Shadow And Bone Trilogy Quotes

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.

Na razrusha'ya. I am not ruined. E'ya razrushost. I am ruination.

The less you say, the more weight your words will carry.

What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.

Of course not," said Sturmhond. "Anything worth doing always starts as a bad idea.

Watch yourself, Nikolai,” Mal said softly. “Princes bleed just like other men.” Nikolai plucked an invisible piece of dust from his sleeve. “Yes,” he said. “They just do it in better clothes.

I took a breath. “Your highness—” “Nikolai,” he corrected. “But I’ve also been known to answer to ‘sweetheart’ or ‘handsome.

I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?

I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but mine.

Beauty was your armor. Fragile stuff, all show. But what's inside you? That's steel. It's brave and unbreakable. And it doesn't need fixing.

They had an ordinary life, full of ordinary things—if love can ever be called that.

I hope you weren’t looking to me to be the voice of reason. I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret.

In this moment he was just a boy -brilliant, blessed with too much power, burdened by eternity.

I want to kiss you,” Nikolai said. “But I won’t. Not until you’re thinking of me instead of trying to forget him.

I'm not like you, Mal. I never really fit in the way you did. I never really belonged anywhere." "You belonged with me.

Aleksander," I whispered. A boy's name, given up. Almost forgotten.

Weakness is a guise. Wear it when they need to know you're human, but never when you feel it.

I'm the Sun Summoner. It gets dark when I say it does.

You know the problem with heroes and saints, Nikolai?” I asked as I closed the book’s cover and headed for the door. “They always end up dead.

Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay.

Yuyeh sesh. Despise your heart. Ni weh sesh. I have no heart.

I have loved you all my life, Mal,” I whispered through my tears. “There is no end to our story.

Oh, and the easiest way to make someone furious is to tell her to calm down.

Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.

Thanks for the rescue." "Everyone needs a hobby." "I thought yours was preening." "Two hobbies.

Sturmhond had a way of talking that made me want to shoot someone. Preferably him.

Do you answer a question directly?" "Hard to say. Ah, there, I've done it again

I'm perfectly capable of being stupid on my own.

I like to have powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.

We are alike,” he said, “as no one else is, as no one else will ever be.” The truth of it rang through me. Like calls to like.

Why won’t you leave me alone?” I whispered one night as he hovered behind me while I tried to work at my desk. Long minutes passed. I didn’t think he would answer. I even had time to hope he might have gone, until I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Then I’d be alone, too," he said, and he stayed the whole night through, till the lamps burned down to nothing.

He leaned against the window, and the gilded frame came into sharp focus. “Do you think it would be any different with your tracker beside you? With that Lantsov pup?” “Yes,” I said simply. “Because you would be the strong one?” “Because they’re better men than you.” “You might make me a better man.” “And you might make me a monster.

He watches her the way Harshaw watches fire. Like he’ll never have enough of her. Like he’s trying to capture what he can before she’s gone.

Anything worth doing always starts as a bad idea.

You two have a bad habit of acting like fools and calling it heroic.

I can’t decide if you’re a fearmonger or a coward.” “And I can’t decide if you’re an idiot or an idiot.

You live in a single moment. I live in a thousand.

You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan to dress up as a volcra and jump out of a cake." "Well, now you've ruined the surprise.

I thought you wanted to go." "I wanted you to ask me to stay.

It’s true,” I said softly. “You are stronger, wiser, infinite in experience.” I leaned forward and whispered, my lips brushing the shell of his ear. “But I am an apt pupil.

He tapped the sun over his heart. "I came here for you. You're my flag. You're my nation.

Just you and me." "Really?" "It's always just you and me, Alina.

You heard Prince Perfect," Mal said, and joined us at the table. Nikolai grinned. "I've had a lot of nicknames, but that one is easily the most accurate.

Hope was tricky like water. Somehow it always found a way in.

So I'm the Darkling's prisoner?" "You're under his protection." "What's the difference?" "Pray you never find out.

He’d wanted me to believe in his ruthlessness. Then I remembered his words from so long ago: Make me your villain.

You are all I’ve ever wanted,” he said. “You are the whole of my heart.

Did you tell him what I showed you in the dark?

I am not ruined. I am ruination.

The ox feels the yoke, but does the bird feel the weight of its wings?

Thanks for being my best friend and making my life bearable. Oh, and sorry I fell in love with you for a while there.

Suffering is cheap as clay and twice as common. What matters is what each man makes of it.

Scars made good reminders.

Maybe love was superstition, a prayer we said to keep the truth of loneliness at bay. I tilted my head back. The stars looked like they were close together, when really they were millions of miles apart. In the end, maybe love just meant longing for something impossibly bright and forever out of reach.

My mother was an oyster,” he said with a wink. “And I’m the pearl.

It’s a vow that if I can’t be anything else to you, at least I can be a weapon in your hand.

You'll still make a great king." "Of course I will," he scoffed. "I'm melancholy, not daft.

You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling will hunt you for the rest of your days.” “Then you and I will have something in common, won’t we? Besides, I like to have powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.” Mal crossed his arms and considered the privateer. “I can’t decide if you’re crazy or stupid.” “I have so many good qualities,” Sturmhond said. “It can be hard to choose.

You were meant for more than me, and I'll die fighting to give it to you. But please don't ask me to pretend it's easy.

Will you say it? "Aleksander" His grin faded and his grey eyes seemed to flicker. "Again." "Aleksander

And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust myself. I’ve never seen anyone work a crowd the way he does. I’m pretty sure the rocks and trees are getting ready to swear fealty to him.

I saw the prince when I was in Os Alta,” said Ekaterina. “He’s not bad looking.” “Not bad looking?” said another voice. “He’s damnably handsome.” Luchenko scowled. “Since when—” “Brave in battle, smart as a whip.” Now the voice seemed to be coming from above us. Luchenko craned his neck, peering into the trees. “An excellent dancer,” said the voice. “Oh, and an even better shot.” “Who—” Luchenko never got to finish. A blast rang out, and a tiny black hole appeared between his eyes. I gasped. “Imposs—” “Don’t say it,” muttered Mal.

Everyone okay?" Mal asked. "Never better," said Genya shakily. David raised his hand. "I've been better.

How could he be so cruel and still so human?

I may not have been completely honest about that." "You? Less than truthful? I'm shocked, Nikolai. Shocked and horrified.

I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan to dress up as a volcra and jump out of a cake." "Well, now you've ruined the surprise.

I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya. Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a taste for you, once.” His head snapped up. He hadn’t expected that. Saints, it was satisfying.

I hate hiding how much the stupid things he did hurt me, but I hated the idea of him finding out even more.

Do you take anything seriously?” “Not if I can help it. Makes life so tedious.

We all die. Not everyone dies for a reason.

Mal snickered. "What's so funny?" "I just pictured the Darkling being cornered by a sweaty duchess trying to have her way with him.

Don’t worry, tracker. You’ll know when our deal is up...I’ll be certain you hear it when I make her scream.

Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should have anticipated another betrayal from you, one more mad grasp at some kind of childish ideal. But I seem to be a victim of my own wishes where you are concerned.” His expression hardened. “What have you come here for, Alina?” I answered him honestly. “I wanted to see you.” I caught the briefest glimpse of surprise before his face shuttered again. “There are two thrones on that dais. You could see me any time you liked.

Don't argue. Never deign to deny. Meet insults with laughter.

You want a love story too? There's none to be had.

What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.

I want you to know my name. The name I was given, not the title I took for myself. Will you have it? "Yes" "Aleksander

People, particularly big men carrying big rifles, don't expect lip from a scrawny thing like me. They always look a bit dazed when they get it.

I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women.

A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes.

Baghra," Nikolai said, "how are you this evening?" "Still old and blind," she snarled. "And charming," Nikolai drawled. "Never forget charming." "Whelp." "Hag." "What do you want, pest?

Have you looked in a mirror lately?" "I think you do that enough for the both of us.

Don't feel too bad, tracker," said the Darkling. "All men can be made fools.

And the Darkling?" "I tried to kill him." "As one does.

Too much champagne?” “Maybe.” “Silly girl,” she said, looping her arm through mine. “There’s no such thing as too much champagne. Though your head will try to tell you otherwise tomorrow.

Then the memory of the Darkling's kiss blew through me and rattled my concentration, scattering my thoughts like leaves and making my heart swoop and dive like a bird borne aloft by uncertain currents.

I got used to seeing him waiting for me at the end of corridors, or sitting at the edge of my bed when I fell asleep at night. When he didn’t appear, I sometimes found myself looking for him or wondering why he hadn’t come, and that frightened me most of all.

So many men had tried to make her a queen. Now she understood that she was meant for something more. The Darkling had told her he was destined to rule. He had claimed his throne, and a part of her too. He was welcome to it. For the living and the dead, she would make herself a reckoning. She would rise.

I don't want lies between us, Alina." "How many lies have you told me, Sturmhond? How many secrets have you kept until you were ready to share them?" "Prince's prerogative?" "If a mere prince gets a pass, so does a living saint." "Are you going to make a habit of winning arguments? It's very unbecoming." "Was this an argument?" "Obviously not. I don't lose arguments.

Alina, I'll be back to fetch you for dinner, but should you grow restless, do feel free to run screaming from the room or take a dagger to her. Whatever seems most fitting at the time." "Are you still here?" snapped Baghra. "I go but hope to remain in your heart," he said solemnly. Then he winked and disappeared.

I would have been different too, without you. Weaker, reckless.” He smiled slightly. “Afraid of the dark.” He brushed the tears from my cheeks. I wasn’t sure when they’d started. “But no matter who or what I was, I would have been yours.

You're very welcome," she said, giving my hair a hard tug. "You should be used to being gawked at by now." "And yet I'm not." "Well, if it gets too bad, give me a signal, and I'll get up on the banquet table, toss my skirt over my head, and do a little dance. That way no one will be looking at you.

You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore hand. My knuckles smarted. “First of all, are we so sure he really is a prince? And second, you’re just jealous.” “Of course I’m jealous. I thought I was going to get to punch him. That isn’t the point.

I shook my head in wonder. "How does he do it?" "Want to know my secret?" Nikolai asked from behind us. We both jumped. He leaned in, looked from left to right, and whispered loudly. "I have a lot of money." I rolled my eyes. "No, really," he protested. "A lot of money.

Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him too, little Saint,” she said with a leer in her voice. “I do,” I admitted. “He’s been kind when he might have been cruel. It’s refreshing.” “He laughs too much.” “There are worse traits.

C’mon,” he said. “One foot in front of the other. You know how it’s done” “You’re interfering with my plan.” “Oh really?” “Yes. Faint, get trampled, grievous injuries all around.” “That sounds like a brilliant plan.” “Ah, but if I’m horribly maimed, I won’t be able to cross the Fold.” Mal nodded slowly. “I see. I can shove you under a cart if that would help.

Like calls to like. I'd sense it when the Hummingbird entered the Unsea, but I'd been too afraid to embrace it. This time, I didn't fight. I let go of my fear, my guilt, my shame. There was darkness inside me. He had put it there, and I would no longer deny it. The volcra, the nichevo'ya, they were my monsters, all of them. And he was my monster too. "My power is yours", I repeated. His arms tightened around me. "And yours is mine," I whispered against his lips.

There are rumors that your Lantsov prince has been sighted.” I drifted nearer, trying to keep my voice casual. “Where?” He glanced up, his lips curling in a slight smile. “Do you like him?” “Does it matter?” “It’s harder when you like them. You mourn them more.” “Tell me, Alina,” said the Darkling. “Has he claimed you yet?” “Claimed me? Like a peninsula?” “No blushes. No averted eyes. How you’ve changed. What about your faithful tracker? Will he sleep curled at the foot of your throne?

What is she to you anyway?" "Here's my answer captain. She's the thing that made this all okay-the threadbare coats and the old boots and the guns that jams when you most need them to fire, the loneliness of knowing that you don't matter, that you will never matter, the fact that you're just another body, another uniform to be sent into the fold or the frost, another good boy who knows his place, who does his job, who doesn't ask questions, who will lie down and die and be forgotten. What is she? She's everything, you dumb son of a bitch.

I told him the story of the day I'd been mending pottery with one of the maids in the kitchen at Keramzin, waiting for him to return from one of the hunting trips that had taken him from home more and more frequently. I'd been fifteen, standing at the counter, vainly trying to glue together the jagged pieces of a blue cup. When I saw him crossing the fields, I ran to the doorway and waved. He caught sight of me and broke into a jog. I had crossed the yard to him slowly, watching him draw closer, baffled by the way my heart was skittering around in my chest. Then he'd picked me up and swung me in a circle, and I'd clung to him, breathing in his sweet, familiar smell, shocked by how much I'd missed him. Dimly, I'd been aware that I still had a shard of that blue cup in my hand, that it was digging into my palm, but I didn't want to let go. When he finally set me down and ambled off into the kitchen to find his lunch, I had stood there, my palm dripping in blood, my head still spinning, knowing that everything had changed. Ana Kuya had scolded me for getting blood on the clean kitchen floor. She'd bandaged my hand and told me it would heal. But I knew it would just go on hurting.