ŷ������

“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.��
Brekker’s lips quirked. “I’ll just hire Matthias�� ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.��
“My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,�� Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“Have any of you wondered what I did with all the cash Pekka Rollins gave us?"
"Guns?" asked Jesper.
"Ships?" queried Inej.
"Bombs?" suggested Wylan.
"Political bribes?" offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. "This is where you tell us how awful we are," she whispered.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“You’re stupid about a lot of things, Wylan, but you are not stupid. And if I ever hear you call yourself a moron again, I’m going to tell Matthias you tried to kiss Nina. With tongue.��
Wylan wiped his nose on his sleeve. “He’ll never believe it.��
“Then I’ll tell Nina you tried to kiss Matthias. With tongue.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Nina might not be able to put you back, you know. Not without another dose of parem. You could be stuck like this.��
“Why does it matter?��
“I don’t know!�� Jesper said angrily. “Maybe I liked your stupid face.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“If only you could talk to girls in equations.��
There was a long silence, and then, eyes trained on the notch they’d created in the link, Wylan said, “Just girls?��
Jesper restrained a grin. “No. Not just girls.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“Wylan,�� Jesper said, giving him a little shake. “Maybe your tutors didn’t cover this lesson, but you do not argue with a man covered in blood and a knife up his sleeve.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“Jesper shrugged again. He adjusted the buttons on his shirt, touched his thumbs to his revolvers. When he felt like this, mad and scattered, it was as if his hands had a life of their own. His whole body itched. He needed to get out of this room.
Wylan laid his hand on Jesper’s shoulder. “Stop.��
Jesper didn’t know if he wanted to jerk away or pull him closer.
“Just stop,�� Wylan said. “Breathe.�� Wylan’s gaze was steady.
Jesper couldn’t look away from that clear-water blue. He forced himself to still, inhaled, exhaled.
“Again,�� Wylan said, and when Jesper opened his mouth to take another breath, Wylan leaned forward and kissed him. Jesper’s mind emptied. He wasn’t thinking of what had happened before or what might happen next. There was only the reality of Wylan’s mouth, the press of his lips, then the fine bones of his neck, the silky feel of his curls as Jesper cupped his nape and drew him nearer.
This was the kiss he’d been waiting for. It was a gunshot. It was prairie fire. It was the spin of Makker’s Wheel. Jesper felt the pounding of his heart—or was it Wylan’s?—like a stampede in his chest, and the only thought in his head was a happy, startled, Oh.
Slowly, inevitably, they broke apart. “Wylan,�� Jesper said, looking into the wide blue sky of his eyes, “I really hope we don’t die.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“A chemical weevil,�� said Jesper, “But Wylan still hasn’t named it. My vote is for the Wyvil.��
“That’s terrible,�� said Wylan.
“It’s brilliant,�� Jesper winked. “Just like you.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Pull your shirt up over your mouth,�� he told Wylan.
“W�󲹳�?��
“Stop being dense. You’re cuter when you’re smart.��
Wylan’s cheeks went pink. He scowled and pulled his collar up.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“Remember our friend Mark?�� Wylan winced. “Let’s say the mark is a tourist walking through the Barrel. He’s heard it’s a good place to get rolled, so he keeps patting his wallet, making sure it’s there, congratulating himself on just how alert and cautious he’s being. No fool he. Of course every time he pats his back pocket or the front of his coat, what is he doing? He’s telling every thief on the Stave exactly where he keeps his scrub.��

“Saints,�� grumbled Nina. “I’ve probably done that.��

“Everyone does,�� said Inej.

Jesper lifted a brow. “Not everyone.��

“That’s only because you never have anything in your wallet,�� Nina shot back.

“M�𲹲�.��

“F�����ٳܲ���.��

“Facts are for the unimaginative,�� Jesper said with a dismissive wave.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“The shout came from far below, and it took a moment for Jesper to realize it was Wylan calling to him. He tried to ignore him, taking aim again.
“J�������!��
I’m going to kill that little idiot. “What do you want?�� he shouted down.
“Close your eyes!��
“You can’t kiss me from down there, Wylan.��
“Just do it!��
“This better be good!�� He shut his eyes.
“Are they closed?��
“Damn it, Wylan, yes, they’re—��
There was a shrill, shrieking howl, and then bright light bloomed behind Jesper’s lids.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“I would have come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. We never stop fighting.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“She smiled then, her eyes red, her cheeks scattered with some kind of dust. It was a smile he thought he might die to earn again.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Inej had once offered to teach him how to fall. "The trick is not getting knocked down," he'd told her with a laugh. "No, Kaz," she'd said, "the trick is in getting back up.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“It was because she was listening so closely that she knew the exact moment when Kaz Brekker, Dirtyhands, the bastard of the Barrel and deadliest boy in Ketterdam, fainted.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“He'd told her they would fight their way out. Knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. She would fight for him, but she could not heal him. She would not waste her life trying.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“You can’t spend his money if you’re dead.��
“I’ll acquire expensive habits in the afterlife.��
“There’s a difference between confidence and arrogance.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“This isn’t �� it isn’t a trick, is it?�� Her voice was smaller than she wanted it to be.

The shadow of something dark moved across Kaz’s face. “If it were a trick, I’d promise you safety. I’d offer you happiness. I don’t know if that exists in the Barrel, but you’ll find none of it with me.��

For some reason, those words had comforted her. Better terrible truths than kind lies.

“All right,�� she said. “How do we begin?��

“Let’s start by getting out of here and finding you some proper clothes. Oh, and Inej,�� he said as he led her out of the salon, “don’t ever sneak up on me again.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“A liar, a thief, and utterly without conscience. But he'll keep to any deal you strike with him.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“You’re about to be rich, Kaz. What will you do when there’s no more blood to shed or vengeance to take?��

“There’s always more.��

“More money, more mayhem, more scores to settle. Was there never another dream?��

He said nothing. What had carved all the hope from his heart? She might never know.

Inej turned to go. Kaz seized her hand, keeping it on the railing. He didn’t look at her. "Stay,�� he said, his voice rough stone. “Stay in Ketterdam. Stay with me.��

She looked down at his gloved hand clutching hers. Everything in her wanted to say yes, but she would not settle for so little, not after all she’d been through. “What would be the point?��

He took a breath. “I want you to stay. I want you to �� I want you.��

“You want me.�� She turned the words over. Gently, she squeezed his hand. “And how will you have me, Kaz?��

He looked at her then, eyes fierce, mouth set. It was the face he wore when he was fighting.

“How will you have me?�� she repeated. “Fully clothed, gloves on, your head turned away so our lips can never touch?��

He released her hand, his shoulders bunching, his gaze angry and ashamed as he turned his face to the sea.

Maybe it was because his back was to her that she could finally speak the words. “I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“Wait,�� he said. The burn of his voice was rougher than usual. “Is my tie straight?��
Inej laughed, her hood falling back from her hair.
“That’s the laugh,�� he murmured, but she was already setting off down the quay, her feet barely touching the ground.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Greed is your god, Kaz."
He almost laughed at that. "No, Inej. Greed bows to me. It is my servant and my lever.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“I am grateful you're alive", he said. "I am grateful that you're beside me. I am grateful that you're eating."
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"You're better that waffles, Matthias Helvar."
A small smile curled the Fjerdan's lips.
"Let's not say things we don't mean, my love.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“They were twin souls, soldiers destined to fight for different sides, to find each other and lose each other too quickly. She would not keep him here. Not like this.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“I promise, Matthias. I'll take you home."
"Nina," he said, pressing her hand to his heart. "I am already home.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Matthias was dreaming again. Dreaming of her. The storm raged around him, drowning out Nina’s voice. And yet his heart was easy. Somehow he knew that she would be safe, she would find shelter from the cold. He was on the ice once more, and somewhere he could hear the wolves howling. But this time, he knew they were welcoming him home.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“I’m a very valuable investment.��

“Tell me he didn’t say that.��

“Of course he did. Well, not the valuable part.��
���徱�dz�.��

“How’s Matthias?��

“Also an idiot.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“I wonder what Matthias would have to say about that outfit.��
“He wouldn’t approve.��
“He doesn’t approve of anything about you. But when you laugh, he perks up like a tulip in fresh water.��
Nina snorted. “Matthias the tulip.��
“The big, brooding, yellow tulip.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“What did she say?�� asked Matthias.
Nina coughed and took his arm, leading him away. “She said you’re a very nice fellow, and a credit to the Fjerdan race. Ooh, look, blini! I haven’t had proper blini in forever.��
“That word she used: babink,�� he said. “You’ve called me that before. What does it mean?��
Nina directed her attention to a stack of paper-thin buttered pancakes. “It means sweetie pie.��
“N���Բ�—���
“B����������������.��
“I was just asking, there’s no need to name-call.��
“N��, babink means barbarian.�� Matthias�� gaze snapped back to the old woman, his glower returning to full force. Nina grabbed his arm. It was like trying to hold on to a boulder. “She wasn’t insulting you! I swear!��
“Barbarian isn’t an insult?�� he asked, voice rising.
“No. Well, yes. But not in this context. She wanted to know if you’d like to play Princess and Barbarian.��
“It’s a game?��
“Not exactly.��
“Then what is it?��
Nina couldn’t believe she was actually going to attempt to explain this. As they continued up the street, she said, “In Ravka, there’s a popular series of stories about, um, a brave Fjerdan warrior—��
“Really?�� Matthias asked. “He’s the hero?��
“In a manner of speaking. He kidnaps a Ravkan princess—��
“That would never happen.��
“In the story it does, and”—she cleared her throat—“they spend a long time getting to know each other. In his cave.��
“He lives in a cave?��
“It’s a very nice cave. Furs. Jeweled cups. Mead.��
“Ah,�� he said approvingly. “A treasure hoard like Ansgar the Mighty. They become allies, then?��
Nina picked up a pair of embroidered gloves from another stand. “Do you like these? Maybe we could get Kaz to wear something with flowers. Liven up his look.��
“How does the story end? Do they fight battles?��
Nina tossed the gloves back on the pile in defeat. “They get to know each other intimately.��
Matthias�� jaw dropped. “In the cave?��
“You see, he’s very brooding, very manly,�� Nina hurried on. “But he falls in love with the Ravkan princess and that allows her to civilize him—��
“To civilize him?��
“Yes, but that’s not until the third book.��
“There are three?��
“Matthias, do you need to sit down?��
“This culture is disgusting. The idea that a Ravkan could civilize a Fjerdan—��
“Calm down, Matthias.��
“Perhaps I’ll write a story about insatiable Ravkans who like to get drunk and take their clothes off and make unseemly advances toward hapless Fjerdans.��
“N�Ƿ� that sounds like a party.�� Matthias shook his head, but she could see a smile tugging at his lips. She decided to push the advantage. ��We could play,�� she murmured, quietly enough so that no one around them could hear.
“We most certainly could not.��
“At one point he bathes her.��
Matthias�� steps faltered. “Why would he—��
“She’s tied up, so he has to.��
“Be silent.��
“Already giving orders. That’s very barbarian of you. Or we could mix it up. I’ll be the barbarian and you can be the princess. But you’ll have to do a lot more sighing and trembling and biting your lip.��
“How about I bite your ������?��
“N�Ƿ� you’re getting the hang of it, Helvar.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom