Mal’s Reviews > The Stolen Heir > Status Update

“And that is why you ought not dramatically vow to obey someone,” I say, a growl in my voice. “They seldom ask for what you hope they will.”

“And for a moment, I am viciously glad. It doesn’t feel good exactly, to be in danger, but it does feel good to be the cause of events rather than being swept along into them.”

“I was never less free than when I ruled.”

“It is tragic that she has only me to beseech. Does she not see my predator’s teeth? How afraid must she already be for me to seem like a possible ally?”

“ I am proud of my answer, which is both true and yet missing the most important detail. I am learning how to speak like them.”

“This is the problem with living by instinct. I don’t think.”

“The angry, feral part of me feels so close to the surface that I can almost scent its blood-clotted fur.”

“I don’t know what I want.” The words come out a whisper, too true by half.
“Destruction and ruin,” she says with a clack of her tongue. “I can practically smell it on you”

“And yet you would look so well with your hair whipping behind you,” Oak says. “Wild as the Folk of old.”