House of the Beast Quotes

“I always knew this story wouldn't have a happy ending. But still, I wanted to dream, for a while.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“I hate you," I told him.
He smiled at me one last time. "Liar," he said. "My sullen, cowardly, softhearted liar. You were the worst of the worst, Alma, and I loved you anyway.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“My monster, my friend, my prince from the stars, my Aster was gone.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“I wish," I began, but didn't know how to continue.
"Me too," he said simply, and rested his forehead against mine.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“The monster reached for her, this girl who was as bitter and frightened as he was, and she reached back.
She gave him a name. She imagined him charming, so he learned how to make her laugh; she imagined him beautiful, so he left behind the old memories of his twisted flesh body, only keeping his mother's moonlight hair- the last remnant of a dynasty no one else remembered. He had finally found a home away from the cold and empty graveyard of his mind.
He had found his friend again.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Don't die," I grunted, planting my weight against him to hold him up. "I'd feel really bad if you do."
"I hope the guilt haunts you to your grave," he grunted in response, but managed to get his feet back under him.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“If anyone had seen me, if anyone knew at all that I had just kissed an elder god, I would be strung up from the city walls for blasphemy.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Before I could doubt myself, I stepped up to him quickly and pecked him on the cheek.
His eyes were wide when I pulled back. He touched tentative fingers up to the spot where my mouth had met his skin. "Alma. Did you...?"
"I'm just saying thank you," I snapped, already turning away. My face was surely aflame.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Wait," Aster called behind me, stumbling to catch up. "Alma, wait! That's not fair, you took me by surprise. Give me some warning next time."
"There will not be a next time."
"Don't say that," he wheedled.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“You're with me?" I asked.
"There's nowhere else I'd be," said Aster.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Let's get you ready to kick some ass.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“My father may have men," I said, "but I have a god at my side.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Men are greedy- especially men like him," Aster answered. "They believe they are owed the world and see nothing wrong with taking what they like whenever they like, and those who oppose them simply don't understand.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Aster's gaze snapped to the statue of the Lady/ "What the- now you're looking at other gods!" he gasped in mock offense, crowding into my space. "Aren't I enough for you?”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“You don't think that I can care? That I can love?"
"I know you can't," I said.
"Maybe you're special." He leaned in a little, his eyes soft and earnest, like he could not help but be drawn into my presence. "The first to ever touch my cold, dead heart.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Once, I had asked him desperately, "Aren;t you tired of being turned down?"
Aster had only smiled. "You are already mine. No matter your cold words, or how you brush me away, you know it as well as I. I already have you.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Would you like to kiss me for real?"
Sometimes it killed me to say no.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“I belong to you only. I always have.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Don't you remember?" he said, his wide smile dimpling his cheeks and lighting him up even further. "You used to call me Aster."
Aster. The boy from the stars. Of course I remembered. How could I have forgotten?
"All right, Aster," I said, squeezing his hand, feeling his fingers wrap sweetly around my own. "Let's be friends.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Why would you choose me?" I sputtered. "There are others... what about Kaim?"
"I much prefer you."
I wanted to snort. "Don't lie to me."
"I'm not."
"You must be," I stated with passion. "No one wants me. I hurt people. I had a great mother, and I let her die." My lips wobbled, but I took a deep breath and bulled on: "I'm the worst of the worst."
"My silly Alma." His smile was very indulgent. I wanted to wipe it off his face, violently. "The worst of the worst is exactly what I need.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“You're not alone, Alma. I've always been with you, and I always will be, so long as you want me.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“I would rather lose my arm than lose my mother.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“Instead, I imagined someone who would love me even if I was terrible.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast

“I was still lonely.
So, I made myself a friend.
I decided that he would be a prince. One who had been banished from a far-off land, as much an outcast as I. He was more beautiful than any boy from Merey, with hair like moonlight and eyes like stars. He was sweet and charming and always knew how to make me smile, and he was devoted to me wholly.”
― Michelle Wong, House of the Beast