欧宝娱乐

“His breath hitched, and he regarded me hungrily. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e playing with fire, you know that?鈥�
鈥淭hat鈥檚 weird, considering you鈥檙e an ice prin鈥斺€� I didn鈥檛 get any further, as Ash leaned in and kissed me.”
― Julie Kagawa, Winter's Passage

“Meghan,鈥� whispered a voice, heart wrenchingly familiar, drawing me out of the void. I recognized it immediately, just as I realized it was a figment of my desperate imagination, because the real owner of that voice would never be here, talking to me.
Ash?
鈥淲ake up,鈥� he murmured, his deep voice cutting through the layers of the darkness. 鈥淒on鈥檛 do this. If you don鈥檛 come out of this soon, you鈥檒l fade away and drift forever. Fight it. Come back to us.鈥�
I didn鈥檛 want to wake up. There was nothing but pain waiting for me in the real world. If I was asleep, I couldn鈥檛 feel anything. If I was asleep, I didn鈥檛 have to face Ash and the cold contempt on his face when he looked at me. Darkness was my retreat, my sanctuary. I drew back from Ash鈥檚 voice, deeper into the comforting blackness. And, through the layer of dreams and delirium, I heard a quiet sob.
鈥淧lease.鈥� A hand gripped mine, real and solid, anchoring me to the present. 鈥淚 know what you must think of me, but鈥︹€� The voice broke off, took a ragged breath. 鈥淒on鈥檛 leave,鈥� it whispered. 鈥淢eghan, don鈥檛 go. Come back to me.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Daughter

“He shook his head, examining the wound again. 鈥淚t's not frostbitten,鈥� he muttered. 鈥淚t'll blister, but you should be fine. You might only lose a couple fingers.鈥�
I glanced at him sharply, but he was smirking. For a moment, I was speechless. Good God, the Ice Prince was making jokes now; the world must be ending.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“One night, bored and restless, I found a stack of dusty board games in a closet, and bullied Ash into learning Scrabble, checkers and Yahtzee. Surprisingly, Ash found that he enjoyed these 鈥渉uman鈥� games, and was soon asking me to play more often than not. This filled some of the long, restless evenings and kept my mind off certain things. Unfortunately for me, once Ash learned the rules, he was nearly impossible to beat in strategy games like checkers, and his long life gave him a vast knowledge of lengthy, complicated words he staggered me with in Scrabble. Though sometimes we鈥檇 end up debating whether or not faery terms like Gwragedd Annwn and hobyahs were legal to use.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“I have always loved you, princess," Robin Goodfellow promised, his green eyes shining in the darkness. "I always will. And I'll take whatever you can give me."
I looked down, unable to meet his open stare, human fears and self-consciousness coming to the surface. "Even if all I can offer is friendship? Will that still be enough?"
"Well, not really." Puck dropped his hand, his voice turning light and carefree again, more like the Puck I knew. "Damn not being able to lie. Princess, if you suddenly decide ice-boy is a first-class jerk and that you can't stand him, I'll always be here. But for now, I'll settle for being the best friend.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“You think I don鈥檛 know pain?鈥� Puck shook his head at me. 鈥淥r loss? I鈥檝e been around a lot longer than you, prince! I know what love is, and I鈥檝e lost
my fair share, too. Just because we have a different way of handling it, doesn鈥檛 mean I don鈥檛 have scars of my own.鈥�
鈥淣ame one,鈥� I scoffed. 鈥淕ive me one instance where you haven鈥檛鈥斺€�
鈥淢eghan Chase!鈥� Puck roared, startling me into silence. I blinked, and he sneered at me. 鈥淵eah, your highness. I know what loss is. I鈥檝e loved that
girl since before she knew me. But I waited. I waited because I didn鈥檛 want to lie about who I was. I wanted her to know the truth before anything else.
So I waited, and I did my job. For years, I protected her, biding my time, until the day she went into the Nevernever after her brother. And then you
came along. And I saw how she looked at you. And for the first time, I wanted to kill you as much as you wanted to kill me.”
― Julie Kagawa

“Careful, human.鈥� Grimalkin appeared on the corner of the stage, overshadowed by the dead chimera. 鈥淒o not lose your heart to a faery prince. It never ends well.鈥�
鈥淲ho asked you?鈥� I glared at him. 鈥淎nd why do you always pop up when you鈥檙e not wanted? You got your payment. Why are you still following me?鈥�
鈥淵ou are amusing,鈥� purred Grimalkin.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“I hate it when you鈥檙e reasonable.鈥�
He laughed. 鈥淪omeone has to be." ...
(Meghan and Ash)”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“So,鈥� I demanded, trying to sound confident, 鈥渨here can we find this trod to New Orleans?鈥�
鈥淭he frost giant ruins,鈥� Ash replied, looking thoughtful. 鈥淰ery close to Mab鈥檚 court.鈥� At Puck鈥檚 glare, he shrugged and offered a tiny, rueful smirk. 鈥淪he goes to Mardi Gras every year.鈥�
I pictured the Queen of the Unseelie Court flashing a couple of drunken partygoers, and giggled uncontrollably. All three shot me a strange look. 鈥淪orry,鈥� I gasped, biting my lip. "Still kind of giddy, I guess.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“How very like you, Puck.鈥� Ash鈥檚 voice came from a great distance, and the room started to spin. 鈥淥ffer them a taste of faery wine, and act surprised when they鈥檙e consumed by it.鈥�
That struck me as hilarious, and I broke into hysterical giggles. And once I began, I couldn鈥檛 stop. I laughed until I was gasping for breath, tears streaming down my face. My feet itched and my skin crawled. I needed to move, to do something. I tried standing up, wanting to spin and dance, but the room tilted violently and I fell, still shrieking with laughter.
Somebody caught me, scooping me off my feet and into their arms. I smelled frost and winter, and heard an exasperated sigh from somewhere above my head.
鈥淲hat are you doing, Ash?鈥� I heard someone ask. A familiar voice, though I couldn鈥檛 think of his name, or why he sounded so suspicious.
鈥淚鈥檓 taking her back to her room.鈥� The person above me sounded wonderfully calm and deep. I sighed and settled into his arms. 鈥淪he鈥檒l have to sleep off the effects of the fruit. We鈥檒l likely be here another day because of your idiocy.鈥�
The other voice said something garbled and unintelligible. I was suddenly too sleepy and light-headed to care. Relaxing against the mysterious person鈥檚 chest, I fell into a heady sleep.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“Meghan rose with the regal grace of a queen, calm and unruffled. I noticed she subtly moved in front of me when facing Ariella, a familiar gesture that caught me off guard. The Iron Queen was protecting me.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Knight

“Why?鈥� I whispered. 鈥淲hy do you hang around? You and Ash could鈥檝e died
迟辞诲补测.鈥�
Puck鈥檚 heartbeat sped up under my fingers. His voice, when it came, was
very soft, almost a whisper. 鈥淚 would鈥檝e thought you鈥檇鈥檝e figured that out by now.鈥�

~`~`~`~
Puck loves me, it whispered, thrilled. He鈥檚 in love with me. I knew it. I knew it all along.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e kind of blind, you know?鈥� Puck whispered, smiling to soften his
words. 鈥淚 wouldn't defy Oberon for just anyone. But, for you鈥︹€� He leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. 鈥淚鈥檇 come back from the dead for you.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Daughter

“Wow, Meghan!鈥� Kimi bounced in place, clapping her hands. 鈥淵ou look awesome! I love what you did with your hair.鈥�
鈥淧RINCESS.鈥� Ironhorse looked me up and down, nodding in approval.
鈥淭RULY, YOU ARE A VISION.鈥�
I glanced at Puck, who was staring at me in a daze. 鈥淯m鈥︹€� he stammered, while I nearly went into shock with the novelty of actually rendering Puck speechless. 鈥淵ou look鈥ice,鈥� he muttered at last.
I blushed, suddenly self-conscious.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Daughter

“Combat doesn't have to be with swords... Emotions can be deadly weapons, and knowing your enemy's breaking point can be key to winning a battle.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“You鈥檙e an idiot, half-breed,鈥� she taunted, as I kicked snow at her. She dodged easily. 鈥淩owan鈥檚 too good for you, and he鈥檚 experienced. Most everyone, fey and mortal boys included, would give their teeth to have him to themselves for a night. Try him. I guarantee you鈥檒l like it.鈥�
鈥淣ot interested,鈥� I snapped, glaring at her with narrowed eyes. My butt still stung, making my words sharp. 鈥淚鈥檓 done playing games with faery princes. They can go to hell, for all I care. I鈥檇 rather strip naked for a group of redcaps.鈥�
鈥淥oh, if you do, can I watch?”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Daughter

“Hey". Meghan's fingers on my arm nearly made me jump out of my skin. She smiled up at me, though her eyes were puzzled. "You seem awfully nervous this morning. Is something wrong?"
Now or never, Ash. I took a deep breath. "No", I replied, turning to her, "Nothing's wrong, but I did want to ask you something. Come here a moment."
Taking both her hands, I backed away to the middle of the floor, to an open space in front of the curtains. She followed, still wearing a bemused expression, and I paused a moment to gather my thoughts. "I don't...know how it's done in your world", I began, as she tilted her head at me. "I've seen it before...but, I'm not sure how to ask. It never really comes up in the Winter Court."
Meghan blinked, frowning slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I know my role here," I continued. "Whatever happens, I'm still your knight, and nothing will change that. You are queen of this realm, and I have no desire to rule. That said, fighting your enemies, standing with you no matter what comes at us. But I'm no longer satisfied with just being your knight and protector. I want something more". I stopped and took a deep breath, then slowly released her hands, stepped back and sank to one knee. "What I'm trying to ask is...Meghan Chase, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Knight

“So what?" I challenged, pulling the quilt tighter around myself. 鈥淎ll you're telling me is I won't betray my friends or family. If that's a weakness, it's one I want.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“Grimalkin sighed loudly, causing me to look back and Razor to hiss at him. 鈥淎m I the only one here who has any insight at all?鈥� he said, looking to each of our faces. We stared at him, and he shook his head. 鈥淒rawing a blank, are you? Think about what you just said, human. Repeat that last phrase, if you would.鈥�
I frowned. 鈥淚sn鈥檛 that where you want to be?鈥�
He closed his eyes. 鈥淭he next phrase, human.鈥�
鈥淲ith all the other gremlins.鈥� He stared at me expectantly, and I raised my hands. 鈥淲hat? What are you getting at, Grim?鈥�
Grimalkin thumped his tail. 鈥淚t is times like these I am ever more grateful that I am a cat,鈥� he sighed. 鈥淲hy do you think I brought you that creature, human? To keep up my stalking skills? I assure you, they are quite adequate already. Please attempt to use the brain I know is hidden somewhere in that head.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“Don鈥檛 tell me you鈥檙e guarding the pearly gates. You never struck me as the angelic type.鈥�
(Meghan to Machina)”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“Sure you鈥檒l be all right?鈥� Glitch asked, breaking through my thoughts. 鈥淚 could come with you, if you鈥檇 like. They won鈥檛 even see me.鈥�
I shook my head. 鈥淏etter if I do this alone. Besides, there鈥檚 one member of that household who can see you. And he鈥檚 seen enough scary monsters to last him a lifetime.鈥�
鈥淏egging your pardon, your highness,鈥� Glitch smirked, 鈥渂ut who are you calling a scary monster?鈥�
I swatted at him.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“Sorry to wake you, but we have to be somewhere soon, remember?"
Ash grunted and, to my surprise, shifted to his back and put the pillow over his head. "I don't suppose I could convince you to go without me," he groaned, his voice muffled beneath the fabric. "Tell Mab I've been eaten by a manticore or something?”
― Julie Kagawa, Iron's Prophecy

“Aw, boss.鈥� The redcap who was spit on smiled at me and licked his fangs. 鈥淐an鈥檛 we chew on the princess, just a little?鈥�
One-Eyed Jack slapped the offending faery upside the head without looking at him. 鈥淚diot,鈥� he snapped. 鈥淚 have no desire to pick your frozen guts off the pavement. Now move, you stupid lot. Before I lose my temper.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“When he was kidnapped by the Iron King and taken into the Nevernever, she didn鈥檛 hesitate to go after him. And she didn鈥檛 stop there. When her magic was sealed by Mab, leaving her defenseless in the Winter Court, she somehow managed to survive, even when she thought you had turned on her. When the Scepter of the Seasons was stolen by the Iron fey, she went after it, despite having no magic and no weapon with which to defend herself. And when the courts asked her to destroy the false king, she accepted, even though the Summer and Iron glamours within her were making her sick, and she couldn鈥檛 use either of them effectively. She still went into the Iron Kingdom to
face a tyrant she didn鈥檛 know if she could overcome.
鈥淣ow,鈥� Ariella finished, turning toward me, 鈥渄o you still believe humans are weak?”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Knight

“Water splashed over my jeans, and I yelped as something burned my skin.

We examined my leg. Tiny holes marred my jeans where the drops had hit, the material seared away, the skin underneath red and burned. It throbbed as if I鈥檇 jabbed needles into my flesh.
鈥淲hat the heck?鈥� I muttered, glaring into the storm. It looked like ordinary rain鈥攇ray, misty, somewhat depressing. Almost compulsively, I stuck my hand toward the opening, where water dripped over the edge of the tube.
Ash grabbed my wrist, snatching it back. 鈥淵es, it will burn your hand as well as your leg,鈥� he said in a bland voice. 鈥淎nd here I thought you learned your lesson with the chains.鈥�
Embarrassed, I dropped my hand and scooted farther into the tube, away from the rim and the acid rain dripping from it. 鈥淕uess I鈥檓 staying up all night,鈥� I muttered, crossing my arms. 鈥淲ouldn鈥檛 want to doze off and find half my face melted off when I wake up.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

“Ooh, Snowberry, you were right,鈥� one of them said, wrinkling her nose like she smelled something foul. 鈥淪he does reek of a dead pig in the summer. I don鈥檛 know how Mab can stand it.鈥�
Clenching my fists, I tried to keep my cool. I was so not in the mood for this now.God, it鈥檚 like high school all over again. Will it never end? These are ancient faeries, for Pete鈥檚 sake, and they鈥檙e acting like my high school pom squad.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Daughter

“I know who you are.鈥� Ash鈥檚 voice shook slightly, which chilled me even more. That Ash, fearless, unshakable Ash, was afraid of this thing filled me with dread.”
― Julie Kagawa, Winter's Passage

“When I saw you with Puck, the day you came to the Nevernever鈥︹€�
鈥淭he day you tried to kill us,鈥� I reminded him.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Daughter

“Me? Robin Goodfellow, a family man? He, not likely, ice-boy. I mean, think of what that would do to my reputation." Glamour shimmered around him, and he gave us a wink. "Later, lovebirds. Gimme a heads up when the kid arrives. 'Uncle Puck' will be waiting.”
― Julie Kagawa, Iron's Prophecy

“The memory burned like bile in my stomach, and I closed my eyes, wishing it didn't have to be this way. I loved Puck like a brother and a best friend. And yet, during a very dark period when I was confused and lonely and hurt, my affection for him had led me to do something stupid, something I shouldn't have done. I knew he loved me, and the fact that I'd taken advantage of his feelings made me disgusted with myself. I wished I knew how to fix it, but the barely concealed pain in Puck's eyes told me no amount of words would make it better.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Iron Queen

“I figured. Can鈥檛 expect a faery to do you a favor without naming a price. Squashing down my annoyance, I stole a glance at Ash, and saw him nod. He鈥檇 expected it, too. I sighed and turned back to the oracle. 鈥淲hat do you want?鈥�
She tapped a nail against her chin, dislodging a few flakes of dead skin or dust. I wrinkled my nose and eased back a step. 鈥淗mm, let us see. What would the girl be willing to part with. Perhaps鈥our future chi鈥斺€�
鈥淣o,鈥� Ash and I said in unison. She snorted.”
― Julie Kagawa