A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3)

by Sarah J. Maas

My goal was bigger than revenge. My purpose greater than personal retribution.

“Probably. Though this mortal mind did manage to solve Amarantha’s riddle—and destroy her.”

To be fair the riddle was cake

“I debated slitting your throat this morning,” I told her. “I debated it all last night while you slept beside me. I’ve debated it every single day since I learned you sold out my sisters to Hybern.” I smiled a bit. “But I think this is a better punishment. And I hope you live a long, long life, Ianthe, and never know a moment’s peace.”

“So considerate. Though I can’t believe you kicked everyone out of the house so you could take me to bed.” “One of the many benefits to being High Lord.” “What a terrible abuse of power.”

War would linger with me long after it had ended, some invisible scar that would perhaps fade, but never wholly vanish. But for my home, for Prythian and the human territory and so many others … I would clean my blades, and wash the blood from my skin. And I would do it again and again and again.

If he was the sweet, terrifying darkness, I was the glittering light that only his shadows could make clear.

“Whatever you’re saying mind to mind, either share it or go to another room so we don’t have to sit here, stewing in your scents.”

“Because Tamlin ran right back to Hybern after your meeting ended this morning.

Absolute dickhead

I understood why the Suriel had come to help me, again and again. Not just for kindness … but because it was a dreamer.

“Your guts were hanging out, you stupid prick,” Rhys snapped. “Az held them in for you.”

And none of us dared to speak as Varian dropped to his knees before Amren’s chair, took her shocked face in his broad hands, and kissed her soundly.

Called it

But I did remember lying down on the bearskin rug once it was done. How I felt Elain’s slim body settle next to mine and curl into my side, careful not to touch the bandaged wound in my shoulder. I had not realized how cold I was until her warmth seeped into me. A moment later, another warm body nestled on my left. Nesta’s scent drifted over me, fire and steel and unbending will.

I didn’t know how long my sisters and I lay there together, just like we had once shared that carved bed in that dilapidated cottage. Then—back then, we had kicked and twisted and fought for any bit of space, any breathing room. But that morning, as the sun rose over the world, we held tight. And did not let go.

The Nephelle Philosophy indeed. The weakness that had transformed into a strength hadn’t been my wings, my flying. But Tamlin. If he hadn’t interfered … I didn’t let myself consider.

“Because I prefer females.”

Called it

I would have waited five hundred more years for you. A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have … The wait was worth it.

Tamlin just shook his head, loathing simmering in his green eyes, and walked past. Not a word.

What a crybaby