Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #3)

by Mark Lawrence

She read, this one, for her opinions weren’t ones that could be formed on what others might think it safe to teach.

I had few men around me that would speak honestly and tell me if they thought me wrong. I had only one man who I couldn’t order, who at the very last would twist my head off rather than obey against his instinct. Everyone needs somebody like that around sometimes.

Strange to say that we’re born to our mothers’ cursing but ever after they think the young have tender ears and can hear only what might be said in church.