tia

“A kingdom, or this.”
― C.S. Pacat, Captive Prince

“Get down here before you’re recognized.”
“Playing hide-and-seek under the table? Crouching in the dirt? Typical of your kind, but far beneath my dignity.”
He laughs unsteadily, like he expects I am going to laugh, too. I don’t. I ball up my fist and punch him in the stomach, right where I know it will hurt. He staggers to his knees. The goblet drops to the dirt, making a hollow clanking sound. “Ow!” he shouts, and lets me tug him under the table.”
― Holly Black, The Cruel Prince

“What are you doing?" Damen's breath
was shaky.

"What am I doing? You are not very
observant."

"You're not yourself," said Damen. "And
even if you were, you don't do anything
without a dozen motives."

Laurent went very still, the soft words
half bitter. "Don't I? I must want
something.”
― S.U. Pacat, Captive Prince

“You really do want me,' I say, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath as it hitches. 'And you hate it.”
― Holly Black, The Cruel Prince