Reign & Ruin Quotes

“Someone starved of something will take whatever they can get and make it into what they need, because they do not know there is more to be had in the world.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“A cruel irony that she missed him more when she was with him than when she was away.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“I like you at my side, Naime.”
“I am the firstborn, so I believe you’re at my side, by rank,” she teased. Makram opened his eyes and ducked his chin, a slow smile spreading over his mouth.
“All right, Sultana. I am at your side. Command me.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Tell me to stay,” he said. She took a slow, audible breath. “I did. You’re here.” His gaze hardened on hers. “No, not the night. Ask me to stay with you. Ask me to stay forever.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Tareck’s breath rushed out in a soundless laugh. “Your wounded pride is showing. That probably isn’t allowed in Tamar either.”
“Have I ever mentioned how much I hate you?” Makram said under his breath.
“Frequently. Shall we?”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“I could never fear you,” she said against his mouth. “You are etched in my heart.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“When they were apart she was not confronted with the reality of someone who no longer shared her memories.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“All right, Sultana. I am at your side. Command me.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“She had also taught her it would be fleeting; that she must have other assets and tools at her disposal when the beauty inevitably faded, or risk losing her belief in herself, which was the only gift she truly had. He had recognized something other than her appearance, and that, in her experience, was rare.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“But wouldn’t she always wonder? She did not want to live a lifetime never knowing what it felt like to be kissed by someone who she actually wanted to kiss. Naime rose up on her knees and pressed her mouth softly to his, her breath held, slipping her hands to rest on his shoulders. She pulled immediately away, unsure. “I don’t know how.” Makram slid off the trunk, landing on his knees in front of her, wrapping his arm around her waist to draw her against him. “I know you don’t.” He brushed his mouth over the bridge of her nose, then her cheek, then her brow, burning her with the tenderness of it. “I know I shouldn’t touch you or let you touch me. I shouldn’t speak to you, I shouldn’t look at you.” “But I like all of those things,” she protested breathlessly, her mind fogged. “I can’t stop,” he said. “I am trying and failing.” “Then,” she began, tingles of anticipation and shyness arcing across her lips and down her throat, “teach me.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Action is better than the little lies we tell with apology, isn’t it?”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“RANCOR like”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“He selected a fried patty of falafel”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“like he was about to sweep the board in chess.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Thank you for coming, San,”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“My mother says each snowflake is a different Wheel, and that they represent all the ways it can turn, all the choices we could make, and how the world can be remade by them.” Samira stepped beside Naime, catching more snow to examine as she spoke.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“But wouldn’t she always wonder? She did not want to live a lifetime never knowing what it felt like to be kissed by someone who she actually wanted to kiss. Naime rose up on her knees and pressed her mouth softly to his, her breath held, slipping her hands to rest on his shoulders. She pulled immediately away, unsure. “I don’t know how.” Makram slid off the trunk, landing on his knees in front of her, wrapping his arm around her waist to draw her against him. “I know you don’t.” He brushed his mouth over the bridge of her nose, then her cheek, then her brow, burning her with the tenderness of it. “I know I shouldn’t touch you or let you touch me. I shouldn’t speak to you, I shouldn’t look at you.” “But I like all of those things,” she protested breathlessly, her mind fogged. “I can’t stop,” he said. “I am trying and failing.” “Then,” she began, tingles of anticipation and shyness arcing across her lips and down her throat, “teach me.” “Yes, Sultana.” The pupils of his eyes broke open, spilling black night across the irises.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin