F.T. Lukens > Quotes

“See? Nothing that is a part of you could ever be bad.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Thank you for saving me."

"Thank you for not being afraid of me.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Can I touch you?” Tal asked, stepping closer. “Yes.”

Tal wrapped his arms around Athlen’s shaking body and held on. “I’ve got you.”

“I know.” His breath was cool on Tal’s neck. “For how long?”

“Until you tell me to let go.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Well, your princess isn't in another tower. She's dead.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“You’re my beloved,” Athlen said, his voice a vibration against Tal’s lips.

“And you’re mine.”

They kissed, and kissed, and Tal would’ve thought it a fairy tale if not for the sand in his collar, and the water in his boots, and the ache of his body. But he wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Who was this boy who valued sea glass the same as pearls and gold? Who was he to smile shyly and tease Tal and touch him casually and make his heart race?”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“I thought I lost you."
"You didn't." I pulled him nearer. "You didn't. I'm here.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“I rolled my eyes. "You don't care about titles."
"No," he said, and then his gaze was back on me. He licked his lips. "I don't. I care about you.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“Magic. Always the problem and the solution rolled into one.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“Sometimes a family was a mischievous magical boss, her magical rival turned friend, a magical girl who used to be a babysitter and now was like an older sister, and the person you didn't understand in the beginning but liked so much now. And sometimes it was arguments and sometimes it was hugs and sometimes it was banding together to fight a morally corrupt government body and sometimes it was just existing in the same space together as friends.
But whatever this family was right now, whatever it was going to be, and however it would turn out, it was mine.
And I knew that I belonged.”
― F.T. Lukens, Spell Bound

“Tal frowned and took Athlen’s hand in his. He laced their fingers. “But I’d like for you to be... I want you to be...”

“Yes?” Athlen stepped closer. He licked his lips. “You want me to be what?”

“Mine.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“His horrible, beautiful face and his stupid perfect magic and his snarky hilarious comments. It bothered me that he felt guilty over my predicament. It bothered me that he felt stuck here in the castle. Everything about him bothered me - how smart he was, how he cared about everyone, how he put himself in danger for my sake, how he followed me when I ran away, how he looked when the octopus smacked him and send him airborne, how he'd cultivated flowers just for me, how he trembled when I held his arm as he thrust the practice sword, how the heat of his body against mine made my knees weak and my head spin. How he was the only one I wanted but I was pretty sure he didn't want me.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“The world isn't kind" Tal said as Garrett held him at arm's length, the flames of the torch flickering from the ground, casting both in eerie shadows. "But that doesn't mean I cant be.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“His imagination must have taken pity on him in his last moments, because a vison of Athlen suddenly appeared before him, staring at Tal with his wide sunlight eyes, his pretty red mouth open. But the feeling of Athlen's webbed hands holding Tal's face was shockingly real, soft, and gentle.

Tal's first kiss was rough and frantic, Athlen's mouth bruising against his own, a tight seal of Tal's lips.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“You have a talent for luck when swinging a heavy piece of metal at things.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“Do you love him?”
Tal but his lip. “Yes.”
“He’s a merman. You are human.”
“Yes.”
“Does he love you?”
Tal shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Is he truly the last?”
“Yes.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Tal shook his head. "You are a wonder."

"As are you," he replied, voice somber, free of teasing.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“How was I feeling? Like spoiled meat. Like brackish water. Like I had worked very hard at shearing and chasing sheep all over the field, and had fallen down a rocky hill, then trudged home to sleep on the floor, and woke up with a sore body and without purpose.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“Tal rested his forehead against Athlen's. His heart beat wildly. Magic and desire scorched through his veins, his body set aflame. "I won't leave without you. I promise."

"Thank you."

Tal didn't know what awaited them beyond this moment, but this was the chance he thought he'd missed. He wouldn't miss it again.

Closing the scant distance between them, Tal tilted his head. His pulse thudded hard under his skin as he brushed his chapped lips over Athlen's, trembling and unsure, terrified in equal parts that he might be pushed away or pulled closer. It was the briefest of kisses, and Athlen's mouth was slippery and cool before Tal inched away, breaking the gentle suction. He shivered as Athlen cradled his face in his hands and drew him back to kiss again. Tal surged forward, bold and eager, hungry for every sensation, his fist clenched in the fabric of Athlen's shirt. Athlen returned each fervent press with an intensity of his own, lips parted, mouth hot and willing, and as clumsy as Tal felt.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“They weren’t going to catch me. I was the motherfucking Gingerbread Man.”
― F.T. Lukens, Spell Bound

“I willingly accept any good luck the universe wants to throw my way today.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“I felt like a peacock. A very unprepared peacock. No. A turkey dressed as a peacock. A turkey that might end up on a dinner table because, once everyone saw through the ruse of it being a peacock, they’d want to eat it. Great. Now I was strangely hungry.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“Tal used his sleeve to rub the moisture from his cheeks. He was a prince of Harth. He didn't need to cry over odd boys who made him smile, then disappeared. There would be other boys. Athlen was merely the first.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Athlen frowned. Without thinking, Tal weakly raised his hand and traced the curve of Athlen's mouth with clumsy fingers. Athlen clucked his tongue when Tal grimaced at the action, but Tal wasn't sorry for it, not when Athlen's took his hand, wrapped his own knobby webbed fingers around Tal's, and held them close to his chest.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“Athlen lifted Tal's hand closer, his breath warm and rhythmic on Tal's skin, before he pressed a kiss to the palm...
"Your magic is wonderful," Athlen whispered, "I'll remember you.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“You saved me," Tal said.

Athlen muttered a grin. "You saved me first, remember? I was returning the favor.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“I think you can feel unhappy about your situation and still acknowledge the challenges others have. It's not one or the other.”
― F.T. Lukens, Otherworldly

“Tal trailed his fingertips over Athlen’s cheek. Athlen didn’t flinch away this time. Instead he nuzzled into the touch, eyes remaining closed, but the wrinkles of pain around his eyes eased. Tal leaned in and kissed Athlen’s jaw, then the corner of his slight smile, then he pressed his open mouth to Athlen’s parted lips.

Athlen sighed into it, melting into the kiss, mouth open and pliant, head tipped back as Tal cradled it, his fingers running through the thigh copper hair. Tal pressed a little harder, a little more urgent, a fierce want brewing in his veins.”
― F.T. Lukens, In Deeper Waters

“He met my gaze and gave me a wobbly smile; then his eyes rolled backwards and he swooned, right into my arms.”
― F.T. Lukens, So This Is Ever After

“I wouldn’t allow myself to be diminished for the comfort of others.”
― F.T. Lukens, Love at Second Sight