Niki

“I just—you haven’t been—” She managed a wobbly smile. “I just missed you teasing me.” He scowled. “You’re not supposed to like it. The idea is to annoy you.”
― Annette Marie, Dark Tempest

“I was … at the Tengu’s home.” When his eyes went wide with a mixture of horror and anger, she rushed on. “He’s not the best host, but he isn’t that bad. He brought food, but he wouldn’t get me a brush for my hair and he got mad when I asked for something else to wear. His crows wanted to eat me but he told them to leave me—” “His crows what?”
― Annette Marie, Dark Tempest

“I would have kept you forever, little miko." His words were soft, almost soundless. "I would have taken you with me wherever the tides of time carried us, and I would have loved you until the very end.”
― Annette Marie, Immortal Fire

“She stopped, a half-dozen paces still separating them. The frantic thudding of her heart filled her ears as she met his vacant crimson stare. “Don’t forget me, Shiro,” she said hoarsely. “You’re not allowed to forget me.”

He blinked slowly and something shifted in his gaze. His lips curved in his familiar crooked smile. “You’ll forget me someday, little miko.” His voice was even hoarser than hers, rough and coated in a hint of an animal growl.

“I’ll never forget you,” she told him. “I’ll remember you to my last day.”

“Do you promise?”

Her heart gave an odd little flutter. “Yes, I promise.”
― Annette Marie, Red Winter