The Gilded Cage Quotes

“Our scars define us. They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we've faced and overcome.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Be the light in the dark.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Not all scars are as visible as this. I daresay you have many more inside you. But never forget that every scar is beautiful. And you should never, ever be ashamed of them.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Sometimes the people who act like they don’t care are really the ones who care the most. They feel so much that it overwhelms them, and to keep from falling apart, they hide behind easy smiles and quick laughter, acting like nothing matters. It’s a defense mechanism, a way to protect themselves from the world. A way to keep from getting hurt.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“You say you became the darkness, that it consumed you,” he said, his cobalt eyes soft on hers, “but I call bull on that. I’ve never met anyone who shines as brightly as you do.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“You need to stop this,” he said, smoothing her forehead again. “Keep frowning, and you’ll age thirty years in no time. Maybe forty.” She batted away his hand and deliberately deepened her frown. “That’s lovely,” he said. “Real charming.” “Have you always been this annoying?” Kiva asked. “You bring out the best in me, Sweet Cheeks.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“offering a gentle smile to Kiva and sending a meaningful look to his cousin. “Take care of her.” “Goshdarnit, there go my plans to toss her in the Serin,” Caldon deadpanned.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“I know you're scared. But I promise you don't have to be.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Not to mention, you were abducted by rebels, you’re living at the palace, and the crown prince looks at you like he would burn the world to keep you safe. But sure, you’re just a normal, everyday kind of girl.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Only fools find their happiness in others.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“When he’d shared the reason for her other nickname — Sweet Cheeks — she’d thrown something much heavier.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Trust is the first ingredient in a recipe for betrayal.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Kiva has spent over half her life locked in a nightmare. The last thing I want is to make her feel like she’s trapped in another kind of cage, gilded though it might be. I have no idea what the future will bring for us, but right now she deserves the chance to live her life and follow her dreams. I can only hope she’ll grant me the honor of being by her side on that journey, and if she does, you’ll have to find a way to deal with it. I don’t think I can be any clearer than that.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“But never forget that every scar is beautiful. And you should never, ever, be ashamed of them.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Our scars define us,” Maddis said quietly, the tip of her finger tracing the three slashed lines. “They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we’ve faced and overcome.” Whispering now, she patted Kiva’s hand and finished, “Not all scars are as visible as this. I daresay you have many more on the inside. But never forget that every scar is beautiful. And you should never, ever, be ashamed of them.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Oriel frowned. “You called Flox fat yesterday. He’s not fat—he’s fluffy.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Do me a favor and try not to puke again,” Caldon said, gripping his swords and rising from his crouch. “With you behind me, I’ll be right in your trajectory. You’ll ruin my outfit.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Normal is tedious, it's boring. The best people are the ones with stories, the ones who have lived through things others can only imagine in their wildest dreams and their worst nightmares.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“He was all that was holding her together”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“neck and into his impossibly soft hair, holding his face to hers, never wanting their kiss to end.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“As with the rest of the palace, the library was colored gold and white, but here the walls were made of bookshelves that rose at least three floors high, with spiraling ladders between them and balconies on each level, all looking down to the open floor that was sparse but for the numerous comfortable reading chairs. In the center of it all and stretching up to the muraled ceiling sat a massive, twisting trunk of a pale oak tree, like an ancient guardian watching over the tomes.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“A gust of wind hit the top of the roof, causing her to shiver and rub her arms. Noting her reaction, Jaren removed his jacket and laid it over her shoulders. Warmth instantly seeped into her as she slid her arms into the sleeves, the comforting scent of fresh earth, sea salt, morning dew, and wood smoke tickling her nose. Earth, wind, water, and fire—a smell perfectly unique to Jaren.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“You say you became the darkness, that it consumed you,” he said, his cobalt eyes soft on hers, “but I call bull on that. I’ve never met anyone who shines as brightly as you do.”
-Caldon”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“delicate masks hiding some of their features better than others. Multiple luminium chandeliers sparkled from the golden ceiling, a string orchestra played from a balcony high above their heads, and at their ankles swirled a layer of misted cloud — kept in place by elemental magic, no doubt, as were the floating specks of light dotting the air, like starbursts hovering among the dancing couples. On the far side, the glass wall had been opened to a reveal a balcony beyond which the Serin lay, its surface dusted with enough luminium candles to make it sparkle brighter than the moonlight shining down on the city.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Don’t worry, we can write notes to each other when Edna’s not looking,” Oriel whispered to him. Ariana made a disapproving sound, and her young son sent her a sheepish look. “Um, during our break,” Oriel quickly added.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“Careful, judgy,” Caldon said, swinging their hands like children, “or I’ll think you’re jealous.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“I've never met anyone who shines as brightly as you do.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“I know how it feels to be left with nothing but darkness,” Kiva went on, before offering a quiet, dangerous admission. “I know what it’s like to become that darkness, how consuming it is. It’s so much easier to hide in the night than to fight for the light.” Gods, did she know that. “I also know how tempting it is not to feel any of those things,” Kiva whispered. “To shut everyone out so you never have to experience that kind of agony again. I know, Cal. I know.” He uncrossed his arms, his eyes shining with the hint of tears.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“You still haven’t said where you were,” Caldon said. “All Tipp could tell us was that it was ‘just out of the city’—we had no idea where to look for you.” “I didn’t ask you to look for me.” The words left Kiva before she could stop them. “What part of this aren’t you understanding?” Caldon growled, his ire rising anew. “We care about you, Kiva. Ignoring that you deliberately kept me from coming with you—which I would have done in a heartbeat, as you damned well know—when you didn’t return, we thought something had happened to you. Do you have any idea how that feels, to know someone you care about is missing, possibly in danger, and you don’t know how to find them?”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage

“If it’s important t-to you, it’s important to m-me,” Tipp said quietly, walking over to wrap his arms around her waist. “We’re in this t-together, Kiva. Always.”
― Lynette Noni, The Gilded Cage