Milly Read

“I didn’t come looking for an apology, Jesper. You have a weak spot. We all have weak spots.”
“What’s yours?”
“The company I keep,” she said with a slight smile.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“You’re not weak because you can’t read. You’re weak because you’re afraid of people seeing your weakness. You’re letting shame decide who you are. […] It’s shame that lines my pockets, shame that keeps the Barrel teeming with fools ready to put on a mask just so they can have what they want with none the wiser about it. We can endure all kinds of pain. It’s shame that eats men whole.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“This isn’t about romance. A proper kiss, a proper courtship. There’s a way these things should be done.”
“For proper thieves?” The corners of her beautiful mouth curled and for a moment he was afraid she would laugh at him, but she simply shook her head and drew even nearer. Her body was the barest breath from his now. The need to close that scrap of distance was maddening.
“The first day you showed up at my house for this proper courtship, I would have cornered you in the pantry,” she said. “But please, tell me more about Fjerdan girls.”
“They speak quietly. They don’t engage in flirtations with every single man they meet.”
“I flirt with the women too.”
“I think you’d flirt with a date palm if it would pay you any attention.”
“If I flirted with a plant, you can bet it would stand up and take notice. Are you jealous?”
“All the time.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Wylan’s grin broadened. His brow lifted. If that wasn’t an invitation …
“Well, hell,” Jesper muttered. He closed the distance between them and took Wylan’s face in his hands. He moved slowly, deliberately, kept the kiss quiet, the barest brush of his lips, giving Wylan the chance to pull away if he wanted to. But he didn’t. He drew closer.
(...)
He pulled back, dropped his hands, feeling unspeakably awkward. What did you say after a terrible kiss? He’d never had cause to wonder.
That was when he saw Kuwei standing in the doorway, mouth open, eyes wide and shocked.
“What?” Jesper asked. “Do the Shu not kiss before noon?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Kuwei said sourly.
Not Kuwei.
“Oh, Saints,” Jesper groaned. That wasn’t Kuwei in the doorway. It was Wylan Van Eck, budding demolitions expert and wayward rich kid. And that meant he’d just kissed …
The real Kuwei plunked that same listless note on the piano, grinning shamelessly up at him through thick black lashes.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom