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Another series of booms sounded, and bursts of pink and green exploded in the sky above the Stave. The tourists cheered. They didn’t seem to notice that two of the explosions had come from the canal and had blown holes in the prow of one of the stadwatch boats, sending men scurrying for the sides and into the canal as the craft sank. Nicely done, Wylan. He’d bought them time—and done it without panicking the bystanders on the Stave.
Slay Wylan finally being useful
“Wylan?” she asked of the one closest to her. He broke into a grin, but it slipped sideways when he said, “Sorry about my father.” Inej pulled him into the hug and whispered, “We are not our fathers.”
STOP SO CUTE
“Isn’t that how things are done around here?” asked Wylan. “We all tell Kaz we’re fine and then do something stupid?” “Are we that predictable?” said Inej. Wylan and Matthias said in unison, “Yes.”
Lol they're so funny
“On one condition,” said Nina, arms crossed. “This is not a negotiation.”
“Everything is a negotiation with you, Brekker. You probably bartered your way out of the womb.
Lol nina youre so funny
“I would come for you,” he said, and when he saw the wary look she shot him, he said it again. “I would come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together—knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.”
As you should Kaz
But some part of him wanted Jesper and the others to keep believing that he’d left his father’s house intending to set up in the Barrel, that he’d chosen this life.
At what point did anyone think that…we been knew his dad kicked him to the curb, no?
“Nina, I am with you because you let me be with you. There is no greater honor than to stand by your side.”
Love a golden retriever man
“You aren’t a flower, you’re every blossom in the wood blooming at once. You are a tidal wave. You’re a stampede. You are overwhelming.”
Loveeeeee
… There is no one I want more; there is nothing I want more than to be overwhelmed by you.”
Slayyyyy
“In Fjerda,” he persisted, “I would have asked your parents for permission to walk out with you.” “I haven’t seen my parents since I was a child.” “We would have been chaperoned. I would have dined with your family at least three times before we were ever left alone together.” “We’re alone together now, Matthias.” “I would have brought you gifts.” Nina tipped her head to one side. “Go on.” “Winter roses if I could afford them, a silver comb for your hair.” “I don’t need those things.” “Apple cakes with sweet cream.” “I thought drüskelle didn’t eat sweets.” “They’d all be for you,” he said.
...more
STOP GET YOU A MAN THATS OBSESSED
alone. When had the other drüskelle decided Matthias was dead? Had it been Brum who had taken Trass north to the ice? The idea of his wolf left alone, howling for Matthias to come and take him home, carved a hollow ache in his chest. It felt like something had broken there and left an echo, the lonely snap of a branch too heavy with snow.
Stop thats so sad
“You knew,” he said, putting the pieces together. “You knew Wylan’s mother was alive.” “Wylan’s mother is alive?” said Nina. “Why do you think I let you two go to Olendaal?” Kaz said.
If only men were this smart in real life
Jesper, you’re tall, brown, and conspicuous—” “All synonyms for delightful.” “And that means you’ll have to be twice as careful.” “There’s always a price to be paid for greatness.”
Lollll i love Jesper
She’d taken Matthias with her and had emerged rumpled and rosy several long minutes later. “Staying on task?” Jesper couldn’t resist asking. “I’m teaching Matthias all about fun. He’s an excellent student. Diligent in his lessons.” “Nina—” Matthias warned. “Has problems with attitude. Shows room for improvement.”
AHHH SCREAMING SO CUTE
“Blooming,” he’d say, kissing her cheek. “Just like you, love.”
Maybe it's because i grew up in a dysfunctional household, but boy children being affectionate to mothers gross me out it's just too much of an incest vibe for me ugh
if my gifts can help people, then it’s my duty to use them.” “And what about our son? Do you owe him nothing? Your first duty is to stay safe so we don’t lose you.”
No so true priorities gotta change girl
But what if behind the righteousness that drove the drüskelle, there was something less clean or justified? What if it wasn’t even fear or anger but simply envy?
Yessss we love character development
“In and out without him ever knowing?” said Rotty. “I was half right,” growled Kaz.
I love the sarcastic banter throughout. It makes them feel like real people.
dressed in lime green and lemon
Um Jesper literally what kind of getup is that? You can't be badass and then show up as bootleg curious george
An old man wearing a plumed hat was leading them, and they were cawing at the top of their lungs—like crows. The Dregs, Kaz’s gang. They had turned on him.
NO FUCKING WAY
“Inej, I’m sorry—” “I didn’t come looking for an apology, Jesper. You have a weak spot. We all have weak spots.” “What’s yours?” “The company I keep,” she said with a slight smile.
Love the witty banter
“We say nothing. We know the slight was not deliberate. We live in tight quarters, traveling together. There’s no time to constantly be apologizing for existing. But when someone does wrong, when we make mistakes, we don’t say we’re sorry. We promise to make amends.” “I will.” “Mati en sheva yelu. This action will have no echo. It means we won’t repeat the same mistakes, that we won’t continue to do harm.”
I love Inej,s culture ugh she's a saint
“I’m dying anyway, Da. I’m just doing it slow.”
Slay jesper stand on business
“About as well as expected.” Matthias shook his head in something between admiration and disbelief. “How many lives do you have, demjin?”
Lollllll
“Maybe. But I’ve seen you manipulate metal. I’ve seen you direct it. What if you don’t miss because you’re directing your bullets too?”
Oop good point
In the end, he was not Nina or Matthias or Kaz or Inej or Jesper. He was just Wylan Van Eck. He told them everything.
WYLAN NO
jobs?” “Were you relying on Pekka Rollins’ men?” Kaz mused in a low rasp. “I—” “And are you sure they were Pekka’s men? If you’re not from the Barrel, you might find it hard to tell lions from crows.
SMART MEN ARE SO HOT
Matthias hadn’t thought they’d rough Wylan up quite so badly, though. Maybe he should have pretended to break sooner.
AHHHH IT WAS ALL PLANNED
The corner of Kaz’s mouth curled. “That, Kuwei, is the sound that death makes when she comes calling.”
She needed to locate Jesper. Kuwei Yul-Bo had to die tonight.
GIRL WHAT
“What did you just do?” asked Inej. Maybe nothing. Maybe the impossible. Jesper never could resist long odds. He shrugged. “The same thing I always do. I took a shot.”
Slayyyyy this is so well writtennnnn
You will see me once more, but only once. From the nervous bob of Van Eck’s throat, he was remembering too. Inej gave the smallest bow.
Slay queen
Kaz looked at Pekka Rollins, Jakob Hertzoon, kneeling before him at last, eyes wet with tears, pain carved into the lines of his flushed face. Brick by brick. It was a start.
Lolll Kaz you're so ruthles i love it
“I promise, Matthias. I’ll take you home.” “Nina,” he said, pressing her hand to his heart. “I am already home.” The light vanished from his eyes. His chest stilled beneath her hands.
Absolutely the fuck not
“Wait,” he said. The burn of his voice was rougher than usual. “Is my tie straight?”
