Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy #1)

by Jacqueline Carey

Surely if we knew what bitterness fate held in store, we would shrink back in fear and let the cup of life pass us by untasted.

I do not know if she wrestled, but of a surety she wielded a mean ladle, and had no compunctions about raising knots on the skull of any man to oppose her.

It is my fate, it seems, to fall privy to rare and splendid vistas in a state of exhaustion too profound to care.

I dug my fists into his hair and dragged his face down to mine, kissing him hard. “I love you,” I said fiercely, “and if you ever want to hear those words from my lips again, you will not choose this idiotic vow over your brother’s life!”