Ivy

“The Darkling would not hesitate. He would not grieve. His darkness would consume the world, and he would never waver.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone

“In the eerie, muffled silence of the water, he heard his mother's voice, vicious like a whip crack. She was always more of him, demanding it, and now she told him to fight. She spoke his true name, the one she only used when they trained, the name tattooed on his heart. A heart that had not stopped beating. A heart that still had life.”
― Leigh Bardugo, The Demon in the Wood

“She rose and brushed the hair back from his face. "You read the flow of power the way others chart tides," she marveled. "It will make you a great leader.”
― Leigh Bardugo, The Demon in the Wood

“After a long moment, he said, "Aleksander."
A little laugh escaped me. He arched a brow, a smile tugging at his lips. "What?"
"It's just so... common." Such an ordinary name, held by kings and peasants alike.
His smile deepened and he cocked his head to the side. It almost hurt to see him this way. "Will you say it?" he asked.
"Aleksander," I whispered.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Ruin and Rising