Joeille

“You don’t have to call me that, you know,” she said, brushing her hair back from her shoulders. “There was a time when you called me Winter.”

He leaned his elbows on the enclosure wall. “There was also a time when I could come visit you without feeling like I was supposed to toss bread crumbs to earn your favor.”

“Bread crumbs? Do I look like a goose?”

He tilted his head to the side. “You don’t look like an arctic wolf, either, but that’s what the plaque tells me I’m looking at.”

Winter leaned back on her hands. “I will not play fetch,” she said, “but I might howl if you ask nicely.”

He grinned. “I’ve heard your howl. It’s not very wolf-like, either.”

“I’ve been practicing.”

“You won’t bite me if I come in there, will you?”

“I make no guarantees.”

Jacin hopped over the rail and came to sit beside her. She raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look like an arctic wolf, either.”

“I also don’t howl.” He considered. “Though I might play fetch, depending on the prize.”

“The prize is another game of fetch.”

“You drive a hard bargain.”
― Marissa Meyer, Winter

“Leaning forward, Cinder spoke very clearly. "I have a computer in my brain," she said. "So while I'm not going to tell you that I am the smartest or, by any means, the most experienced person in this room, I would suggest that no one use my youth to believe that I am also ignorant.”
― Marissa Meyer, Winter

“When she catches you," the guard snarled, "my queen will eat your heart with salt and pepper." "Well," said Cinder, unconcerned, "my heart is half synthetic, so it'll probably give her indigestion." Kinney looked almost amused.”
― Marissa Meyer, Winter

“You mean she doesn’t intend to blow me up before the ceremony?” said Kai, taking the box. “How disappointing.”
― Marissa Meyer, Winter