War of the Cards Quotes

“The line of betrayal was so fine in war, it was practically made of sand.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Queen of Hearts, the daughter of two fathers, heed my words. You will pierce the heart of one man and cut out the heart of the one you love most. Follow the crumbs to find your throne and only then shall your head rest in the grass.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“I am the queen,” she breathed quietly, before wrapping her fingers tightly around his crown.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“In two days, we will march on the palace, and there will be no mercy for any of us. Remind yourself why you lead this army and steel your dark heart. There is more blood ahead than you could imagine.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“She smelled them, that pungent smell of fear and bloodlust that she, the Queen of Hearts, was causing. With a wicked smile, she opened up her heart and mind, letting the black rage that she constantly suppressed climb up her chest and flood her body.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Wardley started walking away, the soft whisper of his voice dancing on the wind. "I wish you had died on the battlefield. It's what I wish every day, when I wake up." Dinah let his words cut into her, a swift blade to the heart.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“These are dark times for the court of Wonderland. Our lives were once full of dancing, tea and tarts, fashion and feasting. Now, life is a hardship we can hardly bear.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“From atop his back, she could see the dazzling spires of Wonderland Palace and the red glow that the palace cast on the land around it. From here she could imagine the small lives taking place; Harris, asleep in the library, glasses sliding off the end of his nose; Sir Gorrann, tossing back some ale as he chuckled among fellow Spades; and Wardley, staring out across the land with a burdened heart, wondering how much he would give for his kingdom.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“She was so tired, more exhausted than she had ever been in her life. Even death would be a relief from this effort, and if so, she would meet it boldly, hurtling toward the darkness.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Though it had been only a few hours, it seemed like a lifetime had passed. Dinah wasn’t the same person she had once been, the same girl who had galloped down the hill full of battle rage, yearning for her fury to be satisfied. It wasn’t. In fact, if she listened to her heart for just a moment, it seemed to be crying for more.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“We all must stand eventually, even if our knees shake.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Hear this!” she hissed quietly. “I have no father. Not you, and not the king. Too long have I been defined by the men who claimed that title. I had a loving mother, an innocent brother. And I have men who are truly loyal to me. I need no father.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“You are just like your fathers. Both of them. You are the worst of both of them. I see you now for who you really are.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“It’s true, you are not his natural child, but you have inherited his nature, since he was the only father you’ve ever known.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Actually, I was going to ask to have regular shipments of tea to Hu-Yuhar. My warriors can’t get enough of it.” Dinah felt a jolt of satisfaction. Every morning she had sent jittery servants out with heaping trays of tea to placate the waiting tribe. It was a tiny gesture, but she had learned that even the most subtle gift of service could influence the people. “Be careful, Chief. Once you have a drink of it, it becomes something you need more and more of just to sustain yourself through the day.” The chief looked to the mountains. “It’s the same with power.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Actually, I was going to ask to have regular shipments of tea to Hu-Yuhar. My warriors can’t get enough of it.” Dinah felt a jolt of satisfaction. Every morning she had sent jittery servants out with heaping trays of tea to placate the waiting tribe. It was a tiny gesture, but she had learned that even the most subtle gift of service could influence the people. “Be careful, Chief. Once you have a drink of it, it becomes something you need more and more of just to sustain yourself through the day.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“There was so much she wanted to tell him, so much she wished he would say, but they were on opposite sides of a chasm so great it would swallow them whole.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“The King of Hearts might not be her actual father, but deep inside, she still felt the rage that had driven him. It scared her. She had grown up in its presence, and now it had infected her like a virus.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“My dark heart beats just fine,” she snapped before letting go. “And it’s big enough to sustain my rage and my mercy.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“These burdens are too heavy for anyone to carry without a fire burning inside of them. Don’t try to suppress your beautiful, unruly, angered heart. Let it empower you.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“Take that anger, and use it. Use it for battle, use it to rule. Look how you subdued the captain of the Spades today! This anger is a gift, meant to keep you hard. Instead of suppressing it, embrace it. Let it fill your body, your mind, and your heart. It will be your best friend when none are there. Anger is righteousness, it is power, it has made kingdoms and heroes. Without anger, there is no passion, no life.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“I’m so angry that he doesn’t love me. I’m angry at him, angry at everyone,” she whispered. “From when I wake up to the time I close my eyes, it’s like a poison underneath my skin. When I see him, I see—” She stopped. Cheshire leaned over her. “What? What do you see?” Dinah raised her eyes to his face. “I see rivers of blood,” she whispered.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards

“I would choose victory over beauty any day.”
― Colleen Oakes, War of the Cards