C.J. Redwine

“He pulls me to a stop in front of a stall selling steaming hot stew of beef an onions. "Two please.""It's too expensive," I whisper to him, even though I know he won't listen.he treats me one of his wide, gentle smiles, his dark eyes shining. "Who else am I going to spend my money on? I already know you won't let me buy you and of the pretty, frilly things girls your age like to have, and I'm not about to purchase another weapon to add to your collection.""Because I don't like pretty, frilly things. And there's nothing wrong with having a nice collection of weapons.”

“What's the use in being diplomatic? I'd rather just pull my weapon and wing it.”

“Nobody appreciates a woman with vinegar in her soul." ~ Melkin to Rachel”

“It’s probably my job to tell you life isn’t fair, but I figure you already know that. So instead, I’ll tell you that hope is precious, and you’re right not to give up.”

“I promised I will always protect you. You've been wounded badly because I've failed to keep that promise.[...]But I won´t fail you in this, Rachel. no matter what has happened. No matter what you've done. No matter what you will do. I will always love you. I swear it.”

“I lie sleepless long after Melkin takes the first watch and press my fingers to my lips as I remember Logan leaning in, his breath fanning my face, his eyes locked on my mouth. A delicious ache pulses through me. I feel like a stranger waking up in my own skin--aware of every inch. Heat runs through my veins, both exhilarating and terrifying.”

“I love how you still think if you tell me to do something, I'll just check my brain at the door and do it.”

“Besides, what do I know about being a wife? There are much more important qualities to have than a docile disposition.”

“His knives are nice. Mine is better.”

“I never thought it was fair that anatomy decided what my brain was fit for.”

“She stares at me, a tiny smile flitting across her lips, and the affection on her face makes me feel like the richest man in the world.”

“The courier of wolves the daughter the dance. Hopeless.Betrayal.Forbidden.Departure.”

“No matter what has happened. No matter what you've done. No matter what you will do. I will always love you. I swear it.”

“I'm no longer a daughter.No longer a granddaughter.No longer a girl with dreams. With hope.I'm a weapon, now.”

“Silent acquiescence in the face of tyranny is no better than outright agreement.”

“You're worth so much more than anything I can give you. If you can't believe that right now, believe in me.”

“...because on some basic, soul-deep level within me, he is the solid ground beneath my feet.”

“Please tell me you're not that stupid.Rachel to Melkin”

“I need you, Logan. Just you"I tighten my grip on her tunic. "Why?""Because I still love you." Her voice catches. "I never stopped. I thought I had. I wanted to. But somehow .. it's like a part of you lives inside the most important part of me, and I don't know how to separate the two." Tears spill over, tracing a glistening path down her cheeks. "I love you, Logan"Joy surges through me, brilliant and wild. I cup her face in my hands and wipe away her tears. "I love you too, Rachel. Always" And then I do my best to use the full hour I've been given to kiss her senseless.”

“I ache to hear her tell me she loves me, but forcing her to put words to how she feels pushes her further into the silence she seems comfortable calling home now. I tell myself to be patient and understanding, but inside there's a longing only those words will fill, and it hurts to ignore it.”