“Of course, it was impossible, in this company, not to think about balances of power. Raffin and Bann glanced at each other now and then, sharing silent agreement, teasing each other, or just resting their eyes on each other, as if each man was a comfortable resting place for the other. Prince Raffin, heir to the Middluns throne; Bann, who had no title, no fortune. How she longed to ask them questions that were too nosy for asking, even by her standards. How did they balance money matters? How did they make decisions? How did Bann cope with the expectation that Raffin marry and produce heirs? If Randa knew the truth about his son, would Bann be in danger? Did Bann ever resent Raffin’s wealth and importance? What was the balance of power in their bed?”

“If she was suggesting she was too wise with the weight of her experience to fall prey to infatuation - well, the disproof was sitting before her in the form of a gray-eyed prince with a thoughtful set to his mouth that she found quite distracting.”Fire, Kristin Cashore“If she was suggesting she was too wise with the weight of her experience to fall prey to infatuation - well, the disproof was sitting before her in the form of a gray-eyed prince with a thoughtful set to his mouth that she found quite distracting.”

“I’m bored to death. Perhaps I should pillage one of my neighbors for my own amusement. It seems to work for Drowden.”

“Would you please do me the honor of telling me WHAT THE BLAZES IS GOING ON?”

“King Drowden has given his men instructions to infiltrate the town, bribe townspeople for the secrets of their neighbors, steal the neighbors’ hidden treasures. Much more subtle than Drowden’s usual smash and burn technique. We do hope Drowden isn’t growing a brain.”

“That's interesting," Bitterblue said. "You think a conscience requires fear?”

“I don't understand your book. Isn't every book a book of words?”

“If we're to be judged by our parents and grandparents, then we all may as well impale ourselves upon bits of rock.”

“If we knew a person was going to die, we’d hold harder to the memories.”

“For most of the process, nothing but faith, fueled by your own stubbornness, will be pulling you along. The work that you've done on the book so far won't be much comfort, because so much of it will be insufferable crap, until the very last moment, when you figure out how to fix it and everything comes together.”

“Love doesn't measure that way... you may blame me for your feelings, but it isn't fair to blame me for how you've chosen to behave.”