Micheline Ward

“What I feel? Like how I want to take your pain away and yet throttle you at the same moment? How your stupid dimples are infuriating, look for them every time you smile because I know that's a real smile. I don't know why I look forward to arguing with you, but I do. You're clever, and you are kinder than even you realise- even though I know you have earned the title of the Dark One. You are a puzzle I want to figure out, but at the same time, don't. And when I realised You have so many masks- so many layers, I kept wanting to peel them back, even though I fear it will only hurt more in the end.'

I shook my head as I curled my fingers around the collar of my tunic. 'I don't understand any of this. Like how do I want to stab you and kiss you at the same time? And I know you said that I deserve to be with someone who didn't kidnap me, or someone I don't want to stab-'

'Forget I said that,' he said, closer to me when I looked up. 'I have no idea what I was talking about. Maybe I didn't even say that.'

My lips twitched. 'You totally said that.'

'You're right. I did. Forget it.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

“There are people who do terrible things, but that doesn't always mean they're terrible people.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout

“It's exhausting always being right.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, A Shadow in the Ember

“Your heart, Poppy? It is a gift I do not deserve.' He placed his hands on my knees as he lifted his gaze to mine. 'But it is one I will protect until my dying breath. I don't know what that means.' He stopped, curling his fingers into the leggings, into my skin. 'Okay. Fuck. I do know what that means. It's why I'm in awe of everything you say or do- everything you are. It's why you're the first thing I think about when I wake and the last thought I have when I fall asleep, replacing everything else. It's why when I'm with you, I can be quiet. I can just be. You know what that means.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire