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“We're hopeless, you and I," Vhalla whispered.
"If I am going to be hopeless for anyone, let it be for you, Vhalla Yarl.”
― Elise Kova, Water's Wrath

“I love you,â€� he repeated, a determined fire lighting his eyes. “It is one of the worst things I could ever do,â€� Aldrik confessed. “I swear to the Mother, I have tried not to damn you with it. But you’re a rather persistent, beautiful presence in my life. And, for once, the silver-tongued prince is tired of pretending.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“He traded his freedom for mine," she whispered. "He was a reckless fool, and I was a girl pulled along by puppet strings. The fire burned too hot, and we didn't notice until it consumed everything.”
― Elise Kova, Water's Wrath

“You foolish idiot,â€� he suddenly rasped, drawing himself to his feet. “You went without orders from your superior. You ignored the call. You could have killed yourself, you dumb girl.â€� Vhalla shrunk back as though he’d slapped her. “And you stopped the storm.â€� He sat heavily on the edge of her bed. Without hesitation, Aldrik reached up and cupped her cheek gently. “You foolish, amazing, astounding woman, you saved us all.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“Then I realized I just wanted you around. My days were better when they involved you. I enjoyed your thoughts. It was thrilling to see you discover magic. You had a mad hopefulness about sorcery that I have not felt in almost a decade. I started finding excuses to take you away, not because you needed my teaching but because, because I wanted to see you. I looked forward to our meetings and—like that, Vhalla—your opinion mattered to the crown prince of the Empire. You mattered for who you were, not for your magic and what some dusty texts say Windwalkers may or may not be able to do.”
― Elise Kova, Air Awakens

“We all believe in you two. We are all fighting for you. Do you know why?"
She shook her head. She didn't have the faintest idea.
"Because you two represent something, something more than you do individually. You are the impossible dreamers. The two who took on fate to be together. No one believed you could be anything. More than once, you both strove for more, for dreams that you should've never dreamed. So when you say you fight for peace, people believe it. Because you have cheated death and fate. Compared to that, finding peace will surely be easy.”
― Elise Kova, Crystal Crowned

“Just like that, the world changed. Aldrik held out both hands before her and helped her to her feet. Vhalla stood, not as a common-born library girl, a soldier, a sorcerer, or a lady, but as an Empress.”
― Elise Kova, Crystal Crowned

“I spoke for you today," he confessed. Vhalla's heart skipped a beat. "I did not speak before not because I did not care, but because—because, I am not a good man, Vhalla. My voice is more likely to damn you than save you. There are people in this world—in that room—who will hurt you for the sake of hurting me.”
― Elise Kova, Air Awakens

“If you want to make the widely accepted appropriate decision, then leave now, have mercy and end this before you entice me further. Because I promise, this will never be easy—for either of us—and I refuse to love you halfway.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“Vhalla was there the moment her prince became her Emperor. He turned back to her helplessly. For the first time in the whole of knowing him, Aldrik looked lost, shell-shocked. She tried to offer him an encouraging smile, but there was only one thing to be done. She had something more important to give him than her smiles. Vhalla dropped to her knee before the Emperor of the realms.
"Long live Solaris.”
― Elise Kova, Water's Wrath

“I've always loved watching you sleep. Seeing you at peace." He brushed hair lovingly away from her face. "I plan to do it forever."
"Even now?" she whispered, wanting to hear the words between his words.
"Even now," he affirmed.”
― Elise Kova, Crystal Crowned

“Vhalla grabbed one of the pillows in question and threw it in his face. It hit him square and the prince stared at her. For a moment Vhalla felt her nerves take over.
“You just assaulted the crown prince.� He glared, but she saw the tell-tale glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Vhalla, I think that violates the terms of your probation.�
“Oh? Tell me what will you do to me?� She did her best to imitate one of his trademark smirks, and she was rewarded by the spark turning to a fire in his eyes.
“I could think of quite a few things to do to you.â€� His voice was gravely and deep, and Vhalla felt a flush rise to her cheeks.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“Stop avoiding my question!" he demanded.
"I am not!" The last of her resolve shattered and her control slipped away. Tears were going to fall at any moment, and if the two of them were going to break they may as well shatter. â€�I love you, Aldrik!”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Take care, lest I have to burn the Crossroads to the ground in a rage.â€�
Vhalla laughed softly, very well realizing that it may not entirely be a jest. She grinned up at him playfully. “Take care yourself, lest I have to blow the Crossroads away in a rage.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“Larel’s voice was sad and sincere. “Aldrik’s been through a good deal, much of which he’s never even imparted to me. But I’ve seen the edges of the darkness he shoulders. I don’t think he worries for his sanity or his mortality. He doesn’t want you to die because he’s afraid that it would mean he’d have to live without you.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“Do you just oblige me?â€� Aldrik asked coolly.
Vhalla laughed. “Of course not. I enjoy being near you, hearing your thoughts, spending time with you. You’re one of the best things that have ever happened to me.� Vhalla smiled at him, and she saw the prince relax. How had she never realized how insecure he was?
“You’re so funny. Do I oblige you? Aldrik, I—� Vhalla stopped herself, her smile slipping in the wake of a revelation. “—I—�
Love you.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“I wanted your forgiveness, as though that innocent acceptance would absolve me of all the blood on my hands. I wanted to see you well and happy. I wanted to see you flourish, and I wanted only a small piece. To know that, in you, I had made something good. And I truly wanted to keep you from pain.”
― Elise Kova, Air Awakens

“You're right about it all. I wanted you. The moment I found out what you were, I wanted you like a prize to be captured and put on my shelf. And you, Vhalla, you made it so easy to manipulate you to walk right where I wanted you. You, with your transparent innocence.”
― Elise Kova, Air Awakens

“They could have at least tried to hide it," one of the soldiers around her remarked.
"Not very hard to tell which one is the Windwalker," another agreed.
"As if the Fire Lord would let his dark darling out of his sight.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“Aldrik," she said stubbornly, "I survived the Night of Fire and Wind, an assassination attempt, a fall from the Pass, a run alone through the North." Vhalla took a step away and pulled his hands from her shoulders. "I've killed more people than I have fingers. I'm not the girl you found in the library, and I can protect myself.”
― Elise Kova, Earth's End

“They were an equal match with his heartbeat in the back of her mind. His combat prowess flowed through her veins, coupled with the skill Vhalla had gained from months of her own training. They both missed the slack-jaw amazement from the other soldiers. That the Windwalker danced toe-to-toe with one of the greatest sorcerers in the world, that she could best Aldrik as often as he bested her, that the prince seemed to find amusement—even joy—and not frustration at that fact.”
― Elise Kova, Earth's End

“He was no longer a wildfire burning with rage. He was now the fires of the forges he'd stoked. He burned for a purpose and remained focused on that singular goal.”
― Elise Kova, Crystal Crowned

“As if the Fire Lord would let his dark darling out of his sight.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“The majors are enamored with you. They admire your strong and noble nature, your grace, your poise, your stunning intelligence and eloquence, and—after tonight—your inspiring loyalty." Aldrik sat next to her. "My father excused himself over dinner, likely to hide his face, and the moment they were free of his presence, all they spoke about was you.”
― Elise Kova, Earth's End

“I will never push you away again," he whispered.
"I'll never let you," Vhalla laughed softly.
"I vow to honor my promise to you, Vhalla.”
― Elise Kova, Water's Wrath

“The fires of Solaris, the fires of justice, burn bright and hot. The sun is rising, and it will cast this darkness from the earth. We will end the Supreme King.”
― Elise Kova, Crystal Crowned

“I didn't come for him," Vhalla whispered softly. The gardens were surrounded by a tall palace wall that blocked most of the mountain winds. The prince heard her with little problem, his retreat stalled. "I came to see you."
"Me?" He looked back in disbelief.
"Yes, you," Vhalla laughed softly.”
― Elise Kova, Air Awakens

“You foolish idiot,â€� he suddenly rasped, drawing himself to his feet. “You went without orders from your superior. You ignored the call. You could have killed yourself, you dumb girl.â€�
Vhalla shrunk back as though he’d slapped her.
“And you stopped the storm.â€� He sat heavily on the edge of her bed. Without hesitation, Aldrik reached up and cupped her cheek gently. “You foolish, amazing, astounding woman, you saved us all.”
― Elise Kova, Fire Falling

“It doesn't matter." Aldrik shook his head. "I will fight to keep you until the end of my days.”
― Elise Kova, Earth's End

“For the first time in the whole of knowing him, Aldrik looked lost, shell-shocked. She tried to offer him an encouraging smile, but there was only one thing to be done. She had something more important to give him than her smiles. Vhalla dropped to her knee before the Emperor of the realms.
"Long live Solaris.”
― Elise Kova, Water's Wrath