Ruxanda

“Do you know what an inconvenience it is to need to find a place to relieve myself everywhere I go?'

A fizzing noise came from Cassian's side of the table, but I clamped my lips together. Mor gripped my knee beneath the table, her body shaking with the effort of keeping her laugh reined in.

Rhys drawled to Amren. 'Shall we start building public toilets for you throughout Velaris, Amren?'

'I mean it, Rhysand,' Amren snapped. I didn't dare meet Mor's stare. Or Cassian's. One look and I'd completely dissolve. Amren waved a hand down at herself. 'I should have selected a male form. At least you can whip it out and go wherever you like without having to worry about spilling on-'

Cassian lost it. Then Mor. Then me. And even Az, chuckling faintly.

'You really don't know how to pee?' Mor roared. 'After all this time?'

Amren seethed. 'I've seen animals-'

'Tell me you know how a toilet works,' Cassian burst out, slapping a broad hand on the table. 'Tell me you know that much.'

I clapped a hand over my mouth, as if it would push the laugh back in. Across the table, Rhys's eyes were brighter than stars, his mouth a quivering line as he tried and failed to remain serious.

'I know how to sit on a toilet,' Amren growled.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Frost and Starlight

“I suppose you think I should be thanking you, for stepping up to assist in reviving me.'

'I have no illusions that the day you thank me for anything, Rhysand, is the day the burning fires of hell go cold.'

'Poetic.'

A low snarl.

Too easy. It was far too easy to bait him, rile him. And though I reminded myself of the wall, of the peace we needed, I said, 'You saved my mate's life on several occasions. I will always be thankful for that.'

I knew the words found their mark. My mate.

Low. It was a low blow. I had everything- everything I'd wished for, dreamed of, begged the stars to grant me.

He had nothing. Had been given everything and squandered it. He didn't deserve my pity, my sympathy.

No, Tamlin deserved what he'd brought upon himself, this husk of a life.

He deserved every empty room, every snarl of thorns, every meal he had to hunt for himself.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Frost and Starlight

“Another rule of war, he told me. Knowing when to pick your battles could be equally as important as when you fought them.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“I wanted to see if you were worth helping,' the Carver went on. 'It's a rare person to face who they truly are and not run from it- not be broken by it. That's what the Ouroboros shows all who look into it: who they are, every despicable and unholy inch. Some gaze upon it and don't realise that the horror they're seeing is them- even as the terror of it drives them mad. Some swagger in and are shattered by the small, sorry creature they find instead. But you... Yes, rare indeed. I could risk leaving here for nothing less.'

Rage- blistering rage started to fill in the holes left by what I'd beheld in that mirror. 'You wanted to see if I was worthy?' That innocent people were worthy of being helped.

A nod. 'I did. And you are. And now I shall help you.'

I debated slamming the cell door in his face.

But I only said quietly, 'Good.' I walked over to him. And I was not afraid as I grabbed the Bone Carver's cold hand. 'Then let's begin.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin