thereadingbanshee

“I didn't feel a thing."
"My dear", he said gently. "Did you really think, after all this time, that I'd let it hurt?”
― Marianne Gordon, The Antlered King

“Are you afraid of the new faith, herbalist?" she asked quietly. "I'm afraid of any faith when it's wielded like a weapon." Hellevir met Sullivain's eyes. "Or like a dog on a leash".”
― Marianne Gordon, The Antlered King

“Shane took a deep breath. “Maltrevor is…not a good man. He might…attempt to take liberties.” Over the paladin’s shoulder, Marguerite saw Wren cover her eyes and turn away. “…Liberties,” said Marguerite, not quite certain she’d heard correctly. “Yes.” “Sexual liberties, you mean?” Shane, to give him what credit she could muster, met her eyes squarely. “Yes. I am sorry to say, it seems likely.” “Good heavens,” said Marguerite. “I was just going to suck his cock, then drug his wine, but if you think he might take liberties…” The paladin’s face became so expressionless that for a moment, Marguerite was afraid he might keel over in a dead faint. Wren sat down and put her face in her hands, shoulders shaking.”
― T. Kingfisher, Paladin's Faith

“I’m afraid I have not gotten over my resentment of him for saving me from the snow king’s court in Ljosland earlier this year, and have made a solemn vow to myself that I shall be the one to rescue him from whatever faerie trouble we next find ourselves in. Yes, I realize this is illogical, given that it requires Wendell to end up in some dire circumstance, which would ideally best be avoided, but there it is. I’m quite determined.”
― Heather Fawcett, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands