Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, #3)

by Kristin Cashore

for a group of people who claimed to be concerned for her safety, they did seem to have developed rather a habit of encouraging uprisings against monarchs.

why must they both create their worlds by destroying?

he left us unable to remember some things and unable to forget others.

“If you weren’t in trouble about the crown thing,” she said, “would you still go away?” The question made his eyes softer. “Yes.” She had known the answer before she’d asked. But hearing it still hurt. “My turn,” he said. “Would you stop being the queen for me?” “Of course not.” “There, now,” he said. “We’ve both asked each other the same question.” “We haven’t.” “Have too,” he said. “You asked me to stay, and I asked you to come with me.”

Bitterblue understood that this was always how it would be. Katsa would come and then Katsa would go. But the hug was real, and lasting, even though it would end. The coming was as real as the going, and the coming would always be a promise. It would have to be good enough.