Emily

“It didn't seem right to cry while you prayed. It seemed selfish to talk to God in such misery.”
― A.C. Gaughen, Lady Thief

“He dragged me up. "You're bruised all to hell, your hand is broken, and can you even imagine how much more pain waits for you tonight?" he asked. "Why won't you just learn? Why must you make me keep hurting you?"

"I'm not making you do anything, Gisbourne. Hurt me if you want, but I've felt pain. I know what pain is. And it's less than love, than loyalty, than hope. You can make me cry, or scream, or whatever else. All that will mean is that I feel the pain, that I'm still alive. And as long as I'm living I can promise I'm not afraid of you, Gisbourne. I'm afraid of sitting quiet while people like you and Prince John going by unchecked. That's what I'm afraid of. I'm stronger than your damn pain, and I do not give up.”
― A.C. Gaughen, Lady Thief

“Dragons don't ask for maidens, he said. Dragons are offered maidens.

Alys shook her head to show she didn't understand.

Is a king likely to be a maiden? Or a village headman? It's the men who make the laws that decree that maidens be offered.”
― Vivian Vande Velde