The Golden Lily (Bloodlines, #2)

by Richelle Mead

“Look,” I said. “You and Dimitri are two different people. You shouldn’t compare yourself to him. You shouldn’t try to be like him. I mean, I’m not going to sit here and rip him apart or anything. I like Dimitri. He’s smart and dedicated, insanely brave and ferocious. Good in a fight. And he’s just a nice guy.” Adrian scoffed. “You left out dreamy and ruggedly handsome.” “Hey, you’re pretty easy on the eyes too,” I teased, quoting something he’d told me a while ago. He didn’t smile. “And don’t underestimate yourself. You’re smart too, and you can talk yourself out of—and into—anything. You don’t even need magical charisma.” “So far I’m not seeing a lot of difference between me and a carnival con-man.” “Oh, stop,” I said. He could make me laugh even with the most serious of topics. “You know what I mean. And you’re also one of the most fiercely loyal people I know—and caring, no matter how much you pretend otherwise. I see the way you look after Jill. Not many people would’ve traveled across the country to help her. And almost no one would have done what you did to save her life.” Again, Adrian took a while to respond. “But what are loyal and caring really worth?” “To me? Everything.”