The Captive Maiden Quotes

“God wants us all to strive to grow more like Jesus, to become holy as he is holy, but God has a specific purpose for each person. How could it not be so? Everyone in a village cannot be a baker, because who would then make the candles or shoe the horses or grow the food? God says we are like a body. . . . Just as the villagers are part of a village and have different tasks, we all have tasks to do for the Lord God.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“You tried to kill me with your dagger,” Valten said calmly. “I can get you disqualified from this tournament.” “Are you threatening me?” “Yes.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Some children at one of his tournaments in Burgundy had taken to calling him "Goliath". Not the most endearing biblical character.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“For a man of action and few words, the ones he did say were quite lovely.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Promise me that if you get a chance to escape without me, you will do it. He won't kill me. Go find your men and come back for me."
His eyelids and brows lowered. " You don't know me very well or you wouldn't say such a thing. I won't leave you.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“He bent lower to whisper in her ear," I love you, queen of beauty and love.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“You are brave and strong and good, noble and kind. I love you and I think you're...”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“She whispered, "Even with a broken hand, you are the knight I'd most want and trust to rescue me-and I know you can do it. You are the boldest, bravest, most noble knight in the Holy Empire.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“What had his life meant? All his success, all the tournaments he'd won...they were like dust and ashes. Meaningless. Without Gisela, his life was meaningless.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Every eye was on her, including her stepmother’s and stepsisters’, she thought absently. But Gisela only had eyes for Valten.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“But I do care. The truth is, I love you.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“The fierce look on his face softened to the look he wore for no one but her.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Don’t think I couldn’t see the love in his eyes when he looked at you. He would have fought to the death for you, that handsome Valten Gerstenberg.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Valten turned and grasped Gisela around the waist to help her down. She placed her hands on his shoulders and he set her on her feet, but slowly. After all, when one has a pleasant task to do, there’s no reason to rush it.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“But I must say that I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at you tonight.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Gisela wanted to say something. “Of course. Be careful.” Dumb. Of course he won’t be careful. He’s jousting.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“He gave her a questioning lift of his eyebrows and held out his right arm. “May I? Wear your colors?”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Valten took a step toward the tent and stopped. He turned back to Gisela, and the look in his gray-green eyes gentled instantly. His jaw relaxed, and her breath hitched in her throat at the sudden transformation.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“You like horses?” “More than people sometimes.” She sensed, by the way he was looking at her, that he felt the same way.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Valten turned to face her and she threw her arms around him again. We have to get out of here, his mind told him, but he decided he had enough time for another kiss. And Gisela obviously agreed.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Her lips were suddenly on his again, and he lost his balance and almost fell backward off the bench. Now that he’d finally been able to kiss her, she apparently liked it. He had thought she would take off his blindfold first, but he wasn’t about to complain.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“I see there’s more cooking out here than the pheasant.” Valten leaned over to turn the roasting birds on the spit and mumbled, “Not anymore.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“He leaned toward her. Her eyes wavered closed just as his lips touched her forehead. His lips were warm on her skin. His hand slipped behind her neck, and he turned slightly and kissed her temple. She was afraid to move, afraid to breathe, for fear she would ruin the moment and he would stop. Someone cleared his throat behind them. Gisela froze. A low growling sound came from Valten’s throat as he pulled away, but he kept his hand behind her neck. Her face burned as she realized Friar Daniel had seen Valten kissing her.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Well, he would share her, but only for a little while. When the ball was over, he would make sure she slept inside the castle tonight, with his sister Margaretha. In fact, he might just make sure she never left the castle. He didn’t intend for her to ever be without protection again.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Valten’s hand tightened around Gisela arm, and he grunted in frustration. He brushed his finger over her cheek and whispered, “We will continue this conversation later.” “Yes, my lord.” The mischievous twinkle in her eye almost made him kiss her anyway, even though Rainhilda was staring at them from the Great Hall door.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“When he reached her, he put his hand on her shoulder and searched her face in the dim light. “Valten.” She said his name on a happy sigh as she looked into his eyes. He put his arms around her, pulling her against his chest.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Valten paced the floor of the library, imagining the violence he would wreak on the person responsible for hurting Gisela.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Valten turned and stomped back to the Great Hall. He just might put his unbroken hand through someone’s face, if given the slightest bit of provocation.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“She danced as if nothing had ever made her so happy. She smiled as if it was only for him. He hoped those smiles meant she liked him, because he hoped to dance only with her at the ball tomorrow night.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden

“Is that your scarf the duke’s son is wearing?” Cristyne stared at Gisela with wide eyes. Gisela forced herself to breathe. “It is.” Cristyne said her name in a slow, awed whisper. “Gisela.”
― Melanie Dickerson, The Captive Maiden