Magic Study Quotes

“Living is a risk,” I snapped at him. “Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you’re taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“He made a weak attempt to look innocent, but I knew better. 'Should I guess how many concealed weapons you have or should I strip search you?'

'A strip search is the only way to be absolutely certain.' Valek's deep blue eyes danced with delight.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Why did Mother ask you to help me rescue Gelsi?” I asked Leif.

“She thought I could assist you in some way. Instead, I had tried to—”

“Kill me? You can join the ‘I Want to Kill Yelena Guild.’ I hear they have six members in good standing. Valek is president since he had wanted to kill me twice.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Another relative?” Valek asked.

A broad smile stretched Moon Man’s lips. “Yes. I am her mother’s uncle’s wife’s third cousin.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Many have tried to kill us. All have failed.
-Valek”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Your mother sounds like a formidable woman," Valek said into the silence.
"You have no idea," Leif replied with a sigh.
"Well, if she's anything like Yelena, my deepest sympathies," Valek teased.
"Hey!"
Leif laughed and the tense moment dissipated.
Valek handed Leif his machete. "Do you know how to use it?"
"Of course. I chopped Yelena's bow into firewood," Leif joked.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“When I carved this, my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. With me.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Don't worry. I'm only your escort tonight. I would offer to protect you from the drunken attentions of the other men, but I know all to well that you're quite capagble of holding your own. You're probably armed. Right?"
Always.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Pushing magic toward the candle, I willed it to light. Nothing happened.

Irys made a strangled sound and the candle burned. “Are you directing your magic to the candle?”

“Yes. Why?”

“You just ordered me to light the candle for you,” Irys said in exasperation. “And I did it.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I’ll have you know that the most delicate flowers often produce the strongest scent when crushed.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Don't feel ashamed for having those feelings and those memories. What happened in the past can't be changed, but they can be a guide for what happens in the future.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Her amber eyes burned into mine with all the hate and loathing she could muster. Underneath, though, she was terrified. Hate and loathing didn't bother me, but fear was a powerful emotion. Fear causes the dog to bite and Roze was one bitch.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I'd wish you luck, but I don't think it would help.'
'Why not?'
'My lady, you make your own luck.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“How did you—”
“Fool your guards? They’re not very good. They forgot to check the ceiling for spiders.” Valek grinned. His angular face softened. Startled, I realized he wasn’t in disguise. “This is dangerous.”
“I knew falling for you was dangerous, love.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?” His eyes lit up.
“Want to see the scar? It’s cool.” He started pulling his shirt out of his pants.
“Janco,” Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.”
“But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?” Janco’s voice held mock horror.
“Because if you have I can’t give you your present.”
I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever’? Does that change if I become an official southerner?”
Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering.
“No,” Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Trust, Kiki said, Trust is peppermints.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“You look like hell,' he said to me in a low voice.

'Gee, Dax, don’t coat it with honey. Tell me what you really think,' I said.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“In the end, only Leif believed that you were still alive. He thought you might be hiding somewhere, playing a game. As the rest of us grieved, Leif searched the jungle for you day after day.”
“When did he finally stop?” I asked.
“Yesterday.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Bad dreams are ghosts of our fears and worries, haunting us while we sleep. I doubt Valek is in trouble.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I gave him a bored look. I had been threatened many times before and had learned that the men who didn’t make verbal threats were the most dangerous.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“He pulled my arm out to expose my bracelet. "When I carved this, my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. With me." His sapphire eyes held a promise. - Valek”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“If you don’t come back to the Keep, then I’ll be right. And every time you see me, I’ll be insufferably smug.”
“And how’s that different from now?” He laughed and I could see the young carefree boy he had been in his eyes. “You’ve only had a small glimpse of how insufferable and annoying I can be. As the older brother, it’s my birthright.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Your fear remains strong. You are not ready to face your story, preferring instead to surround yourself with knots. Someday, they will strangle you.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Pretty stupid,” I called after his retreating form. “To give up before all possible solutions have been tried.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Do you really want to know why you lost?” I asked.
“Do you really have an answer?” he countered.
“You need to get off your horse and run with your men. You don’t have the stamina for a long fight. And find a lighter sword.”
“But it was my uncle’s.”
“You’re not your uncle.”
“But I’m the King, and this is the King’s sword,” Cahil said. His brows creased together. He seemed confused.
“So wear it to your coronation,” I said. “If you use it in battle, you’ll be wearing it to your funeral,” I said.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“I wanted to dissolve into the floor, mixing myself with the hard stone. A stone had a single purpose: to be. No complicated promises, no worries and no feelings.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Unfortunately, diplomacy was a dance I needed to learn.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“Should haves lead to death”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“In keeping with his cryptic nature, all your Story Weaver said was 'The horses know where to go.' It's certainly not a military strategy I would use, but I've learned that the south uses its own strategy. And, strangely enough, it works.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study