Madalyn

“If he gets any more charming, men and women may start lying down in the street for the privilege of being stepped on by the new Ravkan King.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Ruin and Rising

“Somewhere on the skiff, I heard Nikolai talking, his voice husky and damaged by whatever dark thing had used him. I wanted to go to him, see his face, make sure he was alright. He must have broken bones after that fall. But I'd lost a lot of blood, and I found myself slipping away, my weary mind eager for oblivion.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Ruin and Rising

“Your heart is in your eyes, Your Highness,” murmured Tamar, wiping the sweat from her brow.
Tolya poked his twin in the arm with a sparring sword. “Tamar knows because that’s the way she looks at her wife.”
“I am free to look at my wife any which way I please.”
“But Zoya is not Nikolai’s wife.”
“I’m standing right here,” said Nikolai. “And there is nothing in my eyes except the never-ending dust you two kick up.”
He was glad to see his general. There was nothing out of the ordinary about that. Her presence brought a perfectly understandable relief, a feeling of calm that came with knowing that whatever the problem was, they would best it, that if one of them faltered, the other would be there to drag them along. That comfort was not something he could afford to get used to or rely
on, but he would enjoy it while he might. If only she weren’t wearing that damned blue ribbon again.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Rule of Wolves

“What is this?" I asked.
Nikolai dropped a lever, and we let loose a collective scream as the room shot upward, taking my stomach with it.
We jolted to a halt. My gut slammed back down to my shoes, and the gate slid open. Nikolai stepped out, doubled over with laughter. "I never tire of that.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Ruin and Rising