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“I’m never late, not ever. I always arrive exactly when I plan to. Whether that coincides with other people’s schedules is another matter entirely.”
― A Bear's Bride
― A Bear's Bride
“I have learned how to be a lady. It's just so dull I can't stick with it.”
― Pippa of Lauramore
― Pippa of Lauramore
“Beauty fades, hair turns gray. Some people are lost before their time. But in the end, we don't remember them for how they looked. We remember how they made us feel.”
― Audette of Brookraven
― Audette of Brookraven
“Tell me, what's the difference between tracking a wild beast and securing a husband?”
― Moss Forest Orchid
― Moss Forest Orchid
“We play and tease, but―darn it―he has not dragged me into the rain and kissed me senseless yet. And that's how it's supposed to happen. I know; I read romance novels.”
― Just the Essentials
― Just the Essentials
“What does it say about me that my dearest friend is a cat?” I whisper as I begin to drift. “It says you have the very best taste in companions.”
― Puss without Boots
― Puss without Boots
“And you're right―I don't want nice. I want sparks and fire. I want a romance novel. A Jane Austen movie. A fairy tale.”
― Shine and Shimmer
― Shine and Shimmer
“speed in which he shifts nearly stops my heart. One moment I’m talking to him, the next a gigantic feline prowls over the long dining room table, batting plates aside and growling as he stalks toward me. Scooting my chair back, properly terrified, I quickly say, “Apparently I was wrong.” The lion still appears as if he’s going to attack. “A lion is impressive, yes, but what about an elephant?” I continue. “Can you change into a beast that large? Surely not.” With a loud crack and flying wood, the table collapses as the lion morphs into a creature so gigantic, there is scarcely room for him. Dishes, settings, and candelabras fly this way and that. The elephant holds a huge foot over me. “Are you impressed yet, Carabas?” “Quite,” I squeak and then clear my throat. “But, now that I think of it, it’s only natural that a large creature such as yourself can change into other large creatures. Not that difficult, really.” Slowly, the ogre-elephant lowers his foot, looking as if he’s about to gore me with his tusks. Standing, hoping to put a little distance between me and the beast, I add, “But to change into something tiny, something insignificant—now that would be a feat.” “Like what, Carabas?” the ogre glares at me with foreign eyes. “A rabbit? A grouse?” I shrug. “Certainly, but what about something as tiny as…a mouse? That would be quite impossible, would it not?” And just like that, the elephant is gone, vanished before my very eyes. I frantically look for him in the broken plates, splintered table, and mess of molten wax on the floor. Before I even spot the rodent the ogre shifted into, Puss leaps into the middle of the mess, pouncing with outstretched paws and a greedy look in his bright green eyes. A tiny gray tail disappears into the cat’s mouth, and that is my very last glimpse of the ogre. I stare at Puss with disbelief. The world slows, and the steady thrum of the grandfather clock in the corner is the only thing that tells me that time hasn’t actually stopped. “It”
― Puss without Boots
― Puss without Boots
“It’s going to be dangerous,” she warns.
“I know.”
“Which weapon do you favor? I’ll buy whatever you need while I’m in the city tomorrow.”
“I…I don’t necessarily favor one over another.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I laugh. “Besides, won’t we travel during the day? Will I need a weapon?”
Cassia’s eyes go wide. “Braeton, you can fight, can’t you?”
“I’m…adequate…at most things.”
She closes her eyes, groaning, and my face goes hot.
“I’ll take a sword,” I tell her.
“What type?” she asks.
“Let’s go with…sharp.”
The princess’s eyes fly open, and her lips part with horror. I laugh, bumping her shoulder with mine. “A long sword—and a shield if you can find one.”
“Oh, Braeton, I thought you were serious.” She presses a hand over her heart as she laughs. “Goodness. Can you imagine a prince who doesn’t know how to fight?”
I laugh with her even though I’m cringing on the inside. It will be all right, though. We’ll simply avoid trouble by traveling during the day.
The princess smiles at me, making my stomach knot.
For the first time in my life, I wish I’d spent less time in our library and more time in the practice yard with Gage and Kier.”
― Sea of Starlight
“I know.”
“Which weapon do you favor? I’ll buy whatever you need while I’m in the city tomorrow.”
“I…I don’t necessarily favor one over another.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I laugh. “Besides, won’t we travel during the day? Will I need a weapon?”
Cassia’s eyes go wide. “Braeton, you can fight, can’t you?”
“I’m…adequate…at most things.”
She closes her eyes, groaning, and my face goes hot.
“I’ll take a sword,” I tell her.
“What type?” she asks.
“Let’s go with…sharp.”
The princess’s eyes fly open, and her lips part with horror. I laugh, bumping her shoulder with mine. “A long sword—and a shield if you can find one.”
“Oh, Braeton, I thought you were serious.” She presses a hand over her heart as she laughs. “Goodness. Can you imagine a prince who doesn’t know how to fight?”
I laugh with her even though I’m cringing on the inside. It will be all right, though. We’ll simply avoid trouble by traveling during the day.
The princess smiles at me, making my stomach knot.
For the first time in my life, I wish I’d spent less time in our library and more time in the practice yard with Gage and Kier.”
― Sea of Starlight
“It wanted me,” she says, her tone too even. “Me alone.”
I turn her in my arms to face her. “You’re safe now.”
“I am the key.” She shakes her head. “If I deny it, there will be more and more of this...until eventually, both kingdoms will die.”
“Amalia…”
“I love you,” she says, meeting my eyes, not caring who hears her. “Rhys, I love you desperately. Whether you love me or not. But what can I do? If I’m with you, everything will be destroyed. And it will be my fault.”
“Give me time,” I whisper. “Please.”
“We don’t have time.”
“Then give me minutes,” I whisper, holding her close.
“Rhys,” she says, her voice breaking.
“I love you, Amalia. And I swear to you—I make a solemn vow—I will see us through this together.”
“You love me?” she whispers, tears once more trailing down her cheeks.
“I do.”
And then, not caring who sees, I capture her face in my hands and press my lips to hers, sealing the vow I made back in Saulette. Amalia cries against me, grasping hold of my shoulders and pulling me close.
I lean into her, swearing to myself I will make good on my promise. Her tears wet my face, but she meets me without hesitation—trusting me, as I’ve asked her to do so many times.
And dawn breaks.”
― Sea of Starlight
I turn her in my arms to face her. “You’re safe now.”
“I am the key.” She shakes her head. “If I deny it, there will be more and more of this...until eventually, both kingdoms will die.”
“Amalia…”
“I love you,” she says, meeting my eyes, not caring who hears her. “Rhys, I love you desperately. Whether you love me or not. But what can I do? If I’m with you, everything will be destroyed. And it will be my fault.”
“Give me time,” I whisper. “Please.”
“We don’t have time.”
“Then give me minutes,” I whisper, holding her close.
“Rhys,” she says, her voice breaking.
“I love you, Amalia. And I swear to you—I make a solemn vow—I will see us through this together.”
“You love me?” she whispers, tears once more trailing down her cheeks.
“I do.”
And then, not caring who sees, I capture her face in my hands and press my lips to hers, sealing the vow I made back in Saulette. Amalia cries against me, grasping hold of my shoulders and pulling me close.
I lean into her, swearing to myself I will make good on my promise. Her tears wet my face, but she meets me without hesitation—trusting me, as I’ve asked her to do so many times.
And dawn breaks.”
― Sea of Starlight
“I promise, I solemnly swear, I will return in one piece.”
― Forest of Firelight
― Forest of Firelight
“All right. We’ll find you something,” Gage says, finally relenting. “Any preferences? War hammer? Battle axe?” “Be serious.” He laughs. “Wee little dagger it is.”
― Forest of Firelight
― Forest of Firelight
“Do you realize you’ve been present for every truly awful thing that’s ever happened to me?” I try to breathe as he’s instructed.
“Do you realize you’ve led a much more exciting life since I’ve been part of it?”
― Greybrow Serpent
“Do you realize you’ve led a much more exciting life since I’ve been part of it?”
― Greybrow Serpent
“Men are strange. What is their fascination with fire?” “I have no idea.”
― Lily of the Desert
― Lily of the Desert
“You’re such a pirate.”
He chuckles under his breath. “I’ll pretend you meant that as a term of endearment.”
“I don’t.”
― Greybrow Serpent
He chuckles under his breath. “I’ll pretend you meant that as a term of endearment.”
“I don’t.”
― Greybrow Serpent
“And you're right- I don't want nice. I want sparks and fire. I want a romance novel. A Jane Austen movie. A fairy tale.”
― Shine and Shimmer
― Shine and Shimmer
“He’s stitched a piece of leather to the inside leg of my boot.”
― Pippa of Lauramore
― Pippa of Lauramore
“I caught a firefly in a jar so I could look upon its light…but if I don’t set her free, she’ll die.”
― The Gilded Fae
― The Gilded Fae
“She’s delirious from the poison. Go with Dryal to her chambers. Lock her in her rooms until the execution.”
― Seirsha of Errinton
― Seirsha of Errinton
“We reach a shelf of rock. I climb it, finding handholds in the slick, wet stone, and then turn back for Amalia.
“Tryndon will give you a boost.” I kneel and extend my hand.
She looks at the rock wall in front of her, uncertain.
“It will be fine,” I assure her. “Once I have you, just walk up the rock.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Tryndon says as he sets his palms on either side of the princess’s waist. “You’re going to jump, all right?”
“Jump?” she demands.
“Like a bunny. One…two…”
“I don’t think—”
“Three.”
The timing is off, and Amalia only gives a halfhearted hop. I’m not sure her feet even leave the ground.
“All right, we’ll try again,” Tryndon says, undaunted. “Bend your knees. Pretend you’re a frog.”
I try not to think about my brother’s hands on Amalia’s waist, and I swallow back a twinge of irrational jealousy.
The princess peers at Tryndon over her shoulder. “Am I a frog or a bunny? Make up your mind.”
“You’re whichever one hops higher,” he answers solemnly. “One…two…three.”
― Sea of Starlight
“Tryndon will give you a boost.” I kneel and extend my hand.
She looks at the rock wall in front of her, uncertain.
“It will be fine,” I assure her. “Once I have you, just walk up the rock.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Tryndon says as he sets his palms on either side of the princess’s waist. “You’re going to jump, all right?”
“Jump?” she demands.
“Like a bunny. One…two…”
“I don’t think—”
“Three.”
The timing is off, and Amalia only gives a halfhearted hop. I’m not sure her feet even leave the ground.
“All right, we’ll try again,” Tryndon says, undaunted. “Bend your knees. Pretend you’re a frog.”
I try not to think about my brother’s hands on Amalia’s waist, and I swallow back a twinge of irrational jealousy.
The princess peers at Tryndon over her shoulder. “Am I a frog or a bunny? Make up your mind.”
“You’re whichever one hops higher,” he answers solemnly. “One…two…three.”
― Sea of Starlight
“Because I feel the need to step closer, I step back.”
― Audette of Brookraven
― Audette of Brookraven
“You should go to the gardens,” the king says after a long moment. “They’re far more cheerful than a hall of dead kings.”
“I don’t know the way. Perhaps you would walk me there?” I ask hesitantly. “You can tell me about your family. I would like to know more of my new people.”
It’s a subtle offer of peace, one that I’m not entirely sure I’m ready to offer.
The king turns to me. We study each other, coming to a silent understanding. He doesn’t particularly like me. I don’t particularly like him.
But perhaps we can be civil.
After a moment, he nods. “I’ll show you the tree Rhys first climbed as a child. Coincidentally, that was also the day he first broke his arm.”
I laugh, startled by the change in the king’s demeanor.
He pauses, looking at me as if he’s unsure of something. I didn’t say anything, so I couldn’t have offended him yet.
“Perhaps we’ll bring Julia? She hasn’t taken a walk through the garden in too long.” He gives me a wry smile. “And Cassia isn’t here to tell her she can’t.”
“Rhys spoke of his mother while in Renove,” I say softly. “He cares for her greatly.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry you felt as if he betrayed you both,” I whisper.
“I believe that apology should come from my son.” He then clears his throat. “But I appreciate it all the same.”
I follow him down the hall, nervous about meeting the queen again. I’m certain I didn’t make a good first impression.
“I should apologize as well,” King Egan says, looking straight ahead. “It’s easy to make decisions when you’re dealing with faceless individuals. They’re like pieces on an Echelon board. But then you meet your pawns, and you begin to feel remorse and second-guess your choices. It’s not a dignified state for a king.”
I nod, unsure how to answer, so we continue down the hall in near silence.
“I do have a question,” I finally say. “It’s something that’s been bothering me since we arrived back at the castle in the rain.”
Though he looks hesitant, Rhys’s father nods for me to continue.
“If the aboveground water in your kingdom has become toxic, where did Rhys learn to swim?”
The king barks out an unexpected laugh. “That, ironically, brings us to the place where Rhys broke his arm for a second time.”
― Dawn of Darkness
“I don’t know the way. Perhaps you would walk me there?” I ask hesitantly. “You can tell me about your family. I would like to know more of my new people.”
It’s a subtle offer of peace, one that I’m not entirely sure I’m ready to offer.
The king turns to me. We study each other, coming to a silent understanding. He doesn’t particularly like me. I don’t particularly like him.
But perhaps we can be civil.
After a moment, he nods. “I’ll show you the tree Rhys first climbed as a child. Coincidentally, that was also the day he first broke his arm.”
I laugh, startled by the change in the king’s demeanor.
He pauses, looking at me as if he’s unsure of something. I didn’t say anything, so I couldn’t have offended him yet.
“Perhaps we’ll bring Julia? She hasn’t taken a walk through the garden in too long.” He gives me a wry smile. “And Cassia isn’t here to tell her she can’t.”
“Rhys spoke of his mother while in Renove,” I say softly. “He cares for her greatly.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry you felt as if he betrayed you both,” I whisper.
“I believe that apology should come from my son.” He then clears his throat. “But I appreciate it all the same.”
I follow him down the hall, nervous about meeting the queen again. I’m certain I didn’t make a good first impression.
“I should apologize as well,” King Egan says, looking straight ahead. “It’s easy to make decisions when you’re dealing with faceless individuals. They’re like pieces on an Echelon board. But then you meet your pawns, and you begin to feel remorse and second-guess your choices. It’s not a dignified state for a king.”
I nod, unsure how to answer, so we continue down the hall in near silence.
“I do have a question,” I finally say. “It’s something that’s been bothering me since we arrived back at the castle in the rain.”
Though he looks hesitant, Rhys’s father nods for me to continue.
“If the aboveground water in your kingdom has become toxic, where did Rhys learn to swim?”
The king barks out an unexpected laugh. “That, ironically, brings us to the place where Rhys broke his arm for a second time.”
― Dawn of Darkness
“I can’t be your king.”
As reasons go, it’s a good one. But I know there’s more behind it, and that’s what I want. An actual explanation.
“So, if I were just a simple girl, from a simple family, and not the princess…?”
Rhys’s hand finds my waist, and he nudges me back until our faces are as close as they were before. “I wouldn’t be able to walk away from you.” He lets out a self-deprecating sort of laugh. “What am I saying? I know better, and I still haven’t been able to walk away.”
My heart breaks a little. Why must life be so unfair? Why was Braeton taken from me; why was I sent in his place? I don’t want to be queen—I don’t want to choose our king.
I just want Rhys.
“Just for a few minutes, can’t we pretend there isn’t a title attached to my name?” I whisper, running my fingers through the damp hair at the nape of his neck. “Would that be so wrong?”
“It would be,” Rhys answers, his voice full of conviction.
Yet his hand tightens at my side, drawing me even closer, his physical response at odds with his answer.
His eyes are on mine, the intimacy of it almost too much to bear. “But I don’t have the will to stop you right now. If I am what you want, then I give myself to you. However, please know these fleeting minutes are all we have.”
I lick my lips, and his eyes follow the movement. My breaths are short and fast, and Rhys’s fingers press into my side in the most intoxicating way.
Making a decision I’ll likely regret, I slowly pull back. Disappointment flashes in Rhys’s green eyes when I put space between us, but I stand strong.
“If minutes are all you can give me, I won’t waste them now,” I tell him softly. “I’ll save them, hide them away. Outwardly, I will keep our relationship purely platonic, but sometime—when I need you the most—I’ll make my request.”
“Amalia…” Rhys says, sounding pained.
Unable to help myself, I lean in and press the briefest kiss to the very corner of his lips. For a moment, I wonder if the knight is going to lock his arms around me, hold me here, convince me to use those minutes now.
But he doesn’t.
“You can deduct a second from my total,” I tease softly when I pull back. I then climb out of the hot spring, dripping water along the stone.”
― Forest of Firelight
As reasons go, it’s a good one. But I know there’s more behind it, and that’s what I want. An actual explanation.
“So, if I were just a simple girl, from a simple family, and not the princess…?”
Rhys’s hand finds my waist, and he nudges me back until our faces are as close as they were before. “I wouldn’t be able to walk away from you.” He lets out a self-deprecating sort of laugh. “What am I saying? I know better, and I still haven’t been able to walk away.”
My heart breaks a little. Why must life be so unfair? Why was Braeton taken from me; why was I sent in his place? I don’t want to be queen—I don’t want to choose our king.
I just want Rhys.
“Just for a few minutes, can’t we pretend there isn’t a title attached to my name?” I whisper, running my fingers through the damp hair at the nape of his neck. “Would that be so wrong?”
“It would be,” Rhys answers, his voice full of conviction.
Yet his hand tightens at my side, drawing me even closer, his physical response at odds with his answer.
His eyes are on mine, the intimacy of it almost too much to bear. “But I don’t have the will to stop you right now. If I am what you want, then I give myself to you. However, please know these fleeting minutes are all we have.”
I lick my lips, and his eyes follow the movement. My breaths are short and fast, and Rhys’s fingers press into my side in the most intoxicating way.
Making a decision I’ll likely regret, I slowly pull back. Disappointment flashes in Rhys’s green eyes when I put space between us, but I stand strong.
“If minutes are all you can give me, I won’t waste them now,” I tell him softly. “I’ll save them, hide them away. Outwardly, I will keep our relationship purely platonic, but sometime—when I need you the most—I’ll make my request.”
“Amalia…” Rhys says, sounding pained.
Unable to help myself, I lean in and press the briefest kiss to the very corner of his lips. For a moment, I wonder if the knight is going to lock his arms around me, hold me here, convince me to use those minutes now.
But he doesn’t.
“You can deduct a second from my total,” I tease softly when I pull back. I then climb out of the hot spring, dripping water along the stone.”
― Forest of Firelight
“If I say it, I usually mean it—even if I try to take it back later.”
― Sea of Starlight
― Sea of Starlight
“like he hadn’t just shattered me with one sentence.”
― Shine and Shimmer
― Shine and Shimmer
“Tryndon opens his door, looking appropriately disheveled for two in the morning. His blond hair stands in tufts, and his eyes are half-lidded. He yawns as he rests his arm against the doorframe. “What can I do for you at this hour, captain? I assume it’s nothing urgent or you wouldn’t have bothered knocking.”
“Am I your captain?” I ask.
He narrows his tired eyes further, smirking. “In theory.”
“Good. Does that mean you trust me?”
“Surprisingly, that statement doesn't instill a lot of trust.”
“I'm going to do something that might seem like a bad idea, but I swear I know what I’m doing.” I pause and then wryly add, “In theory.”
He lifts a quizzical brow. “And…”
“I need your help.”
“All right—I’m intrigued.”
“I’m going to marry Amalia tonight. I want you to stand as our witness.”
For the first time in his life, Tryndon has been rendered speechless. My brother stares at me like he misunderstood—as if, surely, I didn’t utter the words he swears he heard.
I wait for him to come to terms with the fact that I did.
“Rhys…” he says, finally finding his voice. “You can’t.”
“I can, and I will—with you or without you. But I’d rather say my vows with my brother standing by my side.”
He shakes his head, laughing under his breath. “You’re insane. Go to bed.”
I catch the door when he begins to shut it. “I need to tell you what I learned in the forest. Will you listen?”
He narrows his eyes, studying me. Finally, he opens the door and allows me inside.”
― Sea of Starlight
“Am I your captain?” I ask.
He narrows his tired eyes further, smirking. “In theory.”
“Good. Does that mean you trust me?”
“Surprisingly, that statement doesn't instill a lot of trust.”
“I'm going to do something that might seem like a bad idea, but I swear I know what I’m doing.” I pause and then wryly add, “In theory.”
He lifts a quizzical brow. “And…”
“I need your help.”
“All right—I’m intrigued.”
“I’m going to marry Amalia tonight. I want you to stand as our witness.”
For the first time in his life, Tryndon has been rendered speechless. My brother stares at me like he misunderstood—as if, surely, I didn’t utter the words he swears he heard.
I wait for him to come to terms with the fact that I did.
“Rhys…” he says, finally finding his voice. “You can’t.”
“I can, and I will—with you or without you. But I’d rather say my vows with my brother standing by my side.”
He shakes his head, laughing under his breath. “You’re insane. Go to bed.”
I catch the door when he begins to shut it. “I need to tell you what I learned in the forest. Will you listen?”
He narrows his eyes, studying me. Finally, he opens the door and allows me inside.”
― Sea of Starlight
“No,” Irving says, his voice quiet as he comes up behind me. “Don’t let it frighten you, don’t be ashamed. Look at your reflection.”
― Audette of Brookraven
― Audette of Brookraven
“Let me pretend that you love me.”
I set my hand on his cheek. “I do love you, and I know you’re going to get through this.”
Surprising me, he leans into my touch and closes his eyes. “Say it again, but this time, try to make it sound less like you’re talking to one of your brothers.”
I breathe out a quiet laugh and remove my hand. “You know where my heart lies.”
Lawrence opens his eyes partway, studying me with a hint of a smirk. “If I can’t have your heart, I could be placated with other parts of you, you know.”
I cock my head to the side. “Have you always been this horrid, or was it a learned trait?”
― Fall of the Ember Throne
I set my hand on his cheek. “I do love you, and I know you’re going to get through this.”
Surprising me, he leans into my touch and closes his eyes. “Say it again, but this time, try to make it sound less like you’re talking to one of your brothers.”
I breathe out a quiet laugh and remove my hand. “You know where my heart lies.”
Lawrence opens his eyes partway, studying me with a hint of a smirk. “If I can’t have your heart, I could be placated with other parts of you, you know.”
I cock my head to the side. “Have you always been this horrid, or was it a learned trait?”
― Fall of the Ember Throne
“You are a complete and utter disaster,” Rhys breathes. Oddly, he almost makes it sound like an endearing quality.”
― Forest of Firelight
― Forest of Firelight
“He extends his hands in surrender. “I like you standing by my side. I like sitting with you at dinner. I like…being with you.”
“Lawrence.”
“We’re different together, Clover. Other women…” He shakes his head as if struggling. “I like how they feel—”
“That’s too much information,” I interrupt.
“No, listen,” he insists. “I like the rush, but I don’t like them. They’re disposable—”
“You are the worst.”
“But you…I don’t want to touch you.”
I straighten in my chair, wondering if I’ll be arrested if I slap the king.
“Because you are precious,” he continues carefully. “And I’m afraid if I mess up, I’ll lose you.”
― Fall of the Ember Throne
“Lawrence.”
“We’re different together, Clover. Other women…” He shakes his head as if struggling. “I like how they feel—”
“That’s too much information,” I interrupt.
“No, listen,” he insists. “I like the rush, but I don’t like them. They’re disposable—”
“You are the worst.”
“But you…I don’t want to touch you.”
I straighten in my chair, wondering if I’ll be arrested if I slap the king.
“Because you are precious,” he continues carefully. “And I’m afraid if I mess up, I’ll lose you.”
― Fall of the Ember Throne
