Alice Coldbreath > Quotes

“You’re mine,” he said darkly against her ear. Then he pulled back, looking at her through unfathomable, dark eyes. “Now you say it, Linnet.” She leant up on her tip toes, bringing her mouth close to his ear. “You’re mine,” she whispered and felt him go still before his breathing caught. When she leant back he had the strangest, conflicted look on his face. But he’d wanted to hear the words, she thought in puzzlement. Hadn’t he? “Let’s try again,” he said tightly.”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Baseborn Bridegroom

“Do you want to know the truth?” He moved his mouth to her ear. “I’d be disappointed if anything changed about you Linnet. Anything at all.”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“Not wanting him to accuse her of not pulling her weight, she tilted her head up and leaned into the kiss.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Bride for the Prizefighter

“You . . . you’ll need to do the other next,” she said anxiously, her eyes flying open. “The same amount of circles. I don’t want one bigger than the other.” He shook his head slightly. He had no idea what the fuck she was talking about. It trickled through his brain that her other breast wanted some attention. Well, he was fine with that.”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Baseborn Bridegroom

“Next time,” he said tightly. “I want you to simply tell me from the outset whatever is troubling you. I don’t like misjudging you.”
Fen thought about this a moment, weighing up his words. “Even if it’s beneath your notice?” she asked in a small voice.
“If it’s regarding you, then it isn’t beneath my notice,” he answered shortly.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

“I really am going to try to be a better courtier, to match you,” she assured him.
“I forbid you to even try.”
“Why?”
He shrugged again. “I want you to direct all your efforts into other channels.”
“A better wife then?” she hazarded. “Less jealous and more understanding?”
He frowned. “Is that what you want from me? You’re not getting it.”
Fen gasped and then laughed. “No, that wasn’t what I meant…”
“You can be as jealous as you want. Not that I give you any cause.”
She just about forbore from pointing out that she didn’t give him any cause either. “What do you want me to direct my effort at then?” she asked in puzzlement.
“Loving me,” he said simply.
“Oh.” Fen found tears were pricking her eyes. “But that takes no effort at all.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

““Maurency seems to be undergoing a remarkable and somewhat undesirable transformation.”

“What?”

“He’s changed hair color, put on some muscle and now seems to be cracking skulls rather than saying his prayers.”

Mason rose and rounded the table.

“In short, it looks like Linnet’s ideal hero might be turning into you.”

[...]

“He looks improved, but I still don’t like him.”

“He’s you, you fool,” responded Oswald scathingly.”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“She was not a beauteous maiden and he had not rescued her from her tower. If anything, she had called down to him and he had pointed out there was a door. The many steps leading to her freedom had to be scaled by Linnet alone.”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“Benedict gave a short laugh. “There’s nothing so nasty as that which a narrow mind can conjure up,” he said softly.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter

“He's you, you fool," responded Oswald scathingly. Congratulations. You've turned the most chivalrous knight of yore into the Despoiler of Demoyne. Maybe Linnet could write up your tales." When Mason didn't respond he looked across. "Good grief, are you blushing?”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“His chest heaved. “I’m tired of trying to be the perfect, considerate husband to you, Emmeline, so you’re just going to get the one you’ve got. Faulty, far from perfect, and frequently wrong.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Foolish Flirtation

“She is not going to get sweating sickness!“ said Mason harshly. He stood up. “Do not-!” He bit off his words angrily and pressed his fist to his mouth. “Do not speak of this in front of me again,” he said after a moment’s silence, his eyes glittering. “Are you trying to -?” Once again his words broke off as he seemed to struggle with his line of thought.”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“I’ve bought a town house,” said Oswald. “In Aphrany. A huge black and white timbered monstrosity. The kind a very rich merchant lives in.”
“Why in god’s name?” asked Mason.
“Because Fenella once said she likes them,” said Oswald. “In a purely throw-away conversation. But for some reason, every word she speaks is seared on my brain.”
Roland cleared his throat. “Bit impulsive for you, isn’t it?”
“A bit?” echoed Oswald. “I forced the King to sign annulment papers to an eight-year marriage. Simply because I feel sick to my stomach at the idea of her ever belonging to another man. And the worst of it is, that the annulment is the least drastic course of action that occurred to me. For the last three months, in my head I have been drawing up legal papers to sue Thane for the eight years he spent at my wife’s side, masquerading in my rightful place. In her life, in her heart and in her bed.” He heard his voice shake with anger and realized his brothers must too. Taking a deep breath, he continued more evenly. “Each time I mentally draft the petition, I request a more severe punishment befitting of his crime.”
“What kind of punishments?” asked Mason with interest, sitting back in his seat.
Oswald blew out a shaky breath. “In the latest version, it was beheading.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

“No, I was not out whoring,” roared Mason, flinging his goblet of wine across the room so hard it bounced off the wall and rolled all the way back to his feet. “For fuck’s sake!” He glared at his father. “I couldn’t sleep because I am in danger of losing my wife which is something you wouldn’t have the first fucking clue about even if you have been married three times. Because let me explain this to you father, Wives are not like live-stock and you do not breed them like horses. And if you ever speak of Linnet dying of a disease again, so help me, I will-”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“Above all else, prepare yourself, for at the end of these two weeks I will return, and you will be mine. Jeremy”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Foolish Flirtation

“Mathilde mopped her eyes and sat back.  “I give them sweets and mend their hose, and they teach me their games, or tell me their woes.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

“You just gave me all that sweetness you'd stored up all those years as though I .. as though I deserved it. And ... Almost in spite of myself, I found I wanted it. I wanted that sweetness so bad...”
― Alice Coldbreath, Her Bastard Bridegroom

“A roll in the sheets with me at present would likely snap you in half," he added.

Lenora blinked. "are you so rough then, that I need to be more robust?" she asked with some acerbity.”
― Alice Coldbreath, The Unlovely Bride

“Why are you crying, Lenora?” he groaned.  “Should I stop?” “You like me?” she asked in a small voice.
What the hell?  “Of course, I fucking like you.” He stared down at her thunderstruck.  But really, how could she know?  He was pretty taken aback by his declaration himself.  “I like you,” he said firmly.  “But.” She hesitated.  “You don’t like anyone.” “Bullshit,” he said flatly.  “I like you.  A lot.”
― Alice Coldbreath, The Unlovely Bride

“Nothing you’ve just told us changes how I feel about you. You’re my brother, always were, always will be.”
Oswald flinched. “You still want me for Archie’s godfather?” he asked quietly.
“Don’t be a fool,” growled Mason. “Of course I bloody do!”
“You’re not getting out of that just by being a stone-cold killer,” muttered Roland. “In fact, that probably helps qualify you for the job.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

“She broke off as Garman rolled her under him. “Really Lenora?” he growled.  “You needed this to prove I’m your true love?”  He raised an eyebrow at her.  “Have you not heard a single thing I’ve said to you?” Lenora swallowed.  “You—you did not speak of love,” she pointed out shakily. “Yes, I did,” he insisted.  “With every single word I spoke.” “You did?” “Aye, with every word and every action.” “You did not say so specifically.”
― Alice Coldbreath, The Unlovely Bride

“When he finally spoke, she was almost startled.  “Shall I tell you what will become of you?” he asked suddenly. Lenora turned her head to look at him.  “Please do.” “Whatever you will.”
― Alice Coldbreath, The Unlovely Bride

“Aye wife, your face.” His voice was thick with emotion and lust, but he held her gaze as he started to thrust in earnest.  “For it’s the face I love best in all the world.”
― Alice Coldbreath, The Unlovely Bride

“Soon as I woke up, of course, and found her in my bed,” replied Roland smugly.  “Turns out I’m a lot smarter than we all thought.”
― Alice Coldbreath, An Ill-Made Match

“Her body under his was a revelation. So, this was where his wife belonged.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

“Come, large dog!” one of them cried. “Come to Zaya!” She held out a gold bangle for his inspection. Sebastian sniffed it with the air of one humoring another. The glance he threw Benedict was distinctly sheepish, as if he knew full well he looked a fool.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter

“You need to pick your battles once you’re the wrong side of thirty.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter

“Jeremy felt the laughter bubbling up inside him but knew it would be a mistake to let it out. God, he had forgotten how much he liked talking with her. It was so strange how she still had the ability to make him feel like the world was a better place simply by being in her presence.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Foolish Flirtation

“I feel like there’s something corrosive inside my chest.” He said slowly, touching his fingers to his heart. “It’s going to eat its way out. You don’t have the first idea.”
“I do know,” said Mason simply.
“Indigestion?” hazarded Roland looking completely lost.
Mason rolled his eyes. “Jealousy.”
― Alice Coldbreath, His Forsaken Bride

“She stretched out her fingers. “A bright star shines at your brow and fortune smiles down upon your path in life.” The young woman’s mouth fell open. “Oh,” she breathed. “Does it really?” Lizzie rolled her eyes.”
― Alice Coldbreath, A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter