Lianna

“He told himself a story. Not at first. At first, there wasn’t time for thoughts that came in the shape of words. His head was blessedly empty of stories then. War was coming. It was upon him. Arin had been born in the year of the god of death, and he was finally glad of it. He surrendered himself to his god, who smiled and came close. Stories will get you killed, he murmured in Arin’s ear. Now, you just listen. Listen to me.”
― Marie Rutkoski, The Winner's Kiss

“You’re my best friend, Kenji. You know that, right?” “Yeah, kid.” He grins at me. “I do. And I can’t believe I got stuck with your skinny ass.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me

“A kingdom, or this”
― C.S. Pacat, Kings Rising

“With introductions out of the way, Erick got down to the business of having abducted me.
"Why were you asking Fink about the priest?"
"I have some sins to confess," I said. "For ruining the life of the last man to kidnap me.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The Runaway King