Revealing her plans, explaining herself... It would take some getting used to. But she’d promised she’d try to be more... open about her plotting.
Don’t react,” Lucien said, forcing his gaze ahead, too, the metal eye going still and silent. “No matter what you feel or see, don’t react. Don’t look. Just stare ahead.” I started trembling, gripping the reins in my sweaty hands. I might have wondered if this was some kind of horrible joke, but Lucien’s face had gone so very, very pale. Our horses’ ears flattened against their heads, but they continued walking, as if they’d also understood Lucien’s command. And then I felt it.
Pathetic. Cowardly and pathetic. Truth is your gift. Truth is your curse.
Occupying the other half of the bedroom, my bathtub was actually a pool, hanging right off the mountain itself. A pool for soaking or enjoying myself. Its far edge seemed to disappear into nothing, the water flowing silently off the side and into the night beyond. A narrow ledge on the adjacent wall was lined with fat, guttering candles whose glow gilded the dark, glassy surface and wafting tendrils of steam.
You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot.” He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face, “Because I’d pick you” And then she kissed him.
I have to create, or it was all for nothing. I have to create, or I will crumple up with despair and never leave my bed. I have to create because I have no other way of voicing this.
She looked to the open window, to the world beyond. For the first time in a long while, she heard the song of a northern wind, calling he rhome, And she was not afraid.
Lucien sighed as he looked me over. “Do you ever stop being so serious and dull?” “Do you ever stop being such a prick?” I snapped back. Dead – really, truly, I should have been dead for that. But Lucien grinned at me. “Much better.” Alis, it seemed, had not been wrong.
Unfinished, graceless creatures of earth and blood.
And what of your idealism – what of that child who stole two hundred slaves from me? You’d leave the people of this island to perish?” “Yes,” she said simply. “I told you, Rolfe, that Endovier taught me some things.” Rolfe swore. “Do you think Sam would stand for this?” “Sam is dead,” she said, “because men like you and Arobynn have power. But Arobynn’s reign is now over.” She smiled at the darkening horizon. “Seems like yours might end rather soon as well.
What are you waiting for?” he said, the words near guttural. “Bastard,” she murmured, and kissed him. Her.
Despite being an occasional bastard, Lucien didn’t seem to mind my company, and he did most of the talking, which was fine; it left me to brood over the consequences of firing a single arrow.
Her only consolation was that most people from the kingdoms conquered by the king probably felt the same way. When he’d marched into Terrasen nine years ago, his invasion had been swift and brutal – so brutal that it made even Celaena sick to recall some of the atrocities that had been committed to secure his rule.
It helps no one and nothing to look back. We can only go on.
At least he’d listened to her last night. “Elentiya,” she choked out. “My name is Elentiya.” Her gut tightened. Thank the gods Rowan didn’t snort at the name. She might have eviscerated him – or tried to, at least – if he mocked the name Nehemia had given her.
Kill me. Please – please kill me. Roland – my name was Roland. Tell my – ” Then.
She must be a rare, staggering beauty to make you so faithful... She must be clever” -plunk- “and fascinating” -plunk- “and very, very talented... She must be the most wonderful person who ever existed.
Standing before me was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.
Her dearest friends are characters in books.
She was a beautiful wraith – and when she looked at him, it was like she didn’t even know who he was. Dorian.