Empire of Night Quotes

“Guin rode a few paces in thoughtful silence before continuing, "I suppose they thought I would take measures to prevent pregnancy. However, to do such a thing requires knowing that it exists. I don't know if the situation has changed, but in my time, one certainly did not discuss those matters with girls." Another thoughtful pause. "Though it would seem, since they are most affected, they ought to know."
"Yes," Ashyn said. "They ought.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“I've done something wrong," Ronan grumbled as he shoved his spare tunic into his pack.
"You know you haven't." Ashyn handed him his sleeping blanket.
"See? Even you're trying to get rid of me. I've done something."
She sighed. "Yes, Ronan, you have. I'm sorry, but it must be said. You've committed a grave offence. You wouldn't go back to check on your brother and sister until Tyrus put his boot to your arse."
His brows lifted at her choice of words. Just because she rarely used strong language did not mean she did not know it. In fact, she'd wager her vocabulary for profanity exceeded his own. That's what came of extensive reading ... and growing up around warriors and traders.
"You know Tyrus is right," she continued. "You ought to check on them, and you want to check on them. You just needed ..."
"A kick in the arse?"
"Exactly." She rolled dried fruit and meat in a cloth.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“Blast him," Ronan hissed as they surveyed the empty space behind the roadside shop. "He may tell us not to treat him as a prince, but he cannot stop acting like one. He does as he pleases."
"Only when it's in my best interests," Tyrus said as he rounded the shop.
Ronan glowered. "Which is anytime you don't like what you're told to do."
Tyrus grinned. "True.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“They say all roads led to the imperial city. Of course that was true - all roads linked up with other roads and would ultimately take you anyplace you wished to go. This road did in fact become the Imperial Way, though, and was busy enough that they could follow Tyrus unnoticed.
"Oh, he's noticed," Ronan said when Ashyn commented.
"But he hasn't looked back once."
"No, we haven't seen him look back. He's a prince and a warrior, Ash. He's not going to glance about like a nervous trader with a full purse. He acts as if no one would dare attack him, so they give him a wide berth. But he's fully aware of his surroundings. He knows we're here. He's jut not going to do anything about it unless we come closer.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“Faith was a strange thing, Moria reflected as she walked over to Tyrus. No one would argue that the ancestors did not watch over them and could not influence the living world, but customs changed, and openly calling on spirits for support and guidance these days was often seen as a sign of weakness. Which was foolish, in her opinion. Whether an amulet band worked or not, it couldn't hurt. As their father would say, what often counted was whether one believed such protective rituals worked. Confidence in battle guarded one more than any spirit could.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“The mummy twitched. This time, both Ronan and Tyrus leaped on it, blades slashing. Ronan severed an arm. Tyrus cleaved the corpse clean in half, the legs falling free. Yet the thing was already in flight, hurtling itself at Moria ... who skewered it on the end of her outthrust dagger. She held it there, casually, as the mummy gnashed its teeth and clawed with its remaining arm.
"Need some help with that?" Tyrus asked.
"No, it's remarkably light. That must be a result of the drying process."
"And the fact it's missing three limbs."
"True."
Ashyn cast a nervous glance at the huddled monks, now shifting and looking their way. "We ought to lower our voices. Or be more respectful. It is a monk, after all."
"Mmm, not truly," Moria said. "It's only part of a monk." She caught Ashyn's look. "Yes, I know. Give me a hand getting it free.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“Tyrus pushed the mummy off him and rose, whisking sloughed bits of dried flesh from his tunic.
"Well, that wasn't at all humiliating," he said. "Please tell me I didn't shriek. And if I did? Remember I am of imperial lineage. Lie to me."
"You didn't shriek," Moria said. "Still, it is a shame Simeon wasn't here to record the encounter for posterity. Prince Tyrus, attacked by a mummified monk. Truly though, it looked more like a monkey. A crazed monkey, clinging to you -"
"Enough," he said with a feigned scowl. "Speaking of monks, did they see ...?"
He looked around. Ivo had sidled off as they opened the box. Now he huddled with the other two a hundred paces away.
"Well, at least they didn't bear close witness," Tyrus muttered.
"You needn't worry," Ashyn said. "Two of them had taken vows of silence."
"Though they might have been tempted to break them," Moria said. "To relay that particular story."
"But I did not shriek, correct?"
She smiled. "You did not shriek.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“So what are the other routes?"
His lips curved. "Did I say there were any?"
"You implied it."
"Perhaps. And the next time you wish to leave, you have only to tell me, and I will show you ... and go with you."
"I'm quite safe in the city."
"But is the city safe when you are in it? That's the question.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“So, we're discussing the issue of Fairview."
"No, we are not. This is a private conversation."
Ronan sputtered and shot her looks of alarm. She ignored him. She'd spent enough time with Tyrus to take liberties - and to know he'd allow them, even enjoyed the informality.
"How can the meeting be private," Tyrus said. "If you're holding it in a public place?"
"Because I don't have a private place. Not even my suite. I was bathing yesterday and a maidservant brought in fresh towels."
"They're very attentive."
"Which is fine. Just not while I'm bathing."
Tyrus grinned. "I don't mind them."
She rolled her eyes.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“Take off that cloak before you melt," he said. "It wasn't disguising you."
"Nor is that" - she waved at his peasant outfit - "disguising you."
"It isn't supposed to. It merely conveys the message that I'm attempting to pass incognito."
"That makes absolutely no sense.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night

“Ronan sighed. " You have no gift for the art of conversation, Moria. All right. I take it Ashyn is well, Please tell her ..." He struggled long enough for words that Moria sighed with impatience.
"I'll tell her you send your undying love and cannot wait to see her gentle face again."
From the look on Ronan's face, you'd think she'd suggested telling Ashyn he wished her a slow and tortured death.
"Fine," she said. "I'll tell her you asked after her and that it would be pleasant to speak with her, once she is permitted to do so."
"Yes, thank you. I have great regard for your sister, but she is a Seeker, and I have good reason for not ..."
Moria peered at him. "Not what?"
"I ... have great regard for your sister."
"Yes, yes, you said that. I didn't come to play matchmaker.”
― Kelley Armstrong, Empire of Night