“All serious poker players try to minimize their tells, obviously. There are a couple ways to go about this. One is the robotic approch: where your face becomes a mask and your voice a monotone, at least while the hand is being played. . . . The other is the manic method, where you affect a whole bunch of tics, twitches, and expressions, and mix them up with a river of insane babble. The idea is to overwhelm your opponents with clues, so they can't sort out what's going on. This approach can be effective, but for normal people it's hard to pull off. (If you've spent part of your life in an institution, this method may come naturally.)”


“He who lies down with dogs shall rise with fleas”


“Alvin smiled back, and kissed her. "People talk about fools counting chickens before they hatch. That's nothing. We name them.”


“They call me Domino for obvious reasons. One nudge in the right direction and I'm flat on my stomach.”


“There you go. Perfect. And can you still throw up at will like you could in sixth grade? That would be good.”


“I pick up Dylan. He certainly takes after his father: about three-quarters of his body weight seems to be head, and three-quarters of that is ears.”


“Outrageous!" said Apalling."Apalling!" said Outrageous.”


“Wiping the rivulet of sweat running down my ear with the bottom of my muscle shirt, I snuck a sniff under my pit. Whoa. Kill a moose”


“. . . you worked for Harry King, they said, because a broken leg was bad for business, and Harry King was all about business.”


“It's not just the cheerleading thing I have a problem with, it's the whole jock enchilada. I'm all for a good game of basketball in teh driveway or a killer bike ride. But when there's tackling and grunting involved-- no thanks.”


“What are those bulb things you're slicing?""You've never seen fennel? It looks like celery and tastes like licorice.”


“Dana was what Steve called a "silent partner" in the Brixton Brothers Detective Agency. Being a silent partner meant that Dana didn't carry a business card, that his name didn't appear on the company letterhead, and he wanted nothing to do with the Brixton Brothers Detective Agency.”


“So what do you think the physical effect was?"Roman Laughed. "Buddy," he said, "she was tripping.”


“I've got a Don Baylor," J.T. said."California sucks this year."Ralph snickered. "I wouldn't use a Baylor card to scrape dog shit off the street.”


“Una buena mentira piadosa es con frecuencia mucho más excitante que una verdad. Es como si se pusiera a la verdad un vestido bonito.”


“On the forest floor was the LVR's smoldering ceiling panel, just lying there like the lid of a sardine can that had been eagerly and violently thrown away by someone who very much liked sardines.”


“I helped with customers who raced through the front door in a mad search for the perfect gift. One that looked as if they'd put hours of thought into their choice. And yes, you're right. They were mostly men." -- Abby Shaw, Sucker Punched”


“Supplementing the far, remote Glory-of-God expression in his face, the glory-of-doughnuts shone suddenly very warmly.”


“Sei: The Kudzu snacks were so good I had two and a half bowls but seeing you eat 16 and a half bowls was disgusting. I sriously considered killing you.Okita: You're horrible! Besides then I'd bleed Kudzu snacks!Sei: NOO! STOP!!! I CAN SEE IT!! I'LL HAVE NIGHTMARES!!”


“Nessa held her arm up. She was staring at it, trying to gauge how big that was. “Dude, that’s as big as my arm. That’s like being f****d by a limb dude!” She wiggled her arm back and forth. “That's not normal.”


“In sum," Midlife said, giving the room his best you-the-jury baritone, "Our defense will be...?" He looked to Matt for the answer/"Blame the other guy," Matt said."Which other guy?""Yes.""Huh?""We blame whoever we can," Matt said. "The CFO, the COO, the C Choose-Your-Favorite-Two-Letter-Combination, the accounting firm, the banks, the board, the lower-level employees. We claim some of them are crooks. We claim some of them made honest mistakes that steamrolled.""Isn't that contradictory?" Midlife asked, folding his hands and lowering his eyebrows. "Claiming both malice and mistakes?" He stopped, looked up, smiled, nodded. Malice and mistakes. Midlife liked the way that sounded."We're looking to confuse," Matt said. "You blame enough people, nothing sticks. The jury end up knowing something went wrong but you don't know where to place the blame. We throw facts and figures at them. We bring up every possible mistake, every uncrossed t and dotted i. We act like discrepancy is a huge deal, even if it's not. We are skeptical of EVERYONE.”


“First draft blues:"He tested the stick and glanced at the set handbrake. With his feet he felt the accelerator, the brake, the clutch. Backwards, but otherwise just the same, and comforting in a solid, mechanical way. It even smelled right, oil, petrol, lubricated warm metal, and the polished windshield seemed transparent in the night’s silver flood.”


“Let's just stand still. Maybe whoever it is won't notice us. It's dark out anyway." Both boys knew it could just be someone from the local village but their hearts were starting to beat faster anyways. Who wound be out at this time of night? Suddenly, out from the darkness came a voice. "I'll get you you mangy little...." There was the sound of something flying through the air and then a plunk as it landed somewhere nearby. Lionel winced. The voice was female.”


“Could I pick some flowers for Miranda?’ I asked.‘You cannot take these flowers,’ said Zoran. ‘They belong to the government.”


“We walked on the moon. We made footprints somewhere no one else had ever made footprints, and unless someone comes and rubs them out, those footprints will be there forever because there’s no wind.”


“In school we chanted, along with our teacher, I am the Captain of my fate, I am the Master of my soul, and meanwhile, within my own body, an anarchic insurrection had been launched by one of my privates- which I was helpless to put down!”


“Surely my lord will not hide his beautiful white legs!" exclaimed Infadoos regretfully. But Good persisted, and once only did the Kukuana people get the chance of seeing his beautiful legs again. Good is a very modest man. Henceforward they had to satisfy their aesthetic longings with his one whisker, his transparent eye, and his movable teeth.”


“Have I come at a bad time?" she managed to say without guffawing. I believe I said something on the order of "argh," and compounded my embarrassment by trying to cover myself with the sweatpants I'd picked up off the floor. ”


“His accelerated path to yogihood hit a dead end when his kundalini exploded in a crowded department store. No one else was injured, but Swami caught an inflection which left him with a permanent East Indian accent.”


“He studied with the guru of rock n’ roll, Baba Oom Mow Mow, who taught his own version of the Golden Rule: "Do wop unto others as you would have them do wop unto you.”


“Bad writing, it is easily verified, has never kept scholarship from being published.”


“But though it had prevailed against such fierce adversaries as fire and flood, it had fallen victim softly and swiftly to television in the 1960's.”


“What I remember most clearly is how it felt. I’d just finished painting a red fire engine-like the one I often walked past near my grandparents’ house. Suddenly the teachers, whose names I've long forgotten, closed in on my desk. They seemed unusually impressed, and my still dripping fire engine was immediately and ceremoniously pinned up. I don’t know what they might have said, but their unexpected attention and having something I’d made given a place of honor on the wall created an overwhelming and totally unfamiliar sense of pride inside me. I loved that feeling, and I wanted to feel it again and again. That desire, I suppose, was the beginning of my career. 	I have no idea where my fire engine painting ended up, but I never forgot the basic layout. Several decades later, it served as the inspiration for this sketch for an illustration in a book called Why the chicken crossed the Road.”


“You are my flesh and blood and I have always doted on you, but right now I would have to say you deserve a haughty, ruined chit for your own and she deserves you.”


“boys, girls and music . . why do they need gin?”


“I'll get it," said Jough in his man-of-the-house voice, a full octave lower than his regular voice.”


“I can't go into a long explanation before company; but I couldn't help it, upon my honour."Upon your what?" growled Sikes, with excessive disgust. "Here! Cut me off a piece of that pie, one of you boys,to take the taste of that out of my mouth, or it'll choke me dead.”


“Why look'e, young gentleman," said Toby, "when a man keeps himself so very ex-clusive as I have done, and by that means has a snug house over his head with nobody a-prying and smelling about it, it's rather a starling thing to have the honour of a wisit from a young gentleman (however respectable and pleasant a person he may be to play cards with at conweniency) circumstanced as you are.”


“Wer lügt, hat die Wahrheit immerhin gedacht.”


“Umgangsformen sind Formen, die zunehmend umgangen werden.”


“Drab?" Soldier yelled. "I'll give you drab. Beat her, would you? Beat my wife? I'll feed your head to the vultures, you snotty little hamster with your golden pelt and buttery looks!”


“So close now, Alec could read the make on his wetsuit, see the individual grains of sand that dustedthe black material, the drops of water trembling on the points of his hair. Now or never. But Alec couldn‟t,couldn’t. Could he?He stood up. “Stop!” His mouth dried out as the surfer‟s dark, dark green eyes looked into his, startledand curious. Suddenly he felt an absolute fool. He was inviting a good kicking, at least. But damn it, a mancouldn‟t always be afraid.“Don‟t go past. Please. Sit down and drink with me. If you go past… If you go past, I think I‟ll die.”


“Nana's French knickers were surely a symbol of liberty and abandonment, worn only by women who didn't care for conventional frills or superficial nametags. Those french knickers were flags blowing in the wind, like a statement of victory.”


“She smirked. 'I vaguely recall you boasting weeks ago that I would be the one to crawl into your bed. It seems like you did the crawling.'His lips twitched upward. 'It would seem so.”


“This is a bad idea.'Cassian winked. 'That should be written on the Night Court crest.”


“Will I be OK?" Krista gives a derisive laugh and swivels to face me. "I've built up a business and I've turned off my mum's life-support machine and I've punched a shark in the face. I think I can cope with this.”


“Nadia holds her small fist out in my direction. “Princesses fist bump.”


“Person a: Go to hell.Person b: Save me the seat beside you.”


“I've been told the truth can hurt, [and] it must sting to know how much prettier I am than you.”


“After you've heard two eyewitness accounts of an auto accident, it makes you wonder about history.”


“If you were to name a sword, what would you call it?'Gwyn answered, thought she hadn't been asked, 'Silver Majesty.'Emerie snorted, 'Really?'Gwyn demanded, 'What would you call it?'Emerie considered. 'Foe Slayer, or something. Something intimidating.''That's no better!'Nesta's mouth tugged upward at their teasing. Gwyn looked to her, teal eyes bright. 'Which one is worse: Foe Slayer or Silver Majesty?''Silver Majesty,' Nesta said, and Emerie crowed with triumph. Gwyn waved a hand, booing.'What would you call it?' Cassian asked Nesta again.'Why do you want to know?''Humour me.'She lifted a brow. But then said with all sincerity. 'Killer.'His brows flattened.Nesta shrugged. 'I don't know. Is it necessary to name a sword?''Just tell me: If you had to name a sword, what would you call it?''Are you getting her one as a Winter Solstice present?' Emerie asked.'No.'Nesta hid her smile. She loved this- when the three of them ganged up on him, like lionesses around a very muscled, very attractive carcass.'Then why keep asking?' Gwyn said.Cassian scowled, 'Curiosity.'But his jaw tightened. It wasn't that. There was something else. Why would he want her to name a sword?”


“The Shake make the most extraordinary combs,’ Kindly said. ‘Turtleshell.’ ‘Impressive, sir.’ ‘Expensive purchases, but well worth it, I should judge.’ ‘Yes sir. Tried them yet?’ ‘Lieutenant, do you imagine that to be amusing?’ ‘Sir? No, of course not!’ ‘Because, as is readily apparent, Lieutenant, your commanding officer has very little hair.’ ‘If by that you mean on your head, then yes sir, that is, uh, apparent indeed.’ ‘Am I infested with lice, then, that I might need to use a comb elsewhere on my body, Lieutenant?’ ‘I wouldn’t know, sir. I mean, of course not.”


“The four guys were just staring at me—or Rome—their mouths a little unhinged.“Did she say that she set a building on fire?” Yael rasped.“And knocked someone out and stuffed them into a cupboard?” Aros, this time.“And set a bunch of panteras free.” Coen was scratching his head.“That’s my girl.” Siret was the only one who seemed pleased by my overload of information.“Rome is messing with us.” Yael was shaking his head. “This is too fucked-up.”“I’m not.” I tried to sound as convincing as possible, but Yael only shook his head and stepped closer to Rome, his fists clenched.“Cut this shit out right now,” he seethed, “or I’ll hit you so hard she’ll have to start calling you Crushed.”“That’s not very nice—” I started to say, but apparently Yael wasn’t in the mood for pacifications.He pulled his arm back and slammed it into the side of Rome’s face. I couldn’t feel the actual blow, but my vision swam to the side, and then suddenly I was staring at the sky—I hadn’t paid much attention to where we were, but the sky was bluer than blue, the clouds all happy and perfect. They were still in Topia.“You hit me!” I yelled at the sky, and it was almost humorous to hear Rome’s deep voice so full of feminine outrage.“Oh.” Yael sounded genuinely shocked. “It really is her. Rome just dropped like a bag of rocks.”“He’s still not moving,” Coen noted, his head appearing in my field of vision. “You okay in there, dweller-baby?”“He hit me!” I repeated.“I think she’s fine.” Yael’s head appeared beside Coen’s. “Rome’s head is too damn thick for any of the pain to reach her—right, Willa-toy?”“You still hit me!” This time, it was a growl, and Siret’s head popped up beside Yael’s.“You should get revenge,” he suggested helpfully. “You have so many muscles right now. You’re the God of Strength right now. The possibilities are endless.”“No they aren’t,” I said, “Rome is going to wake up soon. I don’t always black out for long. But you have a point.”I struggled to get back to my feet, but controlling Rome wasn’t so easy. His limbs were bigger than expected, and I accidently knocked over a low wooden table, up-ending a bowl of fruit and sending apples and oranges scattering over the marble floor. When I was finally standing, I focussed on Yael, and tried to swing a punch at him. Unfortunately, I miscalculated the distance to his face, and Rome’s fist connected with the pillar just to the right of Yael’s head. I watched in fascination as the stone cracked beneath Rome’s fist, caving in around his hand. I was so fascinated that I didn’t even realise I was stuck until I tried to pull his fist back again and it wouldn’t budge.“Well … this is awkward.” Yael was smirking, turned to the side so that he could see the fist I had embedded into the pillar.”


“She'd selected a dagger and he'd grinned. Pointy end goes into your enemy.”


“Cassian smirked. 'She has two Illyrian warriors guarding her. What could go wrong?''Don't answer that,' Rhys said drily to his mate.”


“Just don't go running after a beautiful white horse or a pretty-faced young man and you'll be fine.''And stay out of the water,' Azriel added solemnly.'What if the Mask is in the water?' She gestured to the vast bog. They'd fly over it, they'd decided, and let her sense whatever lay here.'Then Az and I will draw straws like the tough warriors we are and the loser goes in.'Azriel rolled his eyes, but chuckled. Cassian's grin at last glowed in his gaze as he opened his arms. 'Oorid's beauty awaits, my lady.”


“He was the kind of god you prayed to for making water wet and fire hot, or for keeping giants out of a land where nobody has seen a giant for a thousand years. He was good at the easy things.”


“...three lotuses and two king’s heads complete with long-haired mustachioed King Kalith at his mustachiest”


“Men love a woman who doesn’t seem to give a damn, so long as she’s handsome. We also love a happy woman, so long as she’s fair, or a sad pretty one, or an angry girleen with a good face. You see how this works.”


“She searched brown magic for any possible meaning besides juvenile scatology. Finding none, she closed her eyes and shook her head in disappointment.It wouldn’t be the last time.”


“He who leaps at the moonInto cowshyte falls.Glory unto cowshyte!”


“Considering that Nesta brushed off Helion's smouldering advances during the war, he might not be so inclined to help her.''He'll help,' Rhys said, stars shimmering in his gaze. 'If only for another shot at her.'Nesta rolled her eyes, and the gesture was so normal that Cassian's smile became more genuine, edged now with relief.You wear your heart for all to see, brother, Rhys said without turning Cassian's way.Cassian only shrugged. He was past caring.”


“All right. Let Lady Death get some rest.''That's not funny,' Nesta hissed.Cassian winked, even as the others tensed. 'I think it's catchy.Nesta glowered.”


“Seeing Cassian so flustered pushed away the shadows in her heart. Thoughts of the Mask became a distant rumble. 'Do you want to get in?'He sucked in a breath, but something like pain washed over his features. 'You're hurt.'...'Do I look injured to you?'He nodded toward the scabbed cuts all over her body, her face. 'Yes?”


“Don’t take too much from her. We’re criminals, not bad people.”


“It has been said that I write with some of the best reasoning to ever grace the all-encompassing page that is mankind. Who said that, you ask? I did, of course.”


“This is the part where we should have exchanged glances (from what I had gathered from my limited literature recollection, it added dramatic flair), but I was too intrigued by the staircase, and where it led, to look anywhere else.”


“First time fucking driving and I fucking crash,” I muttered."Good thing is, it’s a minor dent,” piped the helpful back seat, “Mum probably won’t even notice it, her eyes as they are and all.” “Thanks man. Makes me feel good about myself, taking advantage of your blind mom.”


“Seriously man, shut it.” “Alright, alright. You’re the driver,” He raised his chip bag in toast, “My life is in your hands.”


“Jay?” I was shaken out of my memory. I think my dignified response went something like “Mmfh?”


“Seatbelts?” I said. She clicked hers in. “Yes, old man.” “Hey, safety first.”


“Let’s just pause there for a moment. Ever seen a movie where everything moves in slow motion during an action scene? As if, for the character, it actually feels that way? Gives them time to think, to act, to look cool. Take my situation, take what I just told you, and the exact opposite is true. It moved really fast. I did not think. I probably didn’t look very cool.”


“Marg muttered something under her breath. It was either “Who does he think he is?” or “I hope he has no kids.” Weird that I’d mix the two of those up.You’re right. It was probably the sec…first one. First one.”


“He turned to me. “All he needs is you buddy.”I nodded, steeling myself. “Sometimes what you need is not what you should want.”A lopsided grin was my response. “You can philosophize, or you can come with me.”


“You know, it’s crazy what a little perspective can do to your life. For example…cotton candy is not as great as everyone makes it out to be. It’s better.”


“I was so caught up in my thoughts I did not notice the wire till I got caught up in it. Right. Of course. Tomato patch. Those poor fruits. Or vegetables. Those poor fruitables. Those poor veguits. I have too much time on my hands.”


“The Council requests your presence.”“Well I require breakfast.”


“Tehol wiped sweat from his brow. ‘Give me some of that hen tea, will you?’ ‘With or without?’ ‘With or without what?’ ‘Feathers.’ ‘That depends. Are they clean feathers?’ ‘They are now,’ Bugg replied. ‘All right, then, since I can’t think of anything more absurd. With.’ Bugg reached for a clay cup. ‘I knew I could count on you, Master.”


“Helion, High Lord of the Day Court, arrived at the Hewn City the next afternoon on a flying horse.He'd wanted to enter the dark city in a golden chariot led by four snow-white horses with manes of golden fire, Rhys had told Cassian, but Rhys had forbidden the chariot and horses, and let Helion know that he could winnow in or not come at all.Hence the pegasus. Helion's idea of a compromise.Cassian had heard the rumours of Helion's rage pegasuses. Myth claimed his prized stallion had flown so high the sun had scorched him black, but beholding the beast now... Well, Cassian might have been envious, if he didn't have wings himself.”


“Where's my beautiful Mor?'Az said tightly, 'Away.''Pity. She's far nicer to look at than either of you.'Cassian rolled his eyes.”


“Can you show Nesta how to ward it herself? Something perhaps with a bit more... oomph?''Oomph?' Rhys asked, lifting an eyebrow.'Oomph,' Feyre said, throwing him a glare. 'We can't all be silver-tongued like you.'Rhys winked. 'Good thing you benefit from it, Feyre darling.”


“What are you thinking about?' Helion drawled as they approached a shut wooden door.Cassian straightened. He hadn't realised his thoughts had dragged such a scent from him. He grinned. 'Your mother.'Helion chuckled. 'I always forget how much I like you.''Happy to remind you.' Cassian winked.”


“Found the rum, did you?’ Lutes said from behind her, ‘She’s poisoning her liver.’ ‘My liver’s fine, soldier. Just needs a squeezing out.’ ‘Squeezing out?’ She turned round and glared at the squad healer. ‘I seen livers before, Cutter. Big sponges full of blood. Tumbles out when you cut someone open.’ ‘Sounds more like a lung, Sergeant. The liver’s this flat thing, muddy brown or purple—”


“We'll do the warm-up, and then we're moving into some core work.'She gaped. Her... core?'Abdominals,' he clarified, and pink washed across his face. He cleared his throat. 'Filthy mind.' He flicked her cheek. 'Too much smut.”


“You're going to make me look like that?'His low laugh rippled over her body. 'No one can look like this but me, Nes.'Arrogant ass.'Rhysand and Azriel do,' she said sweetly.'I've got one or two muscles on them.''I don't see it.'He winked. 'Maybe they're in other places.'She couldn't help it. Couldn't stop it. Not the flash of desire, but the smile that overtook her face. She huffed a laugh.Cassian stared like he hadn't seen her before.His shock was enough that Nesta dropped her smile.”


“Miss Vesper Holly has the digestive talents of a goat and the mind of a chess master. She is familiar with half a dozen languages and can swear fluently in all of them.”


“I had no idea punching was so fraught with peril.''Apparently, it takes brains to be a brute.”


“I can't be perfect every moment of every day, Nes." His eyes flickered”


“So those abdominal exercises are useful beyond wanting to show off your muscles?'He threw her a wry grin. 'You really think this is just for show?''I think I've caught you looking at yourself in that mirror at least a dozen times each lesson.' Nesta nodded to the slender mirror across the ring.He chuckled. 'Liar. You use that mirror to watch me when you think I'm not paying attention.”


“You're an arrogant bastard.''And you're a haughty witch. We're evenly matched.”


“Did something happen that I, as your chaperone, should know about?”


“Junior huffed. "The point is, this rope is even better! I call it Andskoti, the Adversary. It is woven with the most powerful paradoxes in the Nine Worlds Wi-Fi with no lag, a politician's sincerity, a printer that prints, healthy deep-fried food, and an interesting grammar lecture!""Okay, yeah," I admitted. "Those things don't exist.”


“Cassian grinned and said to Azriel, 'We're going to be uncles.'Feyre groaned. 'Mother help this child.'Azriel's own grin bloomed at that, but Feyre's gaze slid to Nesta.Nesta said quietly to her sister, 'Congratulations.'For she'd said nothing, had only been able to stand and watch them all, their joy and closeness, as if she were looking in through a window.But Feyre offered her a tentative smile. 'Thank you. You'll be an aunt, you know.''Gods help this child indeed,' Cassian muttered, and Nesta glared at him.”


“Also, I'm Malcolm." He smiled. "So now I'm a stranger no more.""I know Beyoncé's name," said Alby. "And she's still a stranger to me.”


“The disk, of Swiss manufacture, unfolded into a tent whose vast interior defied belief; Less was fascinated by its pockets, air vents, rain flies; its stitching, netting, and circular Guggenheim ceiling. But, like the Swiss, it was neutral; it did not love him back”


“You're drooling,' Cassian said to her, and Nesta went rigid.'If there was anything enticing,' she hissed, entering the ring, 'it was seeing Azriel punch your face.'Cassian motioned for her to get into her fighting stance. 'Keep telling yourself that, Nes.”


“Stop looking so nervous,' Cassian muttered out of the corner of his mouth.'I'm not nervous,' Nesta muttered back, even as she bounced on her feet, trying not to stare toward the open archway as the clock ticked toward nine.'Just relax.' He straightened his jacket.'You're the one fidgeting,' she hissed.'Because you're making me fidget.”


“I grew up in a country of over a billion people. The first uncomfortable question I asked my parents was not where children came from, but why were there so many of them.”


“I have an appointment,' Nesta said, levelling a cool glance at him. She sniffed at the male. Her nose crinkled. 'And you seem to need an appointment with a bath.'He turned fully to her, muscled shoulders pushing back. Even with the glazed expression, ire boiled in his stare. 'Do you know who I am?''A drunk fool wasting my time,' Nesta said. Two Siphons- a blue darker than Azriel's- sat atop the backs of his large hands. 'Get out.”


“Do yourself a favour and get out.'Bellius rose to his full height, wings flaring. 'Or what?'Nesta picked at her nails. 'I don't think you want to find out the or what part.”


“I guess he's used to flexing his dick and getting what he wants. Mum's dick is more impressive.”


“Steps scuffed down the hall. A warning. From someone who knew how to remain silent....Cassian had just finished setting himself to rights when Azriel strode in.'Good evening,' his brother said with a grating level of calm, striding toward the table.'Az.' Cassian wasn't able to keep the bite out of his tone. He met his brother's too-aware stare and silently conveyed every bit of annoyance he felt at his timing. Azriel only shrugged, surveying the food the House had brought him. As if he knew exactly what he'd interrupted and took his chaperone duties very seriously.Nesta was watching them, but as soon as Cassian turned to her, she launched into movement, pushing off the table and aiming for the door. 'Good night.' She didn't wait for him to respond before she was gone.Cassian levelled a glare at Az. 'Thanks for that.''I don't know what you're talking about,' Az said, even as he smiled down at his food.'Asshole.'Az chuckled. 'Don't show your hand all at once, Cass.''What's that supposed to mean?'Az nodded toward the doorway. 'Save something for later.''Busybody.”


“Was this mark in the service of a magus?”“Yes.” She frowned. “My master, Warlord Grimore, does all he can to oppose the magus plague.”“Grimore, you say?” Troy’s gaze slid over to me. “I thought you called her companion.”“She is.”She tensed at Troy’s tone. “I misspoke. Grimore is my former master. Master Whispier is now my master.”“Companion,” I corrected. She lifted her face and met my gaze across the table. “You are my companion, and I am yours. We are equals in this bond.”The depths of her dark eyes flashed with sudden, intense emotion. Troy moved to speak, but I lifted my hand to stop him. “You wish to say something, Avril?”“There is nothing equal about our bond. I agreed to spend time in your presence. What have I received in return?”“Safety, security, food, rest—”“And no freedom.”“Hardly. You can come and go as you please. Just return by nightfall.” I purposefully picked up my glass with a careful movement. “I told you that you were free to do anything short of attacking me.”A biscuit bounced off my head with such force that it rebounded across the room and struck the far wall.”


“I don't know what the two of you have been doing in this House, but it reeks of sex.Cassian snorted. A polite male never tells.Rhys's laughter rumbled in his mind. I don't think you know what the word polite means.Thanks the gods for that.His brother laughed again. I old Az playing chaperone would be useless.”


“CALVIN:I don't WANNA take a bath!I don't WANNA take a bath! You can't make me!CALVIN (As mom carries him to the tub):Aghh! Leggo! Leggo!!No No No No No No No!Put me down!CALVIN (Now in the tub):I wish I was dead!I hate you all! I hate everything. AARRGGHHH!MOM (Dripping wet. Talking to her husband.):Whenever I hear about people trying to rediscover the "child within," I want to scream.”


“I was hanging on his back like a monkey... but like in a hot, sexy monkey kind of way."Everyone cringed.”


“You are the bestest! We can be friends now.""We weren't before?" I ask."I don't know what kind of friend would try to impale another friend. I mean, the deadly kind of impale, not the sexy kind.”


“Cassian slung an arm around Rhys's shoulders. 'Let's go get bloodied up.”


“I have no interest in bedding a male who looks like he's been in a tavern brawl,' she said onto his lips.'We can dim the lights.”


“My imps need no doors, sir, They go where I tell them. Through any crack, be it as narrow as a nun's or wide as your wife's.”


“Cassian said, 'I promise not to bite.'Nesta's upper lip curled back as she faced him. 'I suppose this was your idea-''It was,' he lied with a grin. 'We're going to have a wonderful time together.'They'd likely kill each other.”


“Azriel nodded at her. 'What happened to you?'She knew what he meant: the black eye that was finally fading. Her hands and chin had healed, along with the bruising on her body, but the black eye had turned greenish. By tomorrow morning, it'd be gone entirely. 'Nothing,' she said without looking at Cassian.'She fell down the stairs,' Cassian said, not looking at her, either.Azriel's silence was pointed before he asked, 'Did someone... push you?''Asshole,' Cassian growled.Nesta lifted her eyes from her plate enough to note the amusement in Azriel's gaze, even though no smile graced his sensuous mouth.Cassian went on, 'I told her earlier today: if she'd bother to train, she'd at least have bragging rights for the bruises.”


“Mom and Dad could've done it," he said. "They were grown-ups. We're just . . . tall children.”


“Be on your guard.''You sound like you're afraid of her.''I am.'Cassian blinked.Rhys lifted a brow. 'Why do you think I sent you to get her this morning?'Cassian shook his head, unable to help his laugh.”


“You need to get out in the practice ring more, brother,' Cassian told him, surveying his friend's powerful body. 'Don't want that mate of yours to find any soft bits.''She never finds any soft bits when I'm around her,' Rhys said, and Cassian laughed again.'Is Feyre going to kick your ass for what you said earlier?''I already told the servants to clear out for the rest of the day as soon as you take Nesta up to the House.''I think the servants hear you fighting plenty.' Indeed, Feyre had no hesitation when it came to telling Rhys that he'd stepped out of line.Rhys threw him a wicked smile. 'It's not the fighting I don't want them hearing.'Cassian grinned right back, even as something like jealousy tugged on his gut. He didn't begrudge them their happiness- not at all. There were plenty of times when he'd seen the joy on Rhys's face and have to walk away to keep from weeping, because his brother had waited for that love, earned it. Rhys had gone to the mat again and again to fight for that future with Feyre. For this.But sometimes, Cassian saw that mating ring, and the portrait behind the desk, and this house, and just... wanted.The clock chimed ten thirty, and Cassian rose. 'Enjoy your not-fighting.”


“You'll be staying in your old room.'As if she had any sort of claim on this place. On anywhere at all.He went on, 'My room's a level above that.''Why would I need to know that?' The words snapped out of her.He began walking toward the glass doors that led into the mountain's interior. 'In case you have a bad dream and need someone to read you a story,' he drawled, a half smile dancing on his face. 'Maybe one of those smutty books you like so much.”


“You have five minutes until we leave.'Nesta managed to step away. 'You're a brute.'He winked. 'Born and raised.'...'Don't ever put your hands on me again.''Noted.' His eyes still blazed.Her fingers curled once more. She selected her next words like throwing knives. 'If you think this training nonsense is going to result in your climbing into my bed, you're delusional.' She added with a slice of a smile. 'I'd rather let in a mangy street dog.''Oh, it's not going to result in me climbing into your bed.'Nesta snickered, victory achieved, and had reached the stairs when he crooned, 'You'll climb into mine.'She whirled toward him, foot still suspended midair. 'I'd rather not.'Cassian threw her a mocking smile. 'We'll see.'She fumbled for more of those sharp-edged words, for a sneer or a snarl, or anything, but his smile grew. 'You have three minutes to get ready now.”


“What's her business here?'Nesta gave him a secretive smile. 'Witchcraft.'She could have sworn Cassian muttered a plea to the Mother before he cut in.”


“It was nice to meet you, Nesta. Feyre speaks highly of you.Nesta turned away. 'No one likes a liar, Priestess.'She could have sworn a breath of amusement fluttered from beneath the female's hood.”


“A plate of food appeared, dumped unceremoniously onto the place mat. Even the House hated her.Nesta scowled at the red-stoned room. 'Wine.'None appeared. She lifted the glass before her. 'Wine.'Nothing. She tapped her nails on the table's smooth surface. 'Were you told to not give me wine?'Talking to a house: a new low.But as if in answer, the glass filled with water.Nesta snarled toward the open archway at her back. 'Funny.'...Nesta stood and aimed for the doorway. 'Keep your wine. I'll get my own.”


“Whatever it is you're doing, whatever it is you're looking into, I want in.''Why? And no.”


“So he'd waited. Counted the minutes.It had been worth it.Seeing her claw her way onto the landing, panting, hair curling with the sweat sliding down her face- completely worth his generally shit day.Nesta was still sprawled on the hall floor when she hissed, 'Whoever designed those stairs was a monster.''Would you believe that Rhys, Az, and I had to climb up and down them as punishment when we were boys?'Her eyes shimmered with temper- good. Better than the vacant ice.'Why?''Because we were young and stupid and testing boundaries with a High Lord who didn't understand practical jokes regarding public nudity.' He nodded toward the stairs. 'I got so dizzy on the hike down that I puked on Az. he then puked on Rhys, and Rhys puked all over himself. It was the height of summer, and by the time we made the trek back up, the heat was unbearable, we all reeked, and the scent of the vomit on the stairs had become horrific. We all puked again as we walked through it.'He could have sworn the corners of her mouth were trying to twitch upward.He didn't hold back his own grin at the memory. Even if they'd still had to hike back down and mop it all up.”


“Cassian asked, 'What stair did you make it to?''One hundred eleven.' Nesta didn't rise.'Pathetic.'Her fingers pushed into the floor, but her body didn't move. 'This stupid House wouldn't give me wine.''I figured that would be the only motivator to make you risk ten thousand stairs.'Her fingers dug into the stone floor once more.He threw her a crooked smile, glad for the distraction. 'You can't get up, can you?'Her arms strained, elbows buckling. 'Go fly into a boulder.'Cassian pushed off the wall and reached her in three strides. He wrapped his hands under her arms and hauled her up.She scowled at him the entire time. Glared at him some more when she swayed and he gripped her tighter, keeping her upright.'I knew you were out of shape,' he observed, stepping away when she'd proved she wasn't about to collapse, 'but a hundred steps? Really?''Two hundred, counting the ones up,' she grumbled.'Still pathetic.'She straightened her spine and raised her chin.Keep reaching out your hand.Cassian shrugged, turning toward the hall and the stairwell that would take him up to his rooms. 'If you get tired of being weak as a mewling kitten, come to training.' He glanced over a shoulder. Nesta still panted, her face flushed and furious. 'And participate.”


“Training is fantastic. Absolutely riveting.'Azriel's mouth curled up at the corner. 'I hope you're not giving my brother a hard time.'She set down her teacup. 'Is that a threat, Shadowsinger?'Cassian took a long drink from his own tea. Drained it to the dregs. Azriel said coolly, 'I don't need to resort to threats.' 'The shadows curled around him, snakes ready to strike.Nesta gave him a smile, holding his stare. 'Neither do I.”


“I want to train with him instead.'She could have sworn Cassian went still. Interesting.Azriel coughed into his tea.Cassian drummed his fingers on the table. 'I think you'll find that Az is even less forgiving that I am.''With that pretty face?' she crooned. 'I have a hard time believing that.'Azriel ducked his head, focusing on his food.'You want to train with Az,' Cassian said tightly. 'then go ahead.' He appeared thoughtful for a moment, his eyes lighting before he added, 'Though I doubt that you'll survive a lesson with him, when you can't manage to walk down a hundred stairs without being so sore the next morning that you're unable to get out of your chair.”


“Doesn't count when you use your hands to do most of the work.'Nesta schooled her face into utter disdain, even as a hiss rose inside her. 'I bet that isn't what you've been telling yourself at night.'Azriel's shoulders shook with silent laughter as Cassian set down his fork, his eyes gleaming with challenge.Cassian's voice dropped an octave. 'Is that what those smutty books teach you? That it's only at night?'It took a heartbeat for the words to settle. And she couldn't stop it, the heat that sprang to her face, her glance at his powerful hands. Even with Azriel now biting his lip to keep from laughing, she couldn't stop herself.Cassian said with a wicked smile, 'It could be anytime- dawn's first light, or when I'm bathing, or even after a long, hard day of practice.'She didn't miss the slight emphasis he put on long, hard.Nesta couldn't stop her toes from curling in her boots. But she said with a silent smile, striding for the doorway, refusing to let one bit of the discomfort in her sore legs show, 'Sounds like you have a lot of time on your hands, Cassian.”


“You two need a chaperone up here?'Yes. No. Yes. 'I thought you were the chaperone.'Az threw him a wicked smile. 'I'm not entirely sure I'm enough.'Cassian flipped him off.”


“The same bowl of pork-and-bean soup appeared on the table.She peered at the distant ceiling. 'I said I'm not hungry.'A spoon appeared alongside the bowl. And a napkin.'This is absolutely none of your business.'A glass of water thudded down next to the soup.Nesta crossed her arms, leaning back in the chair.”


“She'd already conversed with one stranger today, fulfilling her quota for basic decency. Being kind to a second one was beyond her.”


“Nesta ate until she couldn't fit another morsel into her body, helping herself to thirds of the soup. The House seemed more than happy to oblige her, and had even offered her a slice of double-chocolate cake to finish.'Is this Cassian-approved?' She picked up the fork and smiled at the moist, gleaming cake.'It certainly isn't,' he said from the doorway, and Nesta whirled, scowling. He nodded toward the cake. 'But eat up.'She put down the fork. 'What do you want?'Cassian surveyed the family library. 'Why are you eating in here?''Isn't it obvious?'His grin was a slash of white. 'The only thing that's obvious is that you're talking to yourself.''I'm talking to the House. Which is a considerable step up from talking to you.''It doesn't talk back.''Exactly.'He snorted. 'I walked into that one.' He stalked across the room, eyeing the cake she still didn't touch. 'Are you really... talking to the House?''Don't you talk to it?''No.''It listens to me,' she insisted. 'Of course it does. It's enchanted.''It even brought food down to the library unasked.'His brows rose. 'Why?''I don't know how your faerie magic works.''Did you... do anything to make it act that way?''If you're taking a page from Devlon's book and asking if I did any witchcraft, the answer is no.'Cassian chuckled. 'That's not what I meant, but fine. The House likes you. Congratulations.' She growled, and he leaned over to pick up the fork. She went stiff at his closeness, but he said nothing as he took a bite of the cake. He let out a hum of pleasure that traveled along her bones. And then took another bite.'That's supposed to be mine,' she groused, peering up at him as he continued to eat.'Then take it from me,' he said.”


“So, who won the fight?' Cassian asked the next morning as she sat on her rock and watched him go through his exercises.He hadn't asked at breakfast about the black eye and cut chin or how stiffly she'd moved. Neither had Mor upon her arrival. That the bruising and cuts remained at all told Nesta how bad the fall had been, but as High Fae, with her improved healing, they were already on the mend....'What fight?' She examined her mangled nails. Even with the... whatever it was she'd flung out to catch herself, her nails had cracked. She didn't let herself name what had come from within her, didn't let herself acknowledge it. By dawn, it had been strangled into submission.'The one between you and the stairs.'Nesta cut him a glare. 'I don't know what you're talking about.'Cassian began moving once more, drawing his sword and running through a series of movements that all seemed designed to hack a person in two. 'You know: three in the morning, you leave your room to get shit-faced drunk in town, and you're in such a rush to conquer the steps that you fall down a good thirty of them before you can stop yourself.'Had he seen the step? The handprint?She demanded. 'How do you know that?'He shrugged.'Are you watching me?' Before he could answer, she spat. 'You were watching and didn't come to help?'Cassian shrugged again. 'You stopped falling. If you'd kept at it, someone would have eventually come to catch you before you hit the bottom.'She hissed at him.He only grinned and beckoned with a hand. 'Want to join me?''I should push you down those stairs.'...'Well?' he demanded, an edge creeping into his voice. 'If you've got those glorious bruises, you might as well claim it came from training and not a pathetic tumble.”


“Politicians are like child services, he thinks. Ultimately useful, but a pain in the ass all the way there.”


“There should be Oscars for real life, and we should give them to all the people who are still married.”


“Nice clean cut," Santos said, and Louise almost said thank you but managed to stop herself.”


“Stop scratching,' Rhys said without looking at him as they strode through a blooming apple orchard. No wings to be seen today.Cassian lowered his hands from his chest. 'I can't help it if this place makes my skin crawl.'Rhys snorted, gesturing to one of the blooming trees above them, petals falling thick as snow. 'The feared general, felled by seasonal allergies.Cassian gave an unnecessarily loud sniffle, earning a full chuckle from Rhys.”


“The House had dinner waiting on her desk, along with a book. Apparently, it had noted her request for a book the other day and deemed The Great War too dull. The title of this one was suitably smutty. 'I didn't know you had dirty taste,' Nesta said wryly.The House only responded by running a bath.'Dinner, bath, and a book,' Nesta said aloud, shaking her head in something close to awe. 'It's perfect. Thank you.'The House said nothing, but when she stepped into her bathroom, she found that it wasn't an ordinary bath. The House had added an assortment of oils that smelled of rosemary and lavender. She breathed in the heady, beautiful scent and sighed.'I think you might be my only friend,' Nesta said, then groaned her way into the tub's welcoming warmth.The House was apparently so pleased by her words that as soon as she lay back, a tray appeared across the width of the tub. Laden with a massive piece of chocolate cake.”


“Kalam knelt beside Quick Ben, studied the man’s face for a moment, the slack expression, the closed eyes. Then he slapped the wizard. Hard. Quick Ben swore, then glared up at the assassin. ‘I should crush you like a bug, Kalam.’ ‘Right now, I think,’ he rumbled in reply, ‘a bug’s fart might blow you right off this ship, Quick.”


“The House had a taste for romance novels. Nesta stayed up later than she should have to finish the one it had left the day before, and when she returned to her room that evening, another was waiting.'Don't tell me you somehow read these?' She leafed through the volume on her nightstand.In answer, two more books thumped on the surface. Each one utterly filthy.Nesta let out a small chuckle. 'It must get awfully dull up here.'A third book plopped atop the others.Nesta laughed again, a rusty, hoarse sound. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed. A true, belly-deep laugh.Maybe before her mother had died. She'd certainly had nothing to laugh about once they'd fallen into poverty.Nesta nodded toward the desk. 'No dinner tonight?'Her bedroom door only swung open to reveal the dimly lit hallway.'I've had enough of him for one day.' She'd barely been able to speak to Cassian for the rest of their lesson, unable to stop thinking of how he'd put up a wall without her so much as saying a word, anticipating that she would go after him, assuming that she was so awful she couldn't have a normal conversation. That she'd mock him about his mother and their pain.'I'd rather stay here.'The door opened wider.Nesta sighed. Her stomach ached with hunger. 'You're as much a busybody as the rest of them,' she muttered, and aimed for the dining room.”


“How was the library?' he asked as she claimed the seat across from him.'Nothing tried to eat me today, so it was fine.'...He'd gone still, though. 'Something tried to eat you on another day?''Well, it didn't get close enough to try, but that was the general impression I received.'He blinked, his Siphons glowing. 'Tell me.”


“The book,' Nesta said, a bit breathlessly, 'is about...' Her nostrils flared and her eyes went a bit unfocused. 'A book.''Interesting,' Cassian murmured. 'Sounds great.”


“Just so you're aware,' Mor chirped from the other side, 'We do have to go soon.'...'We have thirty minutes,' he said with remarkable smoothness.'And it takes you two hours to get dressed,' Mor quipped through the door. A sly pause. 'And I'm not talking about Feyre.'...'Go terrorise someone else,' he called to Mor, rolling his neck as his wings vanished and he stalked for the bathing room. 'I need to primp.”


“Emerie had drifted a few feet away, her back straight, chin upraised.He'd seen Nesta in this particular pose, too. He called it her I Will Slay My Enemies post.Cassian had named about two dozen poses for Nesta at this point. Ranging from I Will Eat Your Eyes for Breakfast to I Don't Want Cassian to Know I'm Reading Smut. The latter was his particular favourite.”


“I don't know if I can do this.Rhys went quiet for a moment. Do you want me to come with you?To paint?I'd be an excellent nude model.I smiled, not caring that I was by myself in the street with countless people streaming past me. My hood concealed most of my face, anyway. You'll forgive me if I don't feel like sharing the glory that is you with anyone else.Perhaps I'll model for you later, then. A sensuous brush down the bond that had my blood heating. It's been a while since we had paint involved.The cabin and kitchen table flashed into my mind, and my mouth went a bit dry. Rogue.”


“We tested him—he’s innocent.”“They tied me to a bed,” James said”


“What the hell is that?'Cassian was grinning that next evening as he waved a hand toward the pile of pine boughs dumped on the ornate red rug in the centre of the foyer. 'Solstice decorations. Straight from the market.'Snow clung to his broad shoulders and dark hair, and his tan cheeks were flushed with cold. 'You call that a decoration?He smirked. 'A heap of pine in the middle of the floor is Night Court tradition.'I crossed my arms. 'Funny.''I'm serious.' I glared, and he laughed. 'It's for the mantels, the banister, and whatever else, smartass. Want to help?' He shrugged off his heavy coat, revealing a black jacket and shirt beneath, and hung it in the hall closet. I remained where I was and tapped my foot.'What?' he said, brows rising. It was rare to see Cassian in anything but his Illyrian leathers, but the clothes, while not as fine as anything Rhys or Mor usually favoured, suited him.'Dumping a bunch of trees at my feet is really how you say hello these days? A little time in that Illyrian camp and you forget all your manners.'Cassian was on me in a second, hoisting me off the ground to twirl me until I was going to be sick. I beat at his chest, cursing at him.Cassian set me down at last. 'What did you get me for Solstice?'I smacked his arm. 'A heaping pile of shut the hell up.' He laughed again, and I winked at him. 'Hot cocoa or wine?'Cassian curved a wing around me, turning us toward the cellar door. 'How many good bottles does little Rhysie have left?”


“Azriel straightened a sagging section of garland over the windowsill. 'It's almost like you two tried to make it as ugly as possible.'Cassian clutched at his heart. 'We take offense to that.'Azriel sighed at the ceiling.'Poor Az,' I said, pouring myself another glass. 'Wine will make you feel better.'He glared at me, then the bottle, then Cassian... and finally stormed across the room, took the bottle from my hand, and chugged the rest. Cassian grinned with delight.Mostly because Rhys drawled from the doorway, 'Well, at least now I know who's drinking all my good wine. Want another one, Az?'Azriel nearly spewed the wine into the fire, but maybe himself swallow and turn, red-faced, to Rhys. 'I would like to explain-'Rhys laughed, the rich sound bouncing off the carved oak moldings of the room. 'Five centuries, and you think I don't know that if my wine's gone, Cassian's usually behind it?'Cassian raised his glass in a salute.Rhys surveyed the room and chuckled. 'I can tell exactly which ones you two did, and which ones Azriel tried to fix before I got here.' Azriel was indeed now rubbing his temple. Rhys lifted a brow at me. 'I expected better from an artist.”


“Are you just going to hold that chicken all night?' Cassian asked me from the table.Scowling, I stomped towards him, plunking the platter onto the wooden surface. 'I spat in it,' I said sweetly.'Makes it all the more delicious,' Cassian crooned, smiling right back.”


“Azriel straightened a sagging section of garland over the windowsill. 'It's almost like you two tried to make it as ugly as possible.'Cassian clutched at his heart. 'We take offense to that.'Azriel sighed at the ceiling.'Poor Az,' I said, pouring myself another glass. 'Wine will make you feel better.'He glared at me, then the bottle, then Cassian... and finally stormed across the room, took the bottle from my hand, and chugged the rest. Cassian grinned with delight.Mostly because Rhys drawled from the doorway, 'Well, at least now I know who's drinking all my good wine. Want another one, Az?'Azriel nearly spewed the wine into the fire, but made himself swallow and turn, red-faced, to Rhys. 'I would like to explain-'Rhys laughed, the rich sound bouncing off the carved oak moldings of the room. 'Five centuries, and you think I don't know that if my wine's gone, Cassian's usually behind it?'Cassian raised his glass in a salute.Rhys surveyed the room and chuckled. 'I can tell exactly which ones you two did, and which ones Azriel tried to fix before I got here.' Azriel was indeed now rubbing his temple. Rhys lifted a brow at me. 'I expected better from an artist.”


“It’s a fact that men don’t need words, but women do. We have penises, after all. Who needs words when you have a penis? Whereas with women there are two breasts, which invites conversation, just as a good behind presents perfect punctuation, something every man knows . What’s wrong with the world? You ask a man and he says, ‘Don’t ask.’ Ask a woman and you’ll be dead of old age before she’s finished. Hah. Hah ha.”


“Pick on someone your own size, 'Cassian said to Amren, shoveling roast chicken into his mouth.'I'd feel bad for the mice,' Azriel muttered.Mor and Cassian howled...”


“Rhys kissed my brow. 'If someone propositions you, tell them we'll both be free in an hour.”


“What did you get Feyre?'I slid my hands into my pockets. 'This and that.''So, nothing.'I dragged a hand through my hair. 'Nothing. Any ideas?”


“I'm not afraid of them.''I know you're not.''I just- being near them, together...' She shoved her hands into her pockets. 'It's probably what it feels like for you to be around Tamlin.''If it's any consolation, cousin, I behaved rather poorly the other day.''Is he dead?''No.''Then I'd say you controlled yourself admirably.'I laughed. 'Bloodthirsty of you, Mor.'She shrugged, again watching the river. 'He deserves it.”


“A jigsaw puzzle?'Amren fitted a tiny piece into the section she'd been working on. 'Am I supposed to be doing something else during my Solstice holiday?”


“Good for the mind, but bad for the posture.''Good thing you have Varian to exercise with.'Amren laughed, the sound like a crow's caw. 'Good thing indeed.”


“You brought weapons to Solstice?' I asked, leaning against the door frame....Cassian shrugged, plopping onto the bed, which was better suited to a child than an Illyrian warrior. 'Some might be gifts.''And the rest?'Cassian toed off his boots and leaned against the headboard, folding his arms behind his head as his wings draped to the floor. 'The females bring their jewelry. I bring my weapons.''I know a few females in this house who might take offense to that.'Cassian offered me a wicked grin in response.”


“Jace was weak as he watched Devon get rejected throughout the night. He saw drinks damn near get tossed on dude, and he even got threatened a few times. Jace sat there on some chill shit though, sippin' and observing all the other fucked-upness going on around him. To his right were three fat chicks, all busting out their cheap outfits. To his left was a lame that looked like he was searching for Wi-Fi, probably so he could get on IG. Straight ahead was a table of rundown bitches in a huddle, sharing one drink between 'em, snapping pictures. And peppered throughout VIP were the dl dudes that were giving him just as much rhythm as the girls were. Ewww!”


“A present. Wrapped in black crepe paper and tied with silver thread. And beside it, smiling down at me, was Rhys.He'd propped his head on a fist, his wings draped across the bed behind him. 'Happy birthday, Feyre darling.'I groaned. 'How are you smiling after all that wine?''I didn't have a whole bottle to myself, that's how.”


“I want to draw you,' I said. 'As my birthday present to me.'His smile was positively feline.I added, flipping open my sketchbook and turning to the first page, 'You said once that nude would be best.'Rhys's eyes glowed, and a whisper of his power through the room had the curtains parting, flooding the space with midmorning sunshine. Showing every glorious naked inch of him sprawled across the bed, illuminating the faint reds and golds of his wings. 'Do your worst, Cursebreaker.”


“Please bring him back in one piece.''We'll take good care of him,' Cassian promised, wicked humour in his eyes.Even Azriel was still grinning as he said, 'If he can keep up.”


“They're having a snowball fight.'Another nod.'Three Illyrian warriors,' I said. 'The greatest Illyrian warriors. Are having a snowball fight.'Mor's eyes practically glowed with wicked delight. 'Since they were children.''They're over five hundred years old.”


“It's bad form to be at attention while in the birchin.”


“Az, this one's for you.'The shadowsinger's brows lifted, but his scarred hand extended to take the present.Elain turned from where she'd been spreaking to Nesta. 'Oh, that's from me.'Azriel's face didn't so much as shift at the words. Not even a smile as he opened the present and revealed-'I had Madja make it for me,' Elain explained. Azriel's brows narrowed at the mention of the family's preferred healer. 'It's a powder to mix in with any drink.'Silence.Elain bit her lip and then smiled sheepishly. 'It's for the headaches everyone always gives you. Since you rub your temples so often.'Silence again.Then Azriel tipped his head back and laughed.I'd never heard such a sound, deep and joyous. Cassian and Rhys joined him, the former grabbing the bottle from Azriel's hand and examining it. 'Brilliant, 'Cassian said.Elain smiled again, ducking her head.Azriel mastered himself enough to say, 'Thank you.' I'd never seen his hazel eyes so bright, the hues of green amid the brown and grey like veins of emerald. 'This will be invaluable.''Prick, ' Cassian said, but laughed again.”


“I don’t know!”“Tell me or I will not complete your customer service survey.”Pete gasped.”


“An atomic bomb went off in my chest. My vision of a calm summer, page-flipping in thebackyard disintegrated. Camp. Tons of people. Cheesy team building. With tons of people.-Andy and the Extroverts”


“A great elk lay dead on the long worktable in the centre of the dark space, the arrow through its throat illumined by the watery light leaking through the small windows. Blood pooled on the grey stone floor, its drip the only sound.The only sound as Tamlin sat in a chair before it. Staring at the felled beast.'Your dinner is leaking,' I told him by way of greeting, nodding toward the mess gathering on the floor.No reply. The High Lord of Spring didn't so much as up at me.”


“Accidents happen in the Rite, I'd only suggested when Cass's face had tightened with the news.We won't dishonour the Rite by tampering with it, was his only reply.Accidents happen in the skies all the time, then, Azriel had coolly countered.If the whelp wants to bust my balls, he can grow a pair himself and do it to my face, Cassian had growled, and that was that.”


“In spring, when his allergy to pollen became unbearable, he would cover his face with a gas mask (the British government had distributed them throughout the population at the start of the war), sowing panic among those who saw him pass and imagined an attack was imminent.”