Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

“I was a princess made of ashes; there is nothing left of me to burn.
Now it's time for a queen to rise.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ash Princess

“Is it better to have your life ended by someone who hates you or someone who loves you?”
― Laura Sebastian, Ash Princess

“Maybe they have broken you, but you are a sharper weapon because of it. And it is time to strike.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ash Princess

“Is that all you want?â€�

At that, he reaches for me, and pulls me toward him so that we’re standing face to face. “Well, I want you, but I didn’t think I had to say that,� he says. “In whatever capacity I can have you, for however long you want me, I’m yours.�

I smile, rolling onto the balls of my feet to kiss him softly.

â€�Yana Crebesti,â€� I murmur against his lips. “No matter what comes.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ember Queen

“He is a stone, incapable of feeling anything, and I don't like being reminded that he's also human. I don't like to be reminded that we love the same person.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ash Princess

“The Kaiser should have killed me when he had the chance.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ash Princess

“Her name is Queen Theodosia, and if you won’t apologize for disrespecting her, I’ll let her men have you and I’ll describe your last moments to your wife so that she knows how pathetically you died.â€�

Mattin grunts, eyes dropping away. “I apologize,� he says through gritted teeth.

Søren looks tempted to extract something more sincere out of him, but that would hardly be productive. I clear my throat.

“I accept your apology,â€� I say coldly. “I hope you come to see that a woman can wield power beyond what’s between her legs—for your daughter’s sake if nothing else.”
― Laura Sebastian, Lady Smoke

“You aren’t useless. You have your mind, you have your determination. You can still probably wield a sword better than half of Cress’s army, I’d bet, depth perception or no. Stay and fight and show her that she didn’t ruin you.â€�

Erik swallows. For a moment, he says nothing, but eventually he nods his head. “I don’t suppose you could heal me, Heron?� he asks, though he sounds like he already knows the answer.

“I can’t make you a new eye,� Heron says, his voice pained. “But I can try to help with healing your other one.�

“What about you, Artemisia?� Erik asks. “Any illusion you could cast to hide it?�

“Nothing permanent. I’m sorry,� she says. “And nothing that would give you back your vision.�

“Ah well,� Erik says, his voice still quavering. “I had a few good years of being handsome. It’s more than most get.�

It’s an attempt at a joke, but no one laughs.

“You’re still handsome,� Heron says quietly.

Erik laughs, the sound hard. “I’m monstrous,� he says.

“You’re brave,â€� Heron says, louder this time. “And steadfast. And you fight for your people—for what you know is right no matter what it costs you. You are, without a doubt, the handsomest man I’ve ever seen, and if you try to say otherwise one last time, I will break your nose as well, you vain ass.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ember Queen

“My name is Theodosia Eirene Houzzara, Queen of Astrea, and I will endure this”
― Laura Sebastian, Ash Princess

“You are sweet and docile and dumb.â€�

I recoil. “Excuse me?�

She smirks. “Another role to play. You’re very good at playing roles.�

I’m tempted to look at Søren, who’s too busy rowing to talk but can certainly hear every word.

“Let them believe you are dim,â€� Artemisia continues. “The King, his court, your suitors. If they believe you to be an idiot, they will underestimate you. Let them.”
― Laura Sebastian, Lady Smoke

“I’m sorry,â€� I say, bringing my hand over my mouth. “I’m so sorry, Erik.â€�

Erik shakes his head. “I’m useless to you now,� he says. “I have no army for you, Theo. I can’t lead a battalion. I’m not even sure I could lead the way out of this tent.�

“You’re blind,� Heron says, finding his voice again finally.

“Half,� Erik says, motioning to the swollen eye. “This one should heal, I think. But with no depth perception and a narrower field of vision—�

“No,â€� Heron says. “I mean you’re blind—you aren’t dead. You want to help, you want to save your people, then do it. You don’t have to lead an army to do that.”
― Laura Sebastian, Ember Queen

“You said they were a…religiousâ€�?â€�

“Oligarchy,� he finishes. “Ruled by five high priests, who are in turn elected by smaller delegations of regular priests, one for each sub-country. Though the common belief is that each high priest is chosen by God himself.�

“God?� Artemisia asks.

“They’re monotheistic, yes,� he says.

She rolls her eyes. “Just say there’s only one. You aren’t in court, your fancy words don’t impress anyone.”
― Laura Sebastian, Lady Smoke

“Spiros and the other guards move in front of us, clearing a path to the gangway—a thick wooden plank leading from our ship to theirs. The sight of it makes my stomach clench and I imagine all the ways I could topple off it. Spiros crosses first, the plank rattling beneath his feet with each step he takes, though he hardly seems to notice it. He’s done this before, of course. So has Søren—I’m the only one new at this.

“If it helps,� Søren murmurs to me, “I’ve never seen anyone fall off a gangway unless someone pushed them.�

“Thank you,â€� I reply dryly, before taking my first step onto the rickety plank.”
― Laura Sebastian, Lady Smoke