Defiant Quotes

“Are you sure you want me? You don’t know half the things I’ve done.” She rumbled, nudged him, and met him right in the eye again. She looked at him across their bond too, taking in all of him, or what was left of him. Then, her eyes open in every respect, she said, “Try me.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“As the enemy closed upon Redbarrow, Osric gave himself permission to let the monster out.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Challenge from friends makes us stronger. Only enemies seek to dominate.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Talia gave him a message to pass on. A servant out of his depth once told her that if you love with your eyes, death is forever. If you love with your heart, there is no such thing as parting.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“The flute sounded rich and mellow now. It spoke of confidence and security. Compared to the frightened loneliness of Ash’s early song, this made Holt’s heart swell with relief and pride. What had once been delicate harp notes had aged as well, still otherworldly in their origin, yet now filled with a power of their own. It was the song of a young stag from a kingly line stepping comfortably through his domain at night, a song to rouse lost souls in the dark and give them the courage to find their way home.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Night is our time,” Ash said, and Holt recalled powerful memories in the old mucker’s hut when they’d only had the stars and each other for company. Now stars also twinkled in the nightscape of Ash’s core. Even as Holt observed them, some rearranged themselves, growing bold and bright to form a constellation. Silver lines joined the starry points”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Dastet dard nakone,” Adaskar said to thank him. In reply, the Archon presented his palms to show they were unharmed. Such a gesture was usually only made by Aharis speaking to each other. Translated literally, the Ahari, ‘Thank you’ came out as ‘May your hands not hurt.’ A display of clean, uninjured hands signaled, ‘It was no trouble at all.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Wood and stone matters not. It’s your flight that matters. Where they fly, that is home.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“What word pottage was this?”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“His dragon's ability to let go of her hatred only impressed upon him again that he didn't deserve her.
'I'll take you anyways,' she had said.
'Why?' he croaked aloud. 'After all I did, why take me?'
'Because you protected me, and I know you always will.' She nodded to the brute. 'I'm glad I was able to defend you for once.'
'Is that what you think? That only I benefit from this?' He moved so that he could face her, looking into those purple eyes that had led him back through the dark. 'You saved me that day at Windshear, too. You've saved me a little every day since. I need you just as much. If anything, I need you more.'
Her eyes welled with affection, and their bond pushed outward, expanding visibly, and through Osric's soul still stabbed with pain, it was nothing like before.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Adaskar fell to his knees, He couldn't speak. Half-crawling, he managed to reach Azarin's snout and pulled himself up enough so his dragon could see him.
'You can fight it.'
'We cannot defeat...death.'
Adaskar tried to speak, but all that came out was a blubbering sob. He fell forward, pressing himself against Azarin and rubbing his scales. All their warmth was fleeing him.
'You must be strong.'
That broke him. 'Dooset doram, Azarin. Dooset doram.'
'I love you too.'
Azarin's last breath stretched out into a soft sigh, almost peaceful. The remnants of their golden bridge collapsed.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“He was his own worst critic, but he could admit one good thing about himself, the soldier, the general, the monster; when he decided on a thing, it got done. Do the job and do it well.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Joy surged through him. Holt threw himself forward and took Aberanth in a fierce embrace. “Oh, I say!” Aberanth tried to wriggle free, but Holt was too strong for him, so the dragon settled with a growling groan. “Better get used to it. You don’t need to be so guarded around us. We’ve been through too much for that.” “Hmph,” Aberanth said, plainly uncomfortable but no longer wriggling. He raised one of his bark-skin wings to pat Holt on the back. “There, there.” From anyone else, it would have been patronizing, but for Aberanth, it was akin to a declaration of love. Holt squeezed harder. “Holt,” Aberanth squeaked. “Yeh?” “You’re crushing me.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Talia’s right side trembled. Her hip felt on fire. The pain from her left calf was less, though still there. As a rider, she could push through pain, but her body worked like any other – cut enough of her strings and she would crumple.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“Shut him up,” Sigmar called, and one of Fynn’s guards slammed a gauntleted fist into his stomach. Fynn crumpled, making a pained wheeze. The guard raised his foot. Talia stepped forward, declaring, “Lay another hand on my husband and I’ll rip off the offending limb.” The guard wisely lowered his foot.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant

“that perhaps beyond the final boundary, there was, in fact, another, then another, ever advancing until one became power itself and joined to the world song.”
― Michael R. Miller, Defiant