ŷ������

“That’s it, Tala.�� Alaric pressed a feverish kiss to her temple, then another one to her jaw. He sounded as broken as she felt, that deep rasp of a voice guiding her higher. “Come all over your husband’s wedding ring.��

He watched her the way one watched a sunrise.”
― Thea Guanzon, A Monsoon Rising

“Did—were you—�� Alaric faltered, each word laboriously plucked out from his stupor. “Did you think that I �� would strike you?��
Talasyn remained silent a beat too long. Long enough for him to confirm that her answer, though unspoken, was yes.
“I wouldn’t—�� He hit the floor on his knees and shuffled toward her. She straightened up with the intention of nudging him to do so as well, but he flung his arms around her waist. “Tala, I would never”—he buried his face in her midsection—“never when we’re not sparring,�� he said fiercely. “Never when I’m drunk, never in our room—��
“I know.�� She carded her fingers through his soft hair, in a tentative attempt to soothe him.”
― Thea Guanzon, A Monsoon Rising

“Det finns ingenting som hotar ett korrupt system mer än en fritt sinne.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

“He chucked her under the chin. The way he had at the Belian shrine.
Everything about this moment carried echoes of before, painted in a new light.
“I thought Queen Urduja might have told you what to write,�� he admitted. “I assumed you told her about—about what my father—��
“I didn’t,�� she said quickly.
Talasyn tried to step back. Tried to step away from Alaric and this jumble of emotions, this labyrinth. But she found herself frozen in place as relief softened his features, taking away the years. The corner of his mouth, mere inches from hers, lifted in what was almost a smile.
“Write to me again, Tala.�� There was a teasing lilt to his tone. “I’ll write back. I promise. We’ll endure your awkwardness together.��
Her spark of annoyance was eclipsed by how close he was, close enough to kiss. And maybe she should kiss him, to erase some of that smugness ��”
― Thea Guanzon, A Monsoon Rising

“Tala,�� he said, in something between a whisper and a sigh.
“Alaric,�� she said dryly.
“I merely wished to say your name,�� he said.
“Oh gods,�� Talasyn muttered. Her husband was a sappy drunk.”
― Thea Guanzon, A Monsoon Rising