Isabella

“If the past could be changed,
it would not exist.
If the future could be stopped,
it would not survive.
If the present could be avoided,
it would not prevail.

Time is everyone’s acquaintance,
life is everyone’s friend,
death is everyone’s enemy,
and existence is everyone’s soulmate.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“No. It was time to stop talking about the “slavedays system” as if it were an abstract thing. Time to stop thinking of it as some historical hangover—a bad idea dreamed up centuries ago, which Britain was regrettably still stuck with. It was a group of people, right now, making a choice every single day to let all this continue.”
― Vic James, Tarnished City

“People claimed love was the supreme human experience. Silyen begged to differ. The greatest gift was wonder.”
― Vic James, Bright Ruin

“Keep it to hand. You’ll know when to use it. Now, how about something in exchange?’

Luke narrowed his eyes. You never just agreed to Silyen’s bargains.

‘A kiss for the hero who’s going to save everyone,’ the Equal said.

And Luke was halfway through laughing at him when Silyen’s hand went round the back of his skull and Luke found that he was kissing him instead. It was . . . startling. It was absolutely mortifying.

It was quite possibly the best thing ever.

He felt dizzy, and reached out to steady himself, one hand on Silyen’s shoulder, the other on the Equal’s hip, pulling him closer. Something coiled and fizzed inside his chest that had nothing to do with Skill. He heard himself groan and felt Silyen smile against his mouth.”
― Vic James, Bright Ruin