Winter’s Orbit Quotes

“If he couldn't cope with you, then he couldn't have coped with anything [...]. Nobody could want more than who you are.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“Just because it’s not important doesn’t mean it’s not important to someone.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“I don't know where that comes from. You can't be one of my own hallucinations. I haven't thought that.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“Jainan,” he said into his fingers. He pulled his hands down until his dark agonized eyes met Jainan’s. “You’re beautiful.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“wasn’t really about facts, it was about people. People were many things, but by and large they weren’t masterminds. They always wanted something. They always had a reason for what they did.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“Some things feel the same no matter how much time passes.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“His eyes reflected the light from the hall; behind him, beyond the void, the stars burned in the enduring points; far beyond them, a telescope could have seen the maelstrom of the link, and a million more stars beyond that; and this tiny station spinning around a tiny jeweled planet like the fulcrum of the universe.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“I think,” Jainan said slowly, “that it’s very possible to spend all your energy doing the right thing but still miss something obvious. I think that doesn’t make your effort meaningless.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“He was talking to the reporters, but he was only looking at Jainan, and his words were only the edges of what he was saying, like the breaking crests of waves on a tide. Jainan didn’t laugh, but only because laughter was no more than a fraction of what he felt. He stepped up and kissed Kiem.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Y’know, your elbow. ’S perfect.” Jainan shifted his head and made an inquiring noise before he had time to realize that Kiem was still half-asleep, or might even be talking in his sleep. But Kiem woke up further and seemed to take that as a request for clarification. “I mean, probably both your elbows. Can’t see the other one. Everything’s perfect.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Jainan felt a sudden intense gratitude for Kiem’s existence: for his easygoing manner, for his ability to take everything in his stride, for how he seemed to think Jainan’s opinion was important.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“Gender on Iskat was easy: anyone wearing flint ornaments was a woman, wooden ornaments signified a man, and glass—or nothing—meant nonbinary.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“Kiem smiled that ridiculous, unfairly stunning smile. "Did I say thank you, by the way? You know, for saving my life. Possibly twice. I must have said thank you."
Jainan just wanted to store that smile in his memory forever. He groped for a reply. "I didn't save your life."
"You did. You fought off a bear."
''That was chance.''
"Fine, play it down," Kiem said. "I'll sell the story to a vidmaker, then you'll see."
The helpless amusement was getting worse. Jainan held his grave face with an effort. "It's hardly vid material."
"It'll star me, falling into a river. In my undershirt. The ratings will be off the charts."
Jainan's felt his face crack into a smile. "I might watch it for that.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Kiem’s foot caught on a low stone step and he stumbled. “Jainan, that was a bluff,” he said in dismay. “I thought you knew. What did you think I’d do, just throw you to the press? You’re my partner!”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“said. “Am I the only one seeing something weird about this? Why didn’t you tell me about the clearance issue before? Why don’t I understand anything that’s going on?”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter's Orbit

“Kiem looked up. The whole room was paying attention now, but that wasn’t important. Jainan saw the moment Kiem realized he was there. He saw the way Kiem straightened from his slump like someone had pulled him up, and he saw Kiem’s whole expression light up with hope.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Kiem was at the end of the row, sitting uncomfortably on the edge of his seat. His elbows rested on his knees and his foot jiggled restlessly, as if he couldn’t bear to be in a space as confined as a chair. His face was lined with anxiousness, but he was solid and real and alive, and for a moment Jainan was an invisible observer in a private bubble of affection.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Jainan did not strike out and create a random mess, like Kiem would have done. He caused deliberate, targeted mayhem. “I love him,” Kiem said. He shouldn’t say it. Jainan’s declarations had just been politics, he knew that, but Kiem was unable to stop smiling. “Of course you do,” the Emperor said. “You have never made good choices. Sell this, or the Empire falls.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Kiem hadn’t previously supposed an ally might come in the form of a tearful teenager with anti-Iskat pins on her jacket, but right at this moment he was prepared to consider her Heaven-sent.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“I don’t get how you can be such a miserable bundle of wet atmosphere and still get in my way all the time. Holy fuck, it feels good to stop acting,” Aren added.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Kiem had seen a couple of the Empire’s planets from space—Eisafan, Rtul—but he was prepared to award Thea the prize for first impressions, with a bonus entry for Planet He Might Consider Dating.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Kiem talked in fragments that were barely audible, can I, and you’re beautiful, and Jainan, Jainan, his name whispered against the skin of his neck over and over like a prayer.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Jainan opened his eyes as something coursed through his body like molten metal: shock and need, his own desire casting off its last restraints. Kiem’s face was very close to his and his eyes were dark. Jainan said without even thinking, “You really do want me.” “Oh, fuck yes—please—Jainan, I’m losing my mind—” Kiem broke off and swallowed, his touch still a pool of heat on Jainan’s skin. “Not if you don’t want it,” he said. “And not for duty. Never for duty.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“So…” Kiem said. He trailed off. For once he didn’t seem to know the right thing to say. “So,” Jainan echoed. The shadows of the tent wavered. Jainan took his courage into both hands and plunged over the edge. “Come here.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Jainan’s thoughts were transparent and slippery, and every time he tried to face one, it fled.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Structurally unsound,” Jainan said. “Blame the contractors.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“The cold against Jainan’s face was clean and purifying; he felt detached, but in a strange way, as if he could see his tiny, insignificant form moving at the center of the huge spaces around them. Something in the space and silence was trickling into his bones, gradually filling them up with an itchiness like shoots of grass unfolding. It came with an aching feeling, and for some reason, the ache felt like loss.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Jainan stared at the wreckage of the flybug’s dome and empty seat for a full three seconds before he looked farther and saw a dark form lying at the end of a track gouged in the snow. It was suddenly very hard to breathe again. His head must still be hazy, because there didn’t seem to be any time at all between spotting Kiem and kneeling down next to him, shaking so badly he had to stop with his hand an inch from Kiem’s face. Kiem’s eyes were shut. It wouldn’t help to touch him. What would help? Jainan was useless.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“All his attention was trained on downloading vast amounts of Kingfisher data and heaping it in abstract pools and graphic visualizations all over the desk. Kiem tried to help out, and not stand there watching the way research turned Jainan intent and whetstone-sharp.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit

“Rakal’s look gave Kiem pause, even as his indignation picked up steam, because he had come across several of Iskat’s more murderous fauna while on hikes and Rakal reminded him strongly of something with too many teeth.”
― Everina Maxwell, Winter’s Orbit