Ignifex Quotes

“If you start wondering how this house works, you'll likely go mad. That could be amusing, I suppose. Especially if it's the kind of madness that causes you to run naked through the hallways. Do feel free to indulge in that anytime.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“And you would know so much about women, locked up in your castle."

"Locked up with eight wives. And sometimes I make house calls for my bargainers. There's many a lovely woman desperate enough to bargain with me."

This idea had never occurred to me before. "You touch another woman and I'll cut your hands off," I snapped.

He looked delighted. "I thought you were afraid of hurting me.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“Most of all, I wanted to forget my mission and lose myself in the embrace of the one person who had ever seen my heart and claimed to love me after.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“You were sent here to die. You were the one that was not needed, was not wanted, and they sent you here because they knew you would never come back.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“And he smiled the wild, vicious smile that had made me fall in love.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“Then he whispered— so softly I barely heard it— “Please stay.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“And that was how I ended up with the Gentle Lord in my bed, his head resting in my lap. He looked even younger when he slept— and since his eyes were closed, he looked human. I stroked his hair lightly; it was soft and silky as the fur of our old cat Penelope, and I wondered if he ever purred.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“He’s a monster,” I said. “Maybe I’m a monster to pity him. But I can’t leave him.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“He was my enemy. He was evil. He wasn’t even human. I should have been disgusted, but just like the last time, I couldn’t help myself any more than water could stop itself running downhill.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“But I can’t . . . I can’t leave anyone to the darkness.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“You will honor my mother or I will break this bottle over your head”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“I’m your wife! I burn for your touch! I thirst for your love!”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“You are entirely too pleased with your own sayings sometimes. I suppose you even have a quip prepared for your death?"
"Are you planning to find out?"
I trailed my fingers through his hair. His scalp was warm and dry beneath my fingertips. It startled me, as it still did sometimes, that he was solid and alive; that this wild, unnameable creature was not a phantom but sat still beneath my hand. That the demon who ruled all our world was mine.
"I don't know," I said. "Have you come up with any reasons why I shouldn't?"
He sat up straighter and kissed me. I leaned forward, kissing him back, until I lost my balance and we both tumbled to the ground, with me, landing on top of him.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty

“Of course he's evil and unforgivable." My voice felt like it was coming from the far end of a long tunnel. "But he is the only reason I ever honored Mother with a clean heart. And if I hadn't learnt to be kind with him, I would never have come back to beg your forgiveness and choose you over him. So gloat all you want-- you deserve to watch us both suffer-- but don't you dare say I will ever be free of him. Every kindness I show you, all the rest of your life, that's because of him. And no matter how many times I betray him, I will love him still.”
― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty