“
Something that can pull men apart-"
"Money?" asked Enrique.
"Love!" said Hypnos.
"Magnets," said Zofia.
Laila, Enrique, and Hypnos turned to stare at her.
"Powerful magnets," Zofia amended.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2))
“
When he [Enrique] turned his head, he saw Zofia and Raslan on the left side of his bed, while Laila and Severin stood near the foot.
"Bravery is physically exhausting," he managed.
"You're awake!"cried Laila, hugging him.
"You're alive."
"And your hair remains exceptional," said Ruslan kindly.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2))
“
Enrique rolled his eyes. “Most women kill to be alone with me.” “I have learned that something does not have to be animate in order to use the word ‘kill,’” said Zofia. “Like how some people say ‘kill time.’ Perhaps these women you are referencing are killing their expectations?
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))
“
Phoenix . . ."
"Hmm?"
"You are not actually thinking of hiding a large explosive near our faces, are you?" asked Enrique.
"No," said Zofia.
"Good-"
"It's a very tiny explosive. Hardly larger than six centimeters."
"No," said Hypnos and Enrique at the same time.
Laila took that as her cue to leave.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Bronzed Beasts (The Gilded Wolves, #3))
“
Hypnos deflated. “That tells us nothing.” “We also know that Roux-Joubert wears a honeybee pin,” said Enrique. “So? Today I’m wearing underwear. It’s hardly monumental.” Zofia frowned. “Why did you specify today—
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))
“
When she got to the end of the hall, Zofia stopped short. Enrique and Hypnos had not moved from their spot. Their eyes were locked on each other, heads bent low in conversation and then—just as suddenly—not in conversation.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))
“
Zofia, Enrique, and Hypnos bolted out of the Chamber of Goddesses.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2))
“
Enrique saw him first and immediately pointed at Zofia. “Zofia just tried to set fire to the Tezcat spectacles.” Zofia scowled at him. “I tried to see if the lens and the spectacles might be welded together.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2))
“
Laila threw it in his face. “Haven’t you had enough? You’ve already given me a watch, a briefcase, two teacups, and asked me to touch the couch, which I am still recovering from.” She feigned a shudder. “At least Zofia spared me.” Zofia shrugged. “An object’s personal context does not affect its utility.” “Not true!” Enrique had said. “It could be proof of something. Laila, you’re practically a goddess.” Laila sipped her tea, assuming an expression Enrique had come to recognize as “smug cat.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves, #2))
“
Laila grinned widely. “My hero.” She kissed him on the cheek, and Enrique beamed. He wasn’t quite like the heroes he’d dreamed of becoming. He hadn’t saved a country from oppression or rescued anyone on his white horse … but he still felt rather impressive. He turned to Zofia, about to congratulate her, when she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not going to kiss you like Laila did.” Black ash streaked Zofia’s arms and the tops of her cheekbones. It made her eyes look like blue fire, her hair a wisp of candlelight. The farthest thing from his mind was her mouth on his, but when she said it, he couldn’t help but look at her lips. They were red as candy. Abruptly, Enrique pinched the bridge of his nose. He must have hit his head because the strangest thoughts kept darting through it.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))
“
What is taking that security guard so long?” Enrique grumbled. “He was supposed to be out by eight o’clock. It’s nearly nine.”
“Maybe he doesn’t have a clock.”
He stared at her. “Are you finally making a joke?”
“I’m pointing out a gap in your observation.”
Enrique let out a low whooshing breath. “And to think I could’ve been dancing at the Palais des Rêves tonight.”
“They didn’t want you, remember? Séverin said your face was all wrong.”
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))
“
Be like Laila, said a voice in her brain.
Zofia sat up straight, held his gaze, then did what she’d seen Laila do many times when she looked at Séverin--lift one corner of her mouth ever so slightly, but tilt her head down at the same time … wait, now she couldn’t see anything, oh, and Laila would sometimes lift up one shoulder
—
“What on earth are you doing?”
“I am imitating patterns of flirtation.”
“Wait. You’re flirting. With … me?”
Zofia frowned. Why would he think that? She just said she was imitating the general strategy of others.
“Maybe I have the methodology wrong. I also saw women do this. Better?”
She relaxed her body. Then pretended there was something on her upper lip and licked it off with a slow swipe of her tongue.
Enrique blinked rapidly then shook his head.
Shaking one’s head meant no.
Zofia shrugged and waved her hand. “I’ll practice later.”
“You … don’t need much,” said Enrique, his voice pitched lower than usual. He wasn’t looking at her. She must have been terrible.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))
“
Any trouble?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Zofia, matter-of-fact. “There was a fireball and the ground broke, and we thought Tristan and Enrique were dead.”
“What?”
“Tristan is fine,” soothed Laila. “He’s upstairs now, standing guard.”
“Did you say fur ball?” asked Hypnos. “Like a puppy? How endearing.”
“She said fireball.”
“Oh. That is decidedly less endearing.
”
”
Roshani Chokshi (The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1))