Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

“A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?â€� His eyes lit up.
“Want to see the scar? It’s cool.� He started pulling his shirt out of his pants.
“Janco,� Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.�
“But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?� Janco’s voice held mock horror.
“Because if you have I can’t give you your present.�
I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever�? Does that change if I become an official southerner?�
Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering.
“No,â€� Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic 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

“And what did you give him in return?"..."My heart.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I had to admit there was one good thing about staying in the south. Instead of being the only person with tan skin, I finally looked as if I belonged. Living in the north with the pale-skinned Ixians for so long, though, had not prepared me for such a variety of brown skin tones. Much to my embarrassment, I had found myself gawking at the deeper mahogany skin colors when we first entered Sitia.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I mulled over the implications and decided not to waste my time worrying about what everyone else thought, or to bother attempting to change their perceptions. My time at the Keep was just a stopover. Let them wonder.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I didn’t know whether to feel smart for figuring out Kiki’s advice, or feel like a simpleton for having a horse tell me the right thing to do”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I never laugh at a beautiful woman. I'd much rather laugh and dance with her.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Good food, fresh water, and an occasional sweet and someone to care for. That's what everyone should have. A simplistic and unrealistic view I knew, but it soothed me.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Are you real?â€� he asked. “Or just some cruel joke?â€�

“I’m real. A real simpleton, Valek. I should never have said…I should never have done…� I drew in a deep breath. “Forgive me, please?�

“Would you promise never to do it again?� he asked.

“Sorry, I can’t.�

“Then you certainly are real. A real pain in the ass, but that’s who I fell in love with.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Fire Study

“He was a she, but with the utter conviction that she should have been born a man. That cruel fate had chosen to burden him with a mutation that he had to overcome.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study

“I better get back. It’ll be dawn soon.â€� He rolled out of bed and began to dress. “Besides, I don’t want to be here when your boyfriend arrives.â€�

“Who?� I sat up.

“The blonde that follows your every move with his lovesick eyes,� Valek teased.

“Cahil?â€� I laughed, dismissing him. “He thought Janco was my heart mate. I think you should feel more jealousy toward my horse. She’s the one who has stolen my heart.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I said to Zitora. “With the proper training, you could escape from him. You wouldn’t last in a sparring match, but that’s not what self-defense is all about. Remember what I told you? Hit and—â€�

“Git!� Janco added. “Run like a bunny with a wolf on its tail. I see you’re passing our wisdom on, Yelena.� Janco turned to Zitora, and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “She was trained by the very best instructors in all of Ixia.�

“Another rule of self-defense is never believe everything you hear,â€� Ari said when Zitora appeared to be impressed by Janco’s words.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I think you’re being melodramatic.â€�
“Aren’t you like the pot calling the kettle black or something?� I asked.
“Pardon me, oh great one. I forgot my place as a mere footnote in the history of Sitia.�
Talk about being melodramatic.
“Is he—�
I cut Devlen off. “Annoying? Yes, all the time.�
He studied Leif. “You are more...subdued at our house.�
“That’s ’cause I’m too busy keeping your daughter out of trouble.�
“I take it Reema has Leif wrapped around her little finger?� I asked Devlen.
“Hey,� Leif said.
“Yes. He needs a child of his own to learn how to not give in to her every demand.�
I agreed. “That would certainly mature him. Unless it backfires and Leif regresses. Then poor Mara would have two children to deal with.�
“I’m standing right here, ya know.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Shadow Study

“Did you send a message?â€�
“No time.�
“Couldn’t you at least lie to me?�
“Oh. Uh...I did send a message, and now the entire Ixian army is camped outside this compound.�
“You’re a lousy liar.�
“My one flaw,� she joked.
“One?� Janco choked. “I know at least a dozen. You’re terrible at avoiding capture, following orders—�
“I can say the same for you. What part of ‘wait for me before you go insideâ€� didn’t you understand?”
― Maria V. Snyder, Shadow Study

“He wanted to name the horse we’re taking with us ‘Beach Bunny,â€� after some stuffed rabbit he had growing up, and I said it was a stupid name for a horse. Then he claimed, if it was his horse, he could name it anything he wanted, and I said he should ride The Madam because she’s the easiest to handle, and—â€�

“You offended his pride and he stalked away in a huff,� Yelena finished.

â€Ô¨³Ü±è.&°ù»å±ç³Ü´Ç;
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“The Commander’s lying is a more...recent event.â€�
“But he didn’t tell you about Owen.�
“Oh, he’s kept things from me before, but he’s never looked me in the eye and lied.�
“What changed?� she asked.
What indeed? “I suspect a few things.�
“Such as?�
“Not here, love. Janco’s far more interested in our conversation than his dreams.�
“Am not,� Janco said, not in the least embarrassed he’d been caught eavesdropping. “Besides, I don’t have dreams, I have nightmares.�
Before Janco could launch into a detailed description, Valek said, “Then we’ll let you get back to them.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“She’s a tough clam to pry open. I’ve a feeling, though, once we do, we’ll find a pearl.â€�
“Pearls form in oysters.�
“Oysters, clams...â€� He waved dismissively. “It’s all seafood. You know what I meant.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“I stood in time to get knocked back into my seat by her flying hug. “I’ve missed you, too.â€� She clutched me tight. “Can’t...breathe.â€�

Releasing me, she laughed. “That’s my necklace-snake move. I clamp on and squeeze until the person passes out. Do you like it?�

“It’s very effective.�

She beamed.

“Did you invent it or—�

“Lacole taught me. She said since I’m small, my best defense in hand to hand is to clamp on and not let go.�

“Death by hug. I love it,� Janco said.

“Which explains why no one wants to date you,â€� Onora muttered.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night 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

“Ah, just like old times,â€� Janco said. “Oh, wait. What am I saying? It’s just like almost every time I’m with you, Yelena. Don’t you get tired of being arrested all the time?â€�

“You’re exaggerating,� I said.

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot about our last mission. We weren’t locked up, just tied down. My mistake.�

“Give it a rest, Janco,� Ari said.

“Yeah, well, it seems every time I’m in Sitia, I’m thrown into jail. Do you think they’ll stamp my frequent-visitor card? I think I get a prize if I’ve been in them all.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Night Study

“Are you all right?â€� I asked Leif.

He sat up and glanced nervously at Valek. “That depends.�

“Don’t worry about him, he’s overprotective.�

Valek harrumphed. “If you could keep out of trouble for one day, protecting you wouldn’t be so instinctive.â€� He rubbed his leg. “Or so painful.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Did you learn anything else?â€� I asked Valek.

“Yes. Finding clothes when you’re half naked is harder than you think. And scared horses can travel pretty far in the wrong direction before you find them.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Fire 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

“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

“We’ll visit, of course. Someone has to teach the kid how to get away with stuff that you won’t let him or her do.â€�

I glanced at Valek. “Remind me to never leave Janco alone with our child.�

“H±ð²â!â€�

We all ignored him.

“And we’ll drop everything and come if you need us,� Ari said.

“Unless you need us to change diapers. Then forget it.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Study