Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

“Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“What have I earned from you, Valek? Loyalty? Respect? Trust?"

"You have my attention. But give me what I want, and you can have everything.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“But you've slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Another relative?â€� Valek asked.

A broad smile stretched Moon Man’s lips. “Yes. I am her mother’s uncle’s wife’s third cousin.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“You're right. And so was my snake."
Snake?"
He pulled my arm out to expose my bracelet. "When I carved this my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. With me.”
― Maria V. Snyder

“Your mother sounds like a formidable woman," Valek said into the silence.
"You have no idea," Leif replied with a sigh.
"Well, if she's anything like Yelena, my deepest sympathies," Valek teased.
"Hey!"
Leif laughed and the tense moment dissipated.
Valek handed Leif his machete. "Do you know how to use it?"
"Of course. I chopped Yelena's bow into firewood," Leif joked.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you...but you slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“I want you to have this.â€� He extended his hand. On his palm sat the beautiful butterfly he had carved. Silver spots on the wings glinted in the sunlight, and a silver chain hung from a small hole drilled into its body.
Valek looped the necklace around my neck. “When I carved this statue, I was thinking about you. Delicate in appearance, but with a strength unnoticed at first glance.â€� His eyes met mine.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Yelena.â€� I halted in the doorway, looking back over my shoulder.
“You once said I wasn’t ready to believe your reason for killing Reyad. I’ll believe you now.�
“But I’m not ready to tell you,â€� I said and left the room.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“It's a dirty way to fight, but I'm late for lunch."
- Valek to Yelena”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“How did you—â€�
“Fool your guards? They’re not very good. They forgot to check the ceiling for spiders.� Valek grinned. His angular face softened. Startled, I realized he wasn’t in disguise. “This is dangerous.�
“I knew falling for you was dangerous, love.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Well, Valek, any new promotions?â€� the Commander asked
“No. But Maren shows promise. Unfortunately she »å´Ç±ð²õ²Ô’t want to be in my corps or even be my second.She just wants to beat me.â€� Valek grinned, delighted by the challenge.
“And can she?� the Commander inquired. His eyebrows rose.
“With time and the proper training. She’s deadly with her bow; it’s just her tactics that need work.�
“Then what do we do with her?�
“Promote her to General and retire some of those old wind-bags. We could use some fresh blood in the upper ranks.�
“Valek, you never had a good grasp of military structure.�
“Then promote her to First Lieutenant today, Captain tomorrow, Major the next day, Colonel the day after, and General the day after that.�
“I’ll take it under advisement.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Valek leaned back in his chair and said to me, “I don’t think I would have made it past the audition,Yelena. I probably would have set my hair on fire by this point.â€�
“What’s a singed head for the sake of art?â€� I teased. He laughed.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“I balled my hands into tight fists to keep them from wrapping around Mr. I-Know-Everything's superior neck.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Anything else you want to tell me?â€� I asked Valek as we stopped a few feet short of the castle’s south entrance. “Did Ari and Janco set me up for Nix’s attack? Do you have another test of loyalty for me up your sleeve? Maybe the next time, I’ll actually fail. A prospect that seems appealing!â€� I pushed away Valek’s supporting arm. “When you warned me that you would test me from time to time, I thought you meant spiking my food. But it seems there is more than one way to poison a person’s heart, and it »å´Ç±ð²õ²Ô’t even require a meal.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Besides, thinking kind thoughts about Valek could be extremely dangerous. I could admire his skills, and be relieved when he was on my side in a fight. But for a rat to like the cat? That scenario ended only one way. With one dead rat.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“We should make a list of who »å´Ç±ð²õ²Ô’t want to kill you, love. It’d be shorter.â€�
I’d be offended, but it was actually a good idea.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Shadow Study

“Valek coalesced from the shadows and wrapped me in his long lean arms. I soaked in his musky smell, listening to his heart beat. Strong and steady. No indication that he had been sneaking around.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Ice Study

“I shook my head at Janco. “I’ve got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I’ll meet you there.â€�
Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. “Come on, she »å´Ç±ð²õ²Ô’t need our help.â€� Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. “I’ll bet you a copper that she’ll be free in five minutes,â€� he said to Ari.
Ari grunted in amusement. “A silver on ten minutes,� he countered.
“I’ll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him,� Valek said
from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. “The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love?”
― Maria V. Snyder

“Move back,â€� the man on the left ordered Valek. “Or I’ll skewer your friend.â€�

Valek considered the threat. “Do you plan to wound, maim or kill him?� he asked the guard.

“Threats should be specific in order to have the maximum impact.�

The man just stared at him.

“Skewer is just too vague. I think if you say, ’Stand back or I’ll stab him in the stomach,â€� then I have an idea about how serious you are. After all, Leif’s stomach is his favorite body part so that’s a decent threat.”
― Maria V. Snyder , Ice Study

“I’m surprised you didn’t go after him.â€� And glad.
“I wanted to, but Ari stopped me.�
“Did he sit on you?� I teased. That earned me a smile.
“No. He used logic.�
“Yay for logic.�
“I better go and tell them you’re safe. They’re waiting with the guards.�
“The guards?�
“Yes, I insisted they remain there. It was difficult since Ari and Janco won’t let me go anywhere on my own.�
“That’s good. Stronger together, remember?�
He hesitated for a second, then said, “I need to tell Ari he was right.�
“It could be worse.�
Valek waited.
“It could be Janco who was right.�
“Ah, yes. That would be worse.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“Retire?â€� That was new.

“Someone has to change diapers while you’re saving the world, love.�

My heart melted over his willingness to retire for me and the baby. “Me? Save the world? So you’re a comedian and an expert diaper changer. Wow, did I hook a keeper or what?�

He bowed. “You have the total package.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“Please tell me you really didn’t think I’d set up such an obvious trap for you.â€�

“You took a contract to kill Yelena. That makes me question the level of your intelligence.�

“Fair enough.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study

“Any estimate on a timeline for the eviction, sir?â€� Adrik asked.

“I suspect things will get hot around the fire festival.�

“And if they don’t?�

“That means we failed, and they won.�

“You didn’t train us to fail, sir,â€� Pasha said. “And if we can’t fail, neither can you.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study

“While you’re checking the library, I’ll search Bain’s office. He might have had the same idea as us, and since he’s the First Magician, the library might have allowed him to borrow Master Magician Ellis Moon’s notes.â€�

“That’s a good idea.�

“Don’t sound so surprised, love. I might start to think you’re only interested in me for my body.�

“Did you say something? I was too busy staring at your muscular chest.�

“N¾±³¦±ð.&°ù»å±ç³Ü´Ç;
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study

“Valek wondered aloud if their bedroom exertions endangered the baby.

“No. Medic Mommy said we can have relations—those are her words, by the way, not mine—up until the last couple of weeks. However, I’ll be huge by then and probably resemble a turnip with legs. I doubt that you’d even want to have relations.�

He cupped her cheek. “You are more beautiful to me today than yesterday. Each day, when I think I can’t possibly love you any more than I already do, you prove me wrong. So I’m very confident that even if you turn into a turnip with legs, I will love and desire you.�

She turned and kissed him on the palm. “I love you, too.�

He nuzzled her neck, then nibbled on her ear. “Besides, turnips are my favorite vegetable.�

“Am I supposed to melt in your arms after that ³¦´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù?â€�

He pretended to be confused. “Turnips don’t melt.� Which earned him a hard smack on his arm. “Ow.� He rubbed his bicep.

“Any other comments?�

“You’re even beautiful when you’re annoyed.�

“Nice save.�

“The truth is easy, love.â€� He pulled her closer and breathed in her scent. Contentment filled him as he drifted to sleep.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study

“Dark shadows of grief haunted his expression, More than any one person should be asked to bear. No one ever asked for it. It arrived with its bags already packed for an extended stay. It settled into your best guest room and demanded to be waited on all day long, and when it finally shuffled out the door, it left behind permanent scratches on your furniture.”
― Maria V. Snyder

“He was right, I didn't need him, but I wanted him to be with me forever.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“Valek, you look like death warmed over. No, I take that back. It would be an insult to those who do look like death warmed over.”
― Maria V. Snyder, The Study of Magic