“Look into my eyes and deny me.”

“I believe in looking reality straight in the eye and denying it. ”

“Sometimes you have to look reality in the eye, and deny it.”

“Look into my eyes and you will see me. Look into my heart and you will see yourself.”

“Lebedeva’s eyes shone. “Masha, listen to me. Cosmetics are an extension of the will. Why do you think all men paint themselves when they go to fight? When I paint my eyes to match my soup, it is not because I have nothing better to do than worry over trifles. It says, I belong here, and you will not deny me. When I streak my lips red as foxgloves, I say, Come here, male. I am your mate, and you will not deny me. When I pinch my cheeks and dust them with mother-of-pearl, I say, Death, keep off, I am your enemy, and you will not deny me. I say these things, and the world listens, Masha. Because my magic is as strong as an arm. I am never denied.”

“The her that lived in her looked out through her eyes, through my eyes, and at the me that lives in me.”