Alison Goodman

“A man who lifts his chin in pride will fail to see the chasm at his feet.”

“It is also important to understand that a hidden nature is not always an evil nature”

“You have seen me at my worst and at my weakest. Let me show you my best.”

“You have forced your way into my Hua, Eona. Change me. First, by your power- then, just by who you are.”

“I know that love is about power, too. Who gives, who takes. Who is willing to risk showing their true self.”

“I felt something stir within me. It took a moment to recognise it. Anger.”

“Holy Shola.”

“"The She of the dragon will return and ascendWhen the cycle of twelve draws to an end...""The She of the Dragoneye will restore and defendWhen the Darkforce is mastered with Hua of All Men.”

“ Make it right.”

“You have less honour than a piece of shit.”

“And you are the girl's bitch, forever.”

“A cold realisation washed over me. From now on, my master would not always be there to protect and counsel me. 'This is big. Too big,' I said. 'What do I do?''You follow your destiny,' Ryoko said. 'As we all do. With honour and courage.”

“He grunted. 'You have the courage of a warrior.'I watched him turn away and gather the clothes from the ground. He thought me courageous? But I was terrified - always terrified.'No,' I said flatly. 'I don't."He paused from stuffing the invaluable robe between two bales. 'Are you frightened now?'I nodded, shame flushing my skin.'Is it going to stop you?''No.''That is the courage of a warrior.”

“Don't ask any questions and you won't hear any lies.”

“History does not care about the suffering of the individual. Only the outcome of their struggles.”

“Don't say anything. Just act cool," I whispered.Mavkel started to shiver."Like this?" it asked."No, I mean act calm."Mavkel stopped shivering.”

“It is not often that the real world conjures worse than what we can imagine.”

“Watching my father plan and strategize for the resistance has taught me about trust.” She leaned forward. “Personal trust is very different from political trust, my lady. The first thrives on faith. The second requires proof, whether it be upfront or covert.” Awkwardly, she patted my hand. “His Majesty has always been a powerful man. Perhaps he has never had to distinguish between the two.”

“Men were always quick to believe in the madness of women.”

“I have never heard a lady say 'arse,'" the emperor said mildly."I haven't been a lady for long," I reminded him. A little demon–made of exhaustion and the emperors smile– pushed me into adding,"For five years I've been saying 'arse.' It's hard to stop saying 'arse' after that many years. I suppose I should stop saying 'arse,' since ladies don't say-""'Arse'," he finished for me. I met his grin.”

“There was a saying that the strength of a man’s steel was only known under the hammer of circumstance. If anyone had asked me a few hours ago, I would have said that nearly five years of boyhood had hammered me into constant fear and excessive caution. But now I realised it had done the opposite. It had shaped me into someone who stepped forwards and reached for what she wanted. It was too late for me to tuck my hands behind my back and wait like a good woman.”

“You are wrong when you say there is no power in being a woman. When I think of my mother and the women in my tribe, and the hidden women in the harem, I know there are many types of power in this world...I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life? I don't think I could do it.”

“There was a saying that a man's true character was revealed in defeat. I thought it was also revealed in victory.”

“I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life.”

“A shrieking rise of power rushed into my pathways, rocking me against the wall. Ido's body slammed into mine. He was not going to let go. Not now. The Rat Dragon howled, his heavy blue force driven back by the onslaught of sinuous gold. Raw,rejoicing energy flooded my seven centers of power; opening,pushing, seeking. And behind it all, a presence exulting in the joy of release and reunion. I looked up and finally my mind-sight was clear. I could see the Mirror Dragon. My Dragon.”