Isabelle Bruce

“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

“No matter the height of the mountain, the climbing is the same.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Did you manage to contact the refugees?” Inej asked, waving Nina over to the table and clearing a place for her to sit.
“Everything went smoothly,” said Nina. “Aside from breaking a few windows and nearly getting shot.”
Kaz looked up from the table, his interest secured.
“Big trouble in Little Ravka?” asked Jesper.
“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Nina said. “Please tell me there’s something to eat.”
“You’re hungry?” said Inej. They all goggled at Nina.
She curtsied. “Yes, yes, Nina Zenik is hungry. Now will someone feed me before I’m forced to cook one of you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Jesper. “You don’t know how to cook.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Sometimes, the only way to get justice is to take it for yourself.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom