The Fallen Kingdom Quotes

“He loved you so much that when you died, he might as well have died with you.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“One day, you’ll tell people the story of the faery king and the human girl. And how he watched from afar as she lived out twenty thousand human days. And if she listened closely during winter, when the wind was cold and the nights were longest, she could hear him whisper that he cherished her so much he was willing to give her the world.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“He's in my heart and I'm in his. And I think it’s going to destroy us both.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Let me tell you a story,” I say instead. “Once upon a time, there was a girl whose life was saved by the faery king—”

“This story sounds distinctly familiar. I think I might have heard it somewhere before.”

I shush him and say not to interrupt. “If anyone asked her how she felt about the king, she would have said she loathed him. He ruthlessly trained her to fight his own kind. He taught her to kill. She learned from his lessons how to quiet the rage that burned inside her. But she had already decided that one day, when she had grown strong enough and learned everything she could about battle, she was going to murder him.”

Kiaran goes still, his eyes glittering in the darkness. He says nothing.

“Her opportunity came one night when he decided she was ready to hunt her first faery. It was a skriker that had been terrorizing a nearby village, slaughtering children in the night. The king handed the girl his sword and ordered her to kill the goblin-like creature.

“She barely won. But in the end, as she thrust the sword deep into the monster’s gut, she felt something so profoundly that she thought it would consume her. So she told the king. She whispered the words and meant them with every part of her rage-filled soul: ‘I hate you. I hate all of you.’ When she lifted the sword again, she intended to pierce it right through his heart.

“That was the first time the girl had ever seen the faery king smile.”

I lift my hand and press my palm to Kiaran’s cheek. “You’ll have to finish the story. She never knew why he smiled. Just that one day, she wanted to see him do it again. So she dropped the sword and spared his life. And she never told the king what really happened that night.”

Kiaran looks amused. “The king knew the girl’s plan all along. He smiled because he decided he liked her. She kept things interesting.”

I stare at him. “So the faery king is a deranged sort. As the girl always suspected.”

“How about his side of this story?” He pulls me close, his lips soft on my shoulder. “He never told the girl that during a hunt, when she ran alongside him with the wind in her hair and the moonlight behind her, that she was the most magnificent thing he had ever seen and he wanted her.”

Then Kiaran’s hands are in my hair, lips brushing mine. “And when the king watched her in battle, she’d look over at him with a smile and he desired her.

“It was never at once,” he continued. “It was after everything they had gone through and then it was the king and the girl facing an entire army together. And he knew the truth. His heart was hers. It always was. It always will be.”

A shadow crosses Kiaran’s irises. A reminder that he’s still fighting. Just to be here. With me. He shuts his eyes, expression strained. Before I can ask if he’s all right, he pulls me against him and holds me close.

His next words are spoken under his breath, so low I wonder if I heard them at all. “The girl helps the king keep his darkness at bay.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“The price you pay for truth is knowledge.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“What does that make me, when a faery is capable of more humanity than I am?”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“I hate this," I mutter.
"Really? I'm having a grand time," Aithinne says brightly.
"That's because you're barmy."
"I believe you just mispronounced 'magnificent'.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“You're back! You're alive!... Such a magnificent murderous glare you have... I love it. Teach me. - Aithinne”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“This is a dream,” I say.

He laughs and the sound is so lovely. “It’s not a dream.”

“I killed you.” My chest aches and my voice trembles when I add, “You’re dead.”

“And you were dead twice,” he reminds me. “I think I should have at least two more chances before you refuse to believe it’s me.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Are you all right?” I whisper uncertainly.

“Fine.” He shakes his head once, and then the tension leaves his body. “I’m fine. Don’t finish your sentence yet. It’s going to lead to me slaughtering things.”

“You like slaughtering things.”

“Compared to this? No.” He touches me again, his fingers grazing my arm. Tentative, hesitant. When I tell him he’s usually the practical one, he replies, “It must be your influence. I’m actually about to make several suggestions, and all of them are impractical.”

I smile. “Ooh, several suggestions, is it? My, my. Impractical Kiaran MacKay is . . . dare I say it? Adorable.”

Kiaran looks at me in disgust. “I am not.”

“You are and you don’t even know it. Adorable.”

“Adorable is something we call foolish humans right before we kill them.”

“Adorable is what we call adult men who love to cuddle and swear on their lives that they don’t.” Kiaran makes a sound in his throat. “You can growl at me all you want. I know your weaknesses, MacKay. Cuddling. Neck kisses. That ticklish spot just above your—”

I laugh as he grabs me around the waist and pulls me against him. He kisses me fiercely enough to make my toes curl. Then he pulls back with the smug expression of someone who has had thousands of years to perfect seduction and knows exactly how to use it against me.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Aithinne grins. "One day I pray I'll meet a woman who engages me in combat as a way to say, I love you. Be still me heart."
... "A woman, you say?"
Her laugh is short. "Did you think Kadamach was the only one whose weakness was ladies in armor? If you weren't his, I'd ask you to be mine.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Forgiveness isn't something given... It's something earned. What could I do to earn it, Aileana? Nothing. - Sorcha”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“All things considered, Gavin is taking my miraculous return rather well. When he saw me, all he did was smile and say, “You really intend on stretching the definition of dead until it loses all meaning, don’t you?”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Kiaran tosses me his coat. “Here. There’s a roll of bread for you in the inner pocket. You need to eat something.”

The bread is wrapped in leaves that kept it dry. I gratefully murmur my thanks that Kiaran is so practical. Between the Morrigan’s attacks and worrying over the Book, I didn’t even notice how famished I was.

Kiaran gathers wood for a fire and I light it with my powers. A small bit of energy I’m willing to risk because I’m so bloody tired and I’ve never seen Kiaran look this rough, either.

Now you know how I feel, I think wryly as I move to sit near the flames. No invulnerable, shining fae skin. No immediate healing. Just the deep bone-tiredness of mortality.

Kiaran sits opposite, as far from me as possible. The scent of burning wood must mask the scent of my blood, at least a little. His eyes flicker to me in a quick, controlled assessment. “Your wounds need binding.”

I can’t help but smile. “First the bread, now my wounds. Is this the Kiaran MacKay way of fussing over someone?”

“I don’t fuss,” Kiaran says. “I give stern instructions, like: Bind your goddamn wounds.”

“I don’t like overbearing men.”

His mouth quirks into a sly smile. “And yet I love assertive, stubborn women.”

I laugh in surprise. “God, I adore you.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Lobsters," Aithinne says again, just in case I misheard her, and I rather hoped I had. "I hear they're biologically immortal," she explains, "and exempt from greed. And they're funny looking, so I've decided they're my favorite... what do you think of a lobster for a pet?" Aithinne asks suddenly, as if she's thought long and hard about this.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“I know the power names hold better than anyone. Yesterday, I was a girl without an identity, someone risen from the ashes of a dead forest. A girl whose only memories were the movements her body made during a slaughter. Now I have a name. And with that comes the expectation that I’m unchanged,”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Gavin meets us outside the cottage. I notice he’s carrying weapons, as if he’s been training for this.

He glances at my sword and his lips quirk up. “Now this sight brings back fond memories. Though I admit, I miss the torn dresses. Trousers just don’t have the same touch of reckless insanity.”

I roll my eyes. “Trust you to flirt with me right before a battle. What happened to Brooding Gavin?”

“Brooding Gavin had a city to protect,” he says. “All I have now is my own arse. Oh, and this whisky.” He pulls open his coat and the bottle is right there in the inside pocket. He’s actually determined to save that shite single malt.

“You’re ridiculous,” I tell him.

Aithinne, however, brightens when she sees it. “Thank god,” she says. “Save a dram for me. I always like a spot of whisky after I murder things.”

God help me. Or kill me now. Just put me out of my misery.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Stick by me,” Daniel says to Gavin. “Don’t do anything bloody stupid, all right? Not like last time.”

“You know me, old chap,” Gavin says, swinging up onto his horse. Derrick settles on his shoulder with his wings tucked in. “Bloody stupid is only my Plan B.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“You died on the island,” he says. “We could have gone somewhere else, but there’s not much point when it’s all falling apart.” He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Any plans before that happens? You could always get blackout drunk with me. We could sing inappropriate songs, dress like pirates, and dance over the entrails of our enemies.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Is that something I enjoy?”

“Not yet. But only because you’ve never tried it. I assure you, it comes highly recommended.”

“By whom?”

“By me.” He huffs. “Honestly, Aileana, everyone ought to dress up like an inebriated pirate at least once. It’s much more fun killing things in costume.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“Derrick flies through the portal first. “Look at you,” he says, stopping to study me. “Alive. Unscathed. Good. If you hadn’t been, I would have lopped his fingers off.”

Kiaran moves to stand beside me. “I would have pulled off your wings.”

“Ignore him, pixie.” Aithinne strides into the room, her long coat billowing behind her. “I should have figured he’d be sullen and moody.”

Kiaran’s emotionless gaze flickers to her. “Phiuthair.”

“Bhràthair.” She stops and studies him. “You look like hell. I suppose you haven’t fed in a few days, if the lack of gifts is any indication.”

“Don’t.” Kiaran’s voice dips in warning.

“I’m wonderful, by the way,” she continues, as if he hadn’t spoken. “Do you like my coat? Don’t I look lovely? Aren’t I the best sister for standing here, still willing to talk to you after you’ve ignored me for months, you stubborn bastard?”

“Well, this is fun,” Derrick says. “I’m really feeling the love in this room. It’s beautiful. Aileana, isn’t it beautiful?”

“You’re here because Kam wanted your help. Not because I did.”

“Damn it, MacKay—”

“You might not have wanted me,” Aithinne says, ignoring my attempts to stand between them, “but look how quickly I came. Because I still care about you. Though god only knows why, since you’re such an obstinate pain in my arse.”

“I love it when Aithinne curses at people.” Derrick says to me. “I say we let them fight it out. A round of fisticuffs. No killing. I’ll go and find refreshments.”

“Oh, for god’s sake,” Sorcha says from behind us. “If you’re all going to squabble, I’d prefer to be back in my prison. That wasn’t torture. This is torture.”

Derrick peeks through my hair. “What’s that murderous arsehole doing here?”

Sorcha blinks at him. “What did you just call me?”

“You heard me, pointy-toothed hag.”

“Sorcha can find the Book,” I interrupt. “And we need her blood to get there. It was her or Lonnrach.”

“So given a choice between murderous arseholes you chose the one who killed you.” Derrick’s laugh is dry. “That’s interesting.”

“I chose the one who was conveniently chained up, rather than the one in hiding.”

Derrick doesn’t look convinced. “And we’re just supposed to believe she’s helping out of the goodness of that black hunk of rock in her chest that she calls a heart?”

“I’m standing right here,” Sorcha says sharply.

“Wish you weren’t,” Derrick sings. Then, to me: “Let me give you some advice, friend. If you’re going to take her along, make her go first. That way you don’t have to worry about her shoving a blade into your back.”

“Sweet little pixie,” Sorcha says. “If there’s one thing you should have learned, it’s that I’m perfectly willing to stab her in the front.” She turns on her heel and heads toward the great hall, the fabric of her brocade dress sweeping across the ground like a cloak. “If you’re coming, the door is this way”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“You can't win. Not when you have everything to lose.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“A voice stirs across my mind—one similar to the Cailleach’s, but not old and frightened and dying. This voice is powerful. It sounds like a promise of death.

I see you.

The air in the hallway thickens, rippling as if a small pebble had been tossed into a pool of water. We all come to a sudden halt. Next to me, Kiaran whispers a foul curse.

“I take it you all felt that?” Aithinne asks. We nod. “Anyone else get the sense they’re about to be gutted and strung up by their intestines?” she says. When we nod again she adds, “I’ve never felt trousers-pissing terrified before.”

Kiaran grasps his blade. “Aithinne,” he murmurs, his eyes on the dead vines. “That’s more information than I cared to know.”

“You’re so delicate,” Aithinne says lightly, but she steps closer to me with her sword out, too.”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom

“I buckle my sword sheath to my waist and head for the trees. “If you’re coming, hurry up.”

They glance at each other, but follow. Aithinne matches my stride, looking askance at me. “You don’t even know where you’re going, do you? You’re not walking into a fight, you’re running into it at full speed with a blindfold on and your ears lopped off and—”

“Thank you,” I say. “That metaphor did not need to be extended”
― Elizabeth May, The Fallen Kingdom