behind. I know if there comes a point where I’m forced to leave Acker, it has the potential to ruin me.

He opens his mouth again, but I don’t hear whatever it is he says because I turn away, hurrying through the crowd in my bid to escape, to outrun the weight of all the eyes on me.

I know now, and it’s like an echo in my head as we kiss. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Hey,” Kai says, drawing my chin up with a finger. “Just you and me.

Brynn, look at me,” Kai demands. So I do, eyes snapping open. “I’ll always protect you.

Why would he ever choose me? “The future leader of Alaha doesn’t choose an urchin as a wife.” He grits his teeth but doesn’t break stride. “You know how much I hate when you call yourself that.” “That’s what I am, Kai.” “No, it’s not.” His hold on me tightens, but he doesn’t push. I inspect him, looking for a hint of what Kai has up his sleeve, but I can’t find anything other than anticipation staring back at me. “You are smart and hardworking and so godsdamn beautiful,” he says, punctuating each word to ensure I’m convinced of their authenticity. “Your name has been whispered by my own men behind my back, because they would never dare to speak their interest in courting you to my face.

Nothing is feared more than the giant squids rumored to be found in the most remote parts of the oceans. They have no known home, no known origin. The only evidence of their existence are the abandoned boats they leave behind, left wandering aimless without a soul on board. The bodies of the crews are theorized to have been pulled underneath the water never to be seen again.

Acker looks up from the blade. “I’m starting to think the Alaha are all inbred. It’s the only explanation for your level of stupidity.

They possibly mean everything. I can feel it in every stitch of my being that I am meant to be loved, and loved by him.

That was the day I told my mother I was going to marry you when it came time to pick a match.” He loosens his grip, letting me spin in his arms.

Then, as if he tries to stop himself but can’t, he kisses me one last time. It leaves me breathless and wanting and nearly bursting at the seams with adoration for the man before me.

When it comes to men, Jo, it’s best to just assume the worst.

Their apprehension toward you isn’t your doing and it’s not your problem. Got it?

A young Grenadine stares back at me.

It’s presumptuous of him to assume I trust him now, but he’s got a fair point. I got in this boat with him despite watching him take down four grown men by himself. I’m either stupid or desperate. Maybe a little of both.

We’ll wait for the Matching Ceremony, then we’ll sneak away in one of the fishing boats. It’s the only time it won’t be guarded.” Acker smiles, but it’s straight filth when he says, “Shame. I was kind of looking forward to tying you up.

He blinks and wipes a hand down his face. “You have the only other knife. What do you think I’ve been using?” If I was smarter, maybe I would heed the simmering calm in his voice, but I can’t stop the revulsion from spilling out of my mouth. “I didn’t think anyone in their right mind would ever use a literal murder weapon as cutlery.

Beau asks where we are, which Hallis must ignore because silence follows until we hear Beau tell Hallis to eat shit when he asks for a share of her lunch.

My heart skips a beat when he reaches for my hand, placing the blade in my palm. “Scream if you need me.

Why did you follow us?” Messer quirks a smile. “I couldn’t let B have all the fun without me.

I am so sorry,” he says with an undercurrent of sincerity that I recognize. “For what it’s worth, I have my own experiences with saigon. I woke up naked and on the dinner table at my grandmother’s house with her homemade jam smeared in…unsavory places.

Blue dives in from above, his form changing mid-flight. Messer lands on his feet. Acker and I cuss at the same time. Motherfucker. You’ve got be fucking kidding me.

If you asked me for my life, I’m pretty sure I’d hand it over on a golden platter.

Dang rabbits.

and I realize I trust this man unequivocally. I’m pretty sure I’d follow him anywhere, including to my own death.

You were my best friend and you betrayed me.

He shakes the water from his hair, spraying droplets in every direction, and I throw any and every cuss word I can think of in his direction. He laughs, eyes sparkling with delight in being on the receiving end of my temper. It only serves to make me angrier.

You can call it because it belongs to you.

I asked my parents for permission to choose you at the Matching Ceremony.

And I had quit looking. I had convinced myself you were dead as the years went by, and I wore the blade in honor of your memory, having long since lost its original purpose. That’s why I couldn’t believe it was you when the blade signaled your presence. Even when I saw you with my own eyes, like a ghost in broad daylight, I refused to believe it. Because…” He trails off, looking up at me. “Because it meant I gave up on you.

I’ll hogtie you if I have to.

You don’t know it all, metal slinger. You will do what I say, and threatening me with death will do you no good,” she tacks on.

And the last time a light wielder walked the earth, she ruled the earth and the four elements within it.

I’m going to swim with the stars,” he says,

You’re going to change everything, girl.

My cheek is against the inside of his arm, and I marvel at the sight of life within his chest, every breath visual evidence of our victory. We made it.

Once we’re at the palace,” he says, eyes darting between mine as he stares up at me, chin tilted at the perfect angle for me to watch the bob of his throat when he swallows. “I will sleep wherever you want me to. Whether it’s on the floor or in the dirt or in your bed, I’ll be there if you want me.

That is until last night, when I saw the connection between the two of you. You two are fated.

You have nice hands.

A fool, yes, but possibly the bravest man I’ve ever met.

Jovinnia, Princess of Maile, is my match. With this oath, I swear to protect her until my dying breath.

For the first time since I was seven, I cry and cry and cry.

Almost like we’re being carried.

He never lets go.

have no desire to be anyone’s sacrifice,” I declare, correcting him.

I’m never going to tell you something just to benefit myself.

Motherfucker. You’ve got be fucking kidding me.

Chapter 11

He accepts it but doesn’t let go, using it as a rope to pull me closer. “I am proud to call you my match.” Then he kisses me, in front of everyone, rules and decorum be damned. Whatever punishment awaits, we’ll suffer it together. It’ll be worth it.

He breathes out through his nostrils and does a quick roll of his eyes. “Get up,” he orders them. “You’re making her uncomfortable.

his beak open to the point of distorting the

I stink,” I warn. “I know. I smell you from here.

I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced true peace in my life until right now. Then, like two magnets meeting, the tether below my breasts snaps into place, an unbreakable bond stretching between us. Acker braces his weight to look at me, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a sheen of glassiness in his eyes. I kiss him, knowing nothing lasts forever.