Discover a wealth of wisdom and insight from Leigh Bardugo through their most impactful and thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Expand your perspective with their inspiring words and share these beautiful Leigh Bardugo quote pictures with your friends and followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog - all free of charge. We've compiled the top 979 Leigh Bardugo quotes for you to explore and share with others.

Do not be afraid. Fear is how they control you. There's so much in the world you don't have to be afraid of, if you would only open your eyes. By Leigh Bardugo Afraid Fear Eyes Control World

Jesper and Kaz swung around, crashed into the mechanism of the clock, righted themselves. It wasn't a fight, it was a brawl - graceless, a tangle of elbows and fists. "Ghezen and his works, someone stop them!" Wylan said desperately. "Jesper hasn't shot him," Nina said. "Kaz isn't using his cane," said Inej. "You think they can't kill each other with their bare hands?" They were both bleeding - Jesper from a cut on his lip and Kaz from somewhere near his brow. Jesper's shirt was halfway over his head and Kaz's sleeve was tearing at the seam. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Jesper Crashed Clock Righted

Has anyone noticed this whole city is looking for us, mad at us, or wants to kill us?""So?" said Kaz."Well, usually it's just half the city. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz City Mad Noticed Kill

Brick by brick.Brick by brick, I will destroy you."It was the promise that let him sleep at night, that drove him every day, that kept Jordie's ghost at bay. Because a quick death was too good for Pekka Rollins. By Leigh Bardugo Jordie Brick You Night Day

He saw her draw closer in the mirror. Her black hair was an ink splash against the white tile walls. She paused behind him. "You protected me, Kaz." "The fact that you're bleeding through your bandages tells me otherwise."She glanced down. A red blossom of blood had spread on the bandage tied around her shoulder. She tugged awkwardly at the strip of towel. "I need Nina to fix this one."He didn't mean to say it. He meant to let her go. "I can help you." Her gaze snapped to his in the mirror, wary as if gauging an opponent. I can help you. They were the first words she'd spoken to him, standing in the parlor of the Menagerie, draped in purple silk, eyes lined in kohl. She had helped him. And she'd nearly destroyed him. Maybe he should let her finish the job. By Leigh Bardugo Draw Closer Mirror Kaz Walls

Inej had once offered to teach him how to fall. "The trick is not getting knocked down," he'd told her with a laugh. "No, Kaz," she'd said, "the trick is in getting back up. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Fall Kaz Trick Offered

He had no illusions about why Kaz had looked out for him, but he also knew he never would have survived this long without his help. And Kaz didn't care didn't care if he could read. Kaz and the others teased him, but they'd given him a chance to prove himself. They valued the things he could do instead of punishing him for the things he couldn't (p322) By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Illusions Looked Knew Survived

Kaz rolled his eyes. The easiest way to steal a man's wallet is to tell him you're going to steal his watch. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Eyes Rolled Steal Watch

The silence between them was dark water. He could not cross it. He couldn't walk the line between the decency she deserved and the violence this path demanded. If he tried, it might get them both killed. He could only be who he truly was--a boy who had no comfort to offer. So he would give her what he could. By Leigh Bardugo Water Silence Dark Cross Demanded

Crows remember human faces. They remember the people who feed them, who are kind to them. And the people who wrong them too. They don't forget. They tell each other who to look after and who to watch out for. By Leigh Bardugo Crows Faces Remember People Human

You know I can do it, Kaz, and you know I'm not going to refuse. So why ask?"Because I've been looking for an excuse to talk to you for two days."I want to make sure you know what you'll be dealing with and that you're studying the plans. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Refuse Days Plans Excuse

You don't smell like roses any more," he said, then wanted to kick himself. He shouldn't be noticing her scent. "I probably smell like boat." No, she smelled sweet, perfect like ... "Toffee?" Her eyes slid away guiltily. "Kaz said to pack what we needed for the journey. A girl has to eat." She reached into her pocket and drew out a bag of toffees. "Want one? By Leigh Bardugo Smell Roses Wanted Kick Kaz

Jesper ran a finger up Wylan's forearm, and Wylan flushed a vibrant pink. Matthias couldn't help but sympathize with the boy. He knew what it was to be out of your depth, and he sometimes suspected they could forgo all of Kaz's planning and simply let Jesper and Nina flirt the entirety of Ketterdam into submission. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Forearm Pink Jesper Ran

I can hear the change in Kaz's breathing when he looks at you.""You... you can?""It catches every time, like he's never seen you before. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz You Hear Change Breathing

I need to see Jakob Hertzoon.""Who?"Kaz felt like he was about to climb out of his skin. He pointed through the window. "Jakob fucking Hertzoon. I want to talk to him. By Leigh Bardugo Hertzoon Kaz Jakob Skin Felt

Kaz had been impressed with the sketches. "You think like a lockpick," he'd told Wylan. "I do not." "I mean you can see space along three axes." "I'm not a criminal," Wylan protested. Kaz had cast him an almost pitying look. "No, you're a flautist who fell in with bad company. By Leigh Bardugo Sketches Kaz Wylan Impressed Lockpick

Saints, Kaz, you actually look happy.""Don't be ridiculous," he snapped. But there was no mistaking it. Kaz Brekker was grinning like an idiot. By Leigh Bardugo Saints Kaz Happy Ridiculous Snapped

In the space of a breath, Kaz had shoved Wylan against the tomb wall with his forearm, the crow head of his cane wedged beneath Wylan's jaw. "Tell me my business again." Wylan swallowed, parted his lips. "Do it," said Kaz. "And I'll cut the tongue from your head and feed it to the first stray cat I can find. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Kaz Breath Forearm Jaw

Kaz heard Wylan retching. He tossed the eyeball overboard and jammed his spit-soaked handkerchief into the socket where Oomen's eye had been. Then he grabbed Oomen's jaw, his gloves leaving red smears on the enforcer's chin. His actions were smooth, precise, as if he were dealing cards at the Crow Club or picking an easy lock, but his rage felt hot and mad and unfamiliar. Something within him had torn loose. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Kaz Retching Oomen Heard

Kaz rapped his cane on the stone floor. He was standing in the doorway to the tomb. "If everyone is done cuddling, we have a job to do." "Hold up," said Jesper, arm still slung around Inej. "We're not talking about the job until we figure out what those things were on the Stave." "What things?" asked Inej. "Did you miss half the Stave blowing up?" "We saw the bomb at the White Rose go off," said Inej, "and then we heard another explosion." "At the Anvil," said Nina. "After that," Inej said, "we ran." Jesper nodded sagely. "That was your big mistake. If you'd stuck around, you could have nearly been killed by a Shu guy with wings. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Kaz Floor Stave Rapped

You can't spend his money if you're dead." "I'll acquire expensive habits in the afterlife. By Leigh Bardugo Dead Spend Money Afterlife Acquire

In the end, Kaz Brekker was a just a boy, and she'd let him lead her to this fate. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Brekker End Boy Fate

She vanished over the side of the chapel. Kaz stood there, staring at the place she'd been only seconds before. She'd tricked him. The decent, honest, pious Wraith had outsmarted him. He turned to look back at the long expanse of roof he was going to have to traverse to get back to the boat. "Curse you and all your Saints," he said to no one at all, then realized he was smiling. By Leigh Bardugo Chapel Vanished Side Back Wraith

You must find a way to make peace," said Inej. "At least for a while.""This is not your concern," Matthias growled.Kaz stepped forward, his expression dangerous. "It is very much our concern. And watch your tone. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Peace Concern Matthias Find

Jesper swung first. Kaz dodged right and then they were grappling. They slammed into the wall, knocked heads, drew apart in a flurry of punches and grabs. Wylan turned to Inej, expecting her to object, for Matthias to separate them, for someone to do something, but the others just backed up, making room. Only Kuwei showed any kind of distress.Jesper and Kaz swung around, crashed into the mechanism of the clock, righted themselves. It wasn't a fight, it was a brawl--graceless, a tangle of elbows and fists."Ghezen and his works, someone stop them!" Wylan said desperately. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Kaz Wylan Swung Inej

Kaz narrowed his eyes. I'm not some character out of a children's story who plays harmless pranks and steals from the rich to give to the poor. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Eyes Narrowed Poor Character

Some people see a magic trick and say, "Impossible!" They clap their hands, turn over their money, and forget about it ten minutes later. Other people ask how it worked. They go home, get into bed, toss and turn, wondering how it was done. It takes them a good night's sleep to forget all about it. And then there are the ones who stay awake, running through the trick again and again, looking for that skip in perception, the crack in the illusion that will explain how their eyes got duped; they're the kind who won't rest until they've mastered that little bit of mystery for themselves. I'm that kind. By Leigh Bardugo Impossible Magic People Turn Trick

You showed mercy, Kaz. You were the better man." There she went again, seeking decency when there was none to be had. "Inej, I could only kill Pekka's son once." He pushed the door open with his cane. "He can imagine his death a thousand times. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Mercy Inej Showed Man

Haskell whisked the pistol from his pocket and flipped open the barrel. It was empty. "You little--" Then Haskell barked a laugh and plucked the bullets from Kaz's hand, shaking his head. "You've got the devil's own blood in you, boy. Go get my money. By Leigh Bardugo Barrel Haskell Whisked Pistol Pocket

Go on, Van Eck, threaten me. Tell me all the little things I am. You lay a finger on me and Kaz Brekker will cut the baby from your pretty wife's stomach and hang its body from a balcony at the Exchange. By Leigh Bardugo Van Eck Threaten Exchange Kaz

There is no safe," Kaz snarled. "Not in the Barrel. Not anywhere." He threw his strength into rowing. No seal. No ship. Their money spent. "What do we do now?" Wylan said quietly, his voice barely audible above the sound of the water and the other boats on the canal. "Pick up a pair of oars and make yourself useful," said Kaz. "Or I'll put your pampered ass in the drink and let your father fish you out. By Leigh Bardugo Safe Snarled Kaz Barrel Pick

Inej placed her hands on Nina's shoulders. "We'll see each other again.""Of course we will. You've saved my life. I've saved yours.""I think you're ahead on that count.""No, I don't mean in the big ways." Nina's eyes took them all in. "I mean the little rescues. Laughing at my jokes. Forgiving me when I was foolish. Never trying to make me feel small. It doesn't matter if it's next month, or next year, or ten years from now, those will be the things I remember when I see you again."Kaz offered his gloved hand to Nina. "Until then, Zenik.""Count on it, Brekker." They shook. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Inej Shoulders Again Saved

I suppose you've got your future all figured out?" "No. I just know I'm going to get my mother out of that place and try to build some kind of life for us." Wylan nodded to the posters on the wall. "Is this really what you want? To be a criminal? To keep bouncing from the next score to the next fight to the next near miss?" "Honestly?" Jesper knew Wylan probably wasn't going to like what he said next. "It's time," Kaz said from the doorway. "Yes, this is what I want," said Jesper. Wylan looped his satchel over his shoulder, and without thinking, Jesper reached out and untwisted the strap. He didn't let go. "But it's not all that I want. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Wylan Suppose Future Figured

Inej turned to go. Kaz seized her hand, keeping it on the railing. He didn't look at her. "Stay," he said, his voice rough stone. "Stay in Ketterdam. Stay with me."She looked down at his gloved hand clutching hers. Everything in her wanted to say yes, but she would not settle for so little, not after all she'd been through. "What would be the point?"He took a breath. "I want you to stay. I want you to ... I want you.""You want me." She turned the words over. Gently, she squeezed his hand. "And how will you have me, Kaz?""How will you have me?" she repeated. "Fully clothed, gloves on, your head turned away so our lips can never touch? By Leigh Bardugo Stay Inej Hand Kaz Turned

Have any of you wondered what I did with all the cash Pekka Rollins gave us?""Guns?" asked Jesper."Ships?" queried Inej."Bombs?" suggested Wylan. "Political bribes?" offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. "This is where you tell us how awful we are," she whispered. By Leigh Bardugo Guns Ships Bombs Jesper Inej

We were all supposed to make it," said Wylan softly. Maybe that was naive, the protest of a rich merchant's son who'd only had a taste of Barrel life.But Jesper realized he'd been thinking the same thing. After all their mad escapes and close calls, he'd started to believe the six of them were somehow charmed, that his guns, Kaz's brains, Nina's wit, Inej's talent, Wylan's ingenuity, and Matthias' strength had made them somehow untouchable. They might suffer. They might take their knocks, but Wylan was right, in the end they were all supposed to stay standing. "No mourners," said Jesper, surprised by the ache of tears in his throat."No funerals," they all replied softly. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Jesper Supposed Make Softly

Why the net, Kaz?"Yes, why the net? Why something that could complicate the assault he'd planned on the silos and leave them twice as open to exposure? I couldn't bear to watch you fall. "I just went to a lot of trouble to get my spider back. I didn't do it so you could crack your skull open the next day. By Leigh Bardugo Net Kaz Open Exposure Complicate

I'm pragmatic. If I were cruel, I'd give him an eulogy instead of a conversation. By Leigh Bardugo Pragmatic Cruel Conversation Give Eulogy

Matthias appeared in front of them. "We should go soon. We have little more than an hour before sunrise." "What exactly are you wearing?" Nina asked, staring at the tufted cap and woolly red vest Matthias had put on over his clothes. "Kaz procured papers for us in case we're stopped in the Ravkan quarter. We're Sven and Catrine Alfsson. Fjerdan defectors seeking asylum at the Ravkan embassy." It made sense. If they were stopped, there was no way Matthias could pass himself off as Ravkan, but Nina could easily manage Fjerdan. "Are we married, Matthias?" she said, batting her lashes. He consulted the papers and frowned. "I believe we're brother and sister."Jesper ambled over, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Not creepy at all. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Ravkan Appeared Front Nina

Pick up the pace," Kaz said, eyeing his watch."If I spill a single drop of this, it will burn straight through the floor onto my father's dinner guests.""Take your time. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Pick Pace Eyeing Watch

All right," said Kaz. "Let's talk in the solarium. I'd prefer not to sweat through my suit." When the rest of them made to follow, Kaz halted and glanced over his shoulder. "Just me and the privateer." Zoya tossed her glorious black mane and said, "We are the Triumvirate. We do not take orders from Kerch street rats with dubious haircuts." "I can phrase it as a question if it will make your feathers lie flat," Kaz said. "You insolent - " "Zoya," said Sturmhond smoothly. "Let's not antagonize our new friends before they've even had a chance to cheat us. Lead on, Mister Brekker. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Zoya Triumvirate Solarium Mister

Thoughts of moonlight and silken hair evaporated in a black bolt of fury. Kaz saw Inej tug on the sleeve of her left forearm, where the Menagerie tattoo had once been. He had the barest inkling of what she'd endured there, but he knew what it was to feel helpless, and Van Eck had managed to make her feel that way again. Kaz was going to have to find a new language of suffering to teach that smug merch son of a bitch. By Leigh Bardugo Thoughts Fury Moonlight Silken Hair

It was because she was listening so closely that she knew the exact moment when Kaz Brekker, Dirtyhands, the bastard of the Barrel and deadliest boy in Ketterdam, fainted. By Leigh Bardugo Dirtyhands Fainted Brekker Ketterdam Kaz

Did you manage to contact the refugees?" Inej asked, waving Nina over to the table and clearing a place for her to sit. "Everything went smoothly," said Nina. "Aside from breaking a few windows and nearly getting shot." Kaz looked up from the table, his interest secured. "Big trouble in Little Ravka?" asked Jesper. "Nothing we couldn't handle," Nina said. "Please tell me there's something to eat." "You're hungry?" said Inej. They all goggled at Nina. She curtsied. "Yes, yes, Nina Zenik is hungry. Now will someone feed me before I'm forced to cook one of you?" "Don't be ridiculous," said Jesper. "You don't know how to cook. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Refugees Jesper Manage Contact

Everything is a negotiation with you, Brekker. You probably bartered your way out of the womb. By Leigh Bardugo Brekker Negotiation Womb Bartered

Vile, ruthless, amoral. Isn't that why you hired Kaz in the first place? Because he does the things that no one else dares? Go on, Van Eck. Break my legs and see what happens. Dare him."Had she really believed a merch could outthink Kaz Brekker? Kaz would get her free and then they'd show this man exactly what whores and canals rats could do. By Leigh Bardugo Vile Ruthless Amoral Kaz Van

Kuwei gave an affronted sniff and lowered himself onto the floor of the sickboat. He folded his arms neatly over his chest. "No," said Kaz. "No. The bodymen don't bother to arrange them." Kuwei let his hands flop to his sides. By Leigh Bardugo Sickboat Kuwei Gave Affronted Sniff

What doesn't kill me better run. - Kaz By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Run Kill

And what god do you serve, then?""Whichever will grant me good fortune." "I don't think gods work that way." "I don't think I care. By Leigh Bardugo Whichever Serve Fortune Grant Good

Kaz was going to kill her. She was going to kill Kaz. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Kill

He'd known even then, though: He'd start as a grunt, but the Dregs would become his army. By Leigh Bardugo Dregs Grunt Army Start

She took a shaky breath. The words came like a string of gunshots, rapid-fire, as if she resented the very act of speaking them. "I didn't know if you would come." Kaz couldn't blame Van Eck for that. Kaz had built that doubt in her with every cold word and small cruelty. "We're your crew, Inej. We don't leave our own at the mercy of merch scum." It wasn't the answer he wanted to give. It wasn't the answer she wanted. By Leigh Bardugo Breath Shaky Kaz Inej Answer

You were early, Jesper," Kaz said as he nudged Matthias towards the boat."I was on time.""For you, that's early. Next time you plan to impress me give me some warning.""The animals are out, and I found you a boat. This is when a thank you would be in order.""Thank you, Jesper," said Nina."You're very welcome, gorgeous. See, Kaz? That's how the civilised folk do. By Leigh Bardugo Early Jesper Matthias Kaz Boat

Matthias was not fooled. Kaz always spoke logic, but that didn't mean he always told truth. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Fooled Kaz Logic Truth

I would have come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. We never stop fighting. By Leigh Bardugo Walk Drawn Pistols Blazing Crawl

It really does look like the rings of a tree," she said. "No," said Kaz. "It looks like a target. By Leigh Bardugo Tree Kaz Rings Target

Pekka Rollins couldn't count the threats he'd heard, the men he'd killed, or the men he'd seen die, but the look in Brekker's eye still sent a chill slithering up his spine. Some wrathful thing in this boy was beginning to get loose, and Rollin's didn't want to be around when it slipped its leash. By Leigh Bardugo Men Brekker Pekka Heard Killed

Kaz, this whole 'shoot me' thing is starting to concern me. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Shoot Thing Starting Concern

He didn't mean to say it. He meant to let her go. "I can help you. By Leigh Bardugo Meant

No one knew who he was. No one knew where he came from. He'd become Kaz Brekker, cripple and confidence man, bastard of the Barrel. The By Leigh Bardugo Knew Brekker Barrel Kaz Cripple

Kaz had wriggled out of his coat and managed to yank off his shirt, leaning on the sink in the bathroom. "For Saints' sake, let us help you," said Nina. Kaz gripped the end of a bandage in his teeth and tore off a piece. "I don't need your help. Keep working with Colm." "What is wrong with him?" Nina grumbled as they went back to the sitting room to drill Colm on his cover story. "Same thing that's always wrong with him," said Jesper. "He's Kaz Brekker. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Shirt Leaning Bathroom Colm

At some point, Jesper realized Kaz was gone. "Not one for goodbyes, is he?" he muttered."He doesn't say goodbye," Inej said. She kept her eyes on the lights of the canal. Somewhere in the garden, a night bird began to sing. "He just lets go. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Kaz Point Realized Inej

If you ever cared about me at all, don't follow. By Leigh Bardugo Follow Cared

You're the one getting ready to bolt, Jesper. You just want me to run with you so you don't have to feel so bad about it. For all your love of a fight, you're always the first to talk about running for cover.""I made a mistake. I let my bad get the best of my good, but for Saints' sake, Kaz, how long are you going to make me pay for a little forgiveness? [...] How many times have I had your back in a fight? How many times have I gotten it right? Doesn't that count for anything?" Jesper threw up his hands. "I can't win with you. No one can. By Leigh Bardugo Bolt Jesper Ready Fight Bad

One minute he made her blush and the next he made her want to commit murder. By Leigh Bardugo Made Murder Minute Blush Commit

You have no finesse," a gambler at the Silver Garter once said to him. "No technique." "Sure I do," Kaz had responded. "I practice the art of 'pull his shirt over his head and punch till you see blood. By Leigh Bardugo Silver Garter Finesse Gambler Kaz

Jesper: "If Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost."Kaz: "I'll just hire Matthias' ghost to kick your ghost's ass."Matthias: "My ghost won't associate with your ghost. By Leigh Bardugo Ghost Kaz Matthias Pekka Rollins

There was no part of him that was not broken, that had not healed wrong, and there was no part of him that was not stronger for having been broken. No one knew who he was. No one knew where he came from. He'd become Kaz Brekker, cripple and confidence man, bastard of the Barrel. The gloves were his one concession to weakness. Since that night among the bodies and the swim from the Reaper's Barge, he had not been able to bear the feeling of skin against skin. It was excruciating to him, revolting. It was the only piece of his past that he could not forge into something dangerous. By Leigh Bardugo Part Broken Wrong Healed Stronger

She would have her ship and he would have his city. By Leigh Bardugo City Ship

Kaz didn't look remotely entertained. "The Ravkan king lets you negotiate for him in matters of state?" he asked skeptically. "Occasionally," said Sturmhond. "Especially if less than savory personages are involved. You have a reputation, Mister Brekker." "So do you. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Entertained Occasionally Remotely Ravkan

He's horrible.""But effective. Being angry at Kaz for being ruthless is like being angry at a stove for being hot. By Leigh Bardugo Horrible Effective Angry Kaz Hot

Inej nodded. "I gave your letter to the guard at the door, and it did the trick. They brought me directly to two members of the Triumvirate." "Who did you meet with?" said Kaz. "Genya Safin and Zoya Nazyalensky." Wylan sat forward. "The Tailor? She's at the embassy?" Kaz raised a brow. "What an interesting fact to forget to mention, Nina.""It wasn't relevant at the time." "Of course it's relevant!" Wylan said angrily. Jesper was a little surprised. Wylan hadn't seemed to mind wearing Kuwei's features at first. He'd almost seemed to welcome the distance it gave him from his father. But that had been before they'd gone to Saint Hilde. And before Jesper had kissed Kuwei. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Nodded Wylan Kuwei Kaz

One of his hands balanced on his cane. The other rested at his side next to her. She'd need only move the smallest amount and they would be touching. He was that close. He was that far from reach. By Leigh Bardugo Cane Hands Balanced Touching Rested

When we get our money, you can burn kruge to keep you warm.""I'm going to pay someone to burn my kruge for me.""Why don't you pay someone else to pay someone to burn your kruge for you? That's what the big players do. By Leigh Bardugo Pay Burn Kruge Money Warm

I guess we need to find a way to the quarry?" Jesper said. Wylan coughed. "No we don't, just a general store." "But you told Kaz the mineral - " "It's present in all kinds of paints and enamels. I wanted to make sure I had a reason to go to Olendaal." "Wylan Van Eck, you lied to Kaz Brekker." Jesper clutched a hand to his chest. "And you got away with it! Do you give lessons?"Wylan felt ridiculously pleased - until he thought about Kaz finding out. Then he felt a little like the first time he'd tried brandy and ended up spewing his dinner all over his own shoes. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Kaz Quarry Guess Find

Sugar," said Kaz.Jesper nudged the sugar bowl down the table to him.Kaz rolled his eyes. "Not for my coffee, you podge. By Leigh Bardugo Eyes Sugar Kazjesper Nudged Bowl

He was a collection of hard lines and tailored edges By Leigh Bardugo Edges Collection Hard Lines Tailored

Jesper jabbed an accusing finger at Kuwei. "You should have said something!" Kuwei shrugged. "You were very brave on Black Veil. Since we're all probably going to die - " "Damn it," Jesper cursed, stalking toward the door. "You're a very good kisser," called Kuwei after him. Jesper turned. "How good is your Kerch really?" "Fairly good." "Okay, then I hope you understand exactly what I mean when I say you are definitely more trouble than you're worth." Kuwei beamed, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Kaz seems to think I'm worth a great deal now." Jesper rolled his eyes skyward. "You fit right in here. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Kuwei Good Jabbed Accusing

He saw that Jesper was staring at his hands. "What were you expecting?" Kaz growled."Claws, at least,"Jesper said, shifting his gaze to his own bony feet. "Possibly a spiny thumb. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Hands Claws Staring Possibly

What is he doing?" asked Matthias."Performing an ancient Zemeni ritual," Kaz said."Really?""No. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Performing Kaz Zemeni Asked

You'll get what's coming to you some day, Brekker.""I will," said Kaz, "if there's any justice in the world. And we all know how likely that is. By Leigh Bardugo Brekker Kaz Day World Coming

Good," said Kaz, but the answer didn't come as quickly as Matthias might have expected. He fears for her, Matthias thought, and he does not like it. For once, he could sympathize with the demjin. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Good Matthias Expected Answer

If you don't care about money, Nina dear, call it by its other names.""Kruge? Scrub? Kaz's one true love?""Freedom, security, retribution. By Leigh Bardugo Kruge Nina Freedom Scrub Money

When this is all over, when Van Eck has been put in his place, when Rollins goes running, and the money is paid, these will still be my streets. I can't live in a city where I can't hold up my head." "If you have a head to hold up," said Jesper. "I've taken knives, bullets, and too many punches to count, all for a little piece of this town," said Kaz. "This is the city I bled for. And if Ketterdam has taught me anything, it's that you can always bleed a little more. By Leigh Bardugo Van Eck Rollins Place Running

That, Kuwei, is the sound that death makes when she comes calling. By Leigh Bardugo Kuwei Calling Sound Death Makes

Kaz had rescued her from that hopelessness, and their lives had been a series of rescues ever since, a string of debts that they never tallied as they saved each other again and again. Lying in the dark, she realized that for all her doubts, she'd believed he would rescue her once more, that he would put aside his greed and his demons and come for her. Now she wasn't so sure. Because it was not just the sense in the words she'd spoken that had stilled Van Eck's hand but the truth he'd heard in her voice. He'll never trade if you break me. She could not pretend those words had been conjured by strategy or even animal cunning. The magic they'd worked had been born of belief. An ugly enchantment. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Hopelessness Rescued Lives Series

If we don't survive this night, I will die unafraid, Kaz. Can you say the same? By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Night Unafraid Survive Die

Jesper gave his shoulder another little shake. "Well, how about this? Kaz is going to tear your father's damn life apart."Wylan was about to say that didn't help either, but he hesitated. Kaz Brekker was the most brutal, vengeful creature Wylan had ever encountered--and he'd sworn he was going to destroy Jan Van Eck. The thought felt like cool water cascading over the hot, shameful feeling of helplessness he'd been carrying with him for so long. Nothing could make this right, ever. But Kaz could make his father's life very wrong. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Shake Kaz Wylan Gave

I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Brekker Armor

You have crumbs on your cleavage." "Don't care," she said, taking another bite of cake. "So hungry." Kaz By Leigh Bardugo Cleavage Kaz Crumbs Care Taking

Where do you think the money went?" he repeated. "Guns?" asked Jesper. "Ships?" queried Inej. "Bombs?" suggested Wylan. "Political bribes?" offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. "This is where you tell us how awful we are," she whispered. He shrugged. "They all seem like practical choices." "Sugar," said Kaz. Jesper nudged the sugar bowl down the table to him. Kaz rolled his eyes. "Not for my coffee, you podge. I used the money to buy up sugar shares and placed them in private accounts for all of us - under aliases, of course." "I don't like speculation," said Matthias. "Of course you don't. You like things you can see. Like piles of snow and benevolent tree gods." "Oh, there it is!" said Inej, resting her head on Nina's shoulder and beaming at Matthias. "I missed his glower. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Repeated Guns Inej Sugar

There are no good men in Ketterdam, Kaz said. And then he'd simply let go. By Leigh Bardugo Ketterdam Kaz Good Men Simply

Kaz tossed the ledger back in the safe. "You're not weak because you can't read. You're weak because you're afraid of people seeing your weakness. You're letting shame decide who you are..." (p283) By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Safe Tossed Ledger Back

Why do you wear gloves, Mister Brekker?"Kaz raised a brow. "I'm sure you've heard the stories.""Each more grotesque than the last."Kaz had heard them, too. Brekker's hands were stained with blood. Brekker's hands were covered in scars. Brekker had claws and not fingers because he was part demon. Brekker's touch burned like brimstone - a single brush of his bare skin caused your flesh to wither and die."Pick one," Kaz said as he vanished into the night, thoughts already turning to thirty million kruge and the crew he'd need to help him get it. "They're all true enough. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Mister Brekker Gloves Brow

I'm going to get my money, Kaz vowed. And I'm going to get my girl. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Money Vowed Girl

I bunched the squirrel-fur hat up under my head and left the pack for Mal to use as a pillow. Then I pulled my coat close around me and huddled beneath the new furs. I was nodding off when I heard Mal return and settle himself beside me, his back pressed comfortably against mine. As I drifted into sleep, I felt like I could still taste the sugar from that sweet roll on my tongue, feel the pleasure of laughter gusting through me. We'd been robbed. We'd almost been killed. We were being hunted by the most powerful man in Ravka. But we were friends again, and sleep came more easily than it had in a long time. At some point during the night, I woke to Mal's snoring. I jabbed him in the back with my elbow. He rolled onto his side, muttered something in his sleep, and threw his arm over me. A minute later he started snoring again, but this time I didn't wake him. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Pillow Bunched Squirrelfur Hat

He'd told her they would fight their way out. Knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. She would fight for him, but she could not heal him. She would not waste her life trying. By Leigh Bardugo Told Fight Knives Drawn Pistols

On the way out, a man loading up a wagon exchanged a wave with them. "You boys looking for work?" he asked skeptically. "Neither of you looks up to a full day in the field." "You'd be surprised," said Jesper. "We signed on to do some work out near Saint Hilde." Wylan waited, nervous, but the man just nodded. "You doing repairs at the hospital?" "Yup," Jesper said easily. "Your friend there don't talk much." "Shu," said Jesper with a shrug. The older man gave some kind of grunt in agreement and said, "Hop on in. I'm going out to the quarry. I can take you to the gates. What are the flowers for?" "He has a sweetheart out near Saint Hilde." "Some sweetheart." "I'll say. He has terrible taste in women." Wylan considered shoving Jesper off the wagon. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Hilde Saint Man Loading

What's Baghra's power, anyway?" I asked, the thought occurring to me for the first time. She was an amplifier like the Darkling, but he had his own power, too. "I'm not sure," he said. "I think she was a Tidemaker. No one around here is old enough to remember." He looked down at me. The cold air had put a flush in his cheeks, and the lamplight shone in his gray eyes. "Alina, if I tell you that I still believe we can find the stag, would you think I'm mad?" "Why would you care what I think?" He looked genuinely baffled. "I don't know," he said. "But I do." And then he kissed me. It happened so suddenly that I barely had time to react. One moment, I was staring into his slate-colored eyes, and the next, his lips were pressed to mine. I felt that familiar sense of surety melt through me as my body sang with sudden heat and my heart jumped into a skittery dance. Then, just as suddenly, he stepped back. He looked as surprised as I felt. "I By Leigh Bardugo Baghra Power Looked Darkling Eyes

I took a breath. "Your highness - ""Nikolai," he corrected. "But I've also been known to answer to 'sweetheart' or 'handsome. By Leigh Bardugo Nikolai Breath Sweetheart Handsome Highness

She lived in happy solitude, and grew old, and never worried when her beauty faded, for in her reflection she always saw a free woman. By Leigh Bardugo Solitude Faded Woman Lived Happy

Nina pulled the pins from her hair, shucked off the blonde wig, and tossed it on the table they'd set in the middle of the tomb. She slumped into a chair, rubbing her fingers along her scalp. "So much better," she said with a happy sigh. But Matthias could not ignore the almost greenish cast to her skin. She was worse tonight. Either she'd run into trouble with Smeet or she'd simply overexerted herself. And yet, watching her, Matthias felt something in him ease. At least now she looked like Nina again, her brown hair in damp tangles, her eyes half-shut. Was it normal to be fascinated by the way someone slouched? By Leigh Bardugo Shucked Wig Tomb Pulled Pins

Perhaps you should put me down?" suggested Nina. Reality crashed in on Matthias - the guards' knowing looks, Zoya and Genya in the doorway, and the fact that in the course of kissing Nina Zenik with a year's worth of pent-up desire, he had lifted her clear off her feet. A tide of embarrassment flooded through him. What Fjerdan did such a thing? Gently, he released his hold on her magnificent thighs and let her slide to the ground. "Shameless ," Nina whispered, and he felt his cheeks go red. Zoya rolled her eyes. "We're making a deal with a pair of love-struck teenagers. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Suggested Zoya Put Matthias

Nina turned her face to the water, looking out at the narrow houses that lined the Geldcanal. Jesper saw that the residents had filled their windows with candles, as if these small gestures might somehow push back the dark. "I'm pretending those lights are for him," she said. She plucked a stray red petal from Matthias' chest, sighed, and released his hand, rising slowly. "I know it's time." Jesper put his arm around her. "He loved you so much, Nina. Loving you made him better." "Did it make a difference in the end?" "Of course it did," said Inej. "Matthias and I didn't pray to the same god, but we knew there was something beyond this life. He went easier to the next world knowing he'd done good in this one. By Leigh Bardugo Geldcanal Water Nina Turned Face

I didn't belong in this beautiful world, and if I didn't find a away to use my power, I never would. By Leigh Bardugo World Power Belong Beautiful Find

Ten silos," Inej said. "Nine crossings." "They're a lot taller up close," said Nina. "Are you ready for this?" Inej couldn't deny they were intimidating. "No matter the height of the mountain, the climbing is the same." "That's not technically true. You need ropes, picks - " "Don't be a Matthias. By Leigh Bardugo Ten Silos Inej Nina Crossings

Her silks were feathers, and she was free. By Leigh Bardugo Feathers Free Silks

What god do you serve? Inej had asked him. Whichever will grant me good fortune. Fortunate people didn't end up racing ass over teakettle beneath an ice moat in hostile territory. By Leigh Bardugo Serve God Inej Whichever Fortune

Usually he liked the quiet; in fact, he would have happily sewn most people's lips shut. But when she wanted to, Inej had a way of making you feel her silence. It tugged at your edges. By Leigh Bardugo Quiet Fact Shut Inej Happily

Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?""Knife to the throat?" asked Inej."Gun to the back?" said Jesper."Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina."You're all horrible," said Matthias. By Leigh Bardugo Back Kaz Leaned Knife Inej

Nina is everything you say. It's too much.""Mmm," Inej murmured, taking a sip from her mug. "Maybe you're just not enough. By Leigh Bardugo Mmm Nina Inej Much Murmured

You still may die in the Dregs."Inej's dark eyes had glinted. "I may. But I'll die on my feet with a knife in my hand. By Leigh Bardugo Dregs Inej Glinted Dark Eyes

Greed is your god, Kaz."He almost laughed at that. "No, Inej. Greed bows to me. It is my servant and my lever. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Inej God Greed Laughed

Inej's mother had told her that gifted wire walkers were descended from the People of the Air, that they'd once had wings, and that in the right light, those wings could still be glimpsed on the humans to whom they showed favor. By Leigh Bardugo Air People Wings Inej Light

Wesay nothing. We know the slight was not deliberate. We live in tight quarters, traveling together. There's no time to constantly be apologizing for existing. But when someone does wrong, when we make mistakes, we don't say sorry. We promise to make amends.""I will.""Mati en sheva yelu. This action will have no echo. It means we won't repeat the same mistakes, that we won't continue to do harm."Inej and Jesper (p338) By Leigh Bardugo Wesay Mistakes Make Mati Deliberate

We don't look anything alike." "You're both tall," Inej offered. "And neither of us have gills," said Nina. "That doesn't mean we look related. By Leigh Bardugo Alike Inej Nina Tall Offered

He made himself refocus on Inej's feet. "Saints," he said.Inej grimaced. "That bad?""No, you just have really ugly feet.""Ugly feet that go you on this roof. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Saints Made Refocus Ugly

We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren't chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway. Inej By Leigh Bardugo Ordinary Learn Wring Magic Chosen

Maybe there were people who lived those lives. Maybe this girl was one of them. But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren't chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway. By Leigh Bardugo Lives People Lived Learn Girl

We'll be Kings and Queens, Inej. Kings and Queens. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Queens Kings

Where do think the money went?" he repeated. "Guns?" asked Jesper. "Ships?" queried Inej. "Bombs?" suggested Wylan. "Political bribes?" offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. "This is where you tell us how awful we are," she whispered. He shrugged. "They all seem like practical choices. By Leigh Bardugo Guns Repeated Ships Bombs Jesper

Inej cast a meaningful glance at his cane. "Have a long trip down," she said, then leapt onto the banister, sliding from one flight to the next, slick as butter in a pan. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Cane Cast Meaningful Glance

Nina glanced from Inej to Kaz and saw they both wore the same expression. Nina knew that look. It came after the shipwreck, when the tide moved against you and the sky had gone dark. It was the first sight of land, the hope of shelter and even salvation that might await you on a distant shore. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Kaz Nina Expression Glanced

They said nothing, caught in an eddy of silence, not touching, her knees on either side of him. Inej's eyes were wide and dark, lost planets, black moons. By Leigh Bardugo Caught Silence Touching Eddy Knees

That boy had betrayed his weakness in a single glance, had ceded the war for the sake of a single battle, and put Inej--all of them--in danger. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Single Glance Battle Danger

She'd often wished to chip away a bit of his arrogance, but she couldn't bear the idea of seeing Kaz stripped of his pride. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Arrogance Pride Wished Chip

Scheming face," Inej murmured. Jesper nodded. "Definitely. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Scheming Face Murmured Jesper

Gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse. Inej By Leigh Bardugo Grisha Suli Barrel Gambler Convict

She was Inej Ghafa, and she would not quiver like a rabbit in a snare. By Leigh Bardugo Ghafa Inej Snare Quiver Rabbit

Remember our friend Mark?" Wylan winced. Let's say the mark is a tourist walking through the Barrel. He's heard it's a good place to get rolled, so he keeps patting his wallet, making sure it's there, congratulating himself on just how alert and cautious he;s being. No fool he. Of course every thime he pats his back pocket or the front of his coat, what is he doing? He's telliing every thief on the Stave exactly where he keeps his scrub.""Saints," grumbled Nina. "I've probably done that.""Everyone does," said Inej.Jesper lifted a brow. "Not everyone.""That's only because you never have anything in your wallet," Nina shot back."Mean.""Factual.""Facts are for the unimaginative," Jesper said with a dismissive wave. By Leigh Bardugo Mark Remember Friend Nina Wallet

His voice had the rough, abraded texture of stone against stone. Inej always wondered if he'd sounded that way as a little boy. If he'd ever been a little boy. By Leigh Bardugo Boy Stone Rough Abraded Voice

Nina would never let Kaz abandon her. She'd fight with everything she had to free Inej even if she was still in the grips of Parem. Matthias would stand by her with that great heart full of honor. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Nina Abandon Parem Inej

Neither of the costumes fit properly. Inej's purple silks were far too loose, and as for Nina ... "What the hell is this supposed to be?" she said, looking down at herself. The plunging gown barely covered her substantial cleavage and clung tightly to her buttocks. It had been wrought to look like blue-green scales, giving way to a shimmering chiffon fan. "Maybe a mermaid?" suggested Inej. "Or a wave?" "I thought I was a horse." "Well they weren't going to put you in a dress of hooves. By Leigh Bardugo Properly Costumes Fit Nina Inej

But all he could think of was Inej. She had to live. She had to have made it out of the Ice Court. And if she hadn't, then he had to live to rescue her. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Live Court Ice Made

She smiled then, her cheeks red, her cheeks scattered with some kind of dust. It was a smile he thought he might die to earn again. By Leigh Bardugo Cheeks Red Dust Smiled Scattered

Nina - " Inej murmured. "Don't you start in on me." "It will all work out. Let Kaz do what he does best." "He's horrible." "But effective. Being angry at Kaz for being ruthless is like being angry at a stove for being hot. You know what he is." Nina crossed her arms. "I'm mad at you, too." "Me? Why?" "I don't know yet. I just am. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Murmured Kaz Nina Angry

I didn't come looking for an apology, Jesper. You have a weak spot. We all have weak spots.""What's yours?""The company I keep," she said with a slight smile. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Apology Weak Spot Spots

The blood you spill is the blood of kings," seethed Dunyasha. "You are not fit for such a gift." (...)Inej raised a brow and slowly wiped the blood of kings on her trousers. By Leigh Bardugo Dunyasha Blood Seethed Kings Spill

Tell me about Dunyasha," he said. "She was carrying quality blades." Inej took the shears from the table of the vanity and began cutting fresh strips of cloth from one of the towels. "I think she may be my shadow." "Pretty solid shadow if she can throw knives." "The Suli believe that when we do wrong, we give life to our shadows. Every sin makes the shadow stronger, until eventually the shadow is stronger than you.""If that were true, my shadow would have put Ketterdam in permanent night.""Maybe," Inej said, turning her dark gaze to his. "Or maybe you're someone else's shadow. By Leigh Bardugo Dunyasha Shadow Inej Stronger Pretty

Shall I tell you the secret of true love? her father once asked her. A friend of mine liked to tell me that women love flowers. He had many flirtations, but he never found a wife. Do you know why? Because women may love flowers, but only one woman loves the scent of gardenias in late summer that remind her of her grandmother's porch. Only one woman loves apple blossoms in a blue cup. Only one woman loves wild geraniums. That's Mama! Inej had cried. Yes, Mama loves wild geraniums because no other flower has quite the same color, and she claims that when she snaps the stem and puts a sprig behind her ear, the whole world smells like summer. Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart. That By Leigh Bardugo Loves Woman Love Favorite Mama

Inej's mother and father might still shed tears for the daughter they'd lost, but if Inej died tonight, there would be no one to grieve for the girl she was now. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Lost Tonight Mother Father

Do not bend," Nina snapped. "Do not leap. Do not move abruptly. If you don't promise to take it easy, I'll slow your heart and keep you in a coma until I can be sure you've recovered fully." "Nina Zenik, as soon as I figure out where you've put my knifes, we're going to have words." "The first ones had better be 'Thank you, oh great Nina, for dedicating every waking moment of this miserable journey to saving my sorry life'" Jasper expected Inej to laugh and was startled when she took Nina's face between her hands and said, "Thank you for keeping me in this world when fate seemed determined to drag me to the next. I owe you a life debt." Nina blushed deeply. "I was teasing, Inej." She paused. "I think we've both had enough of debts." "This is one I'm glad to bear. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Bend Snapped Inej Life

A liar, a thief, and utterly without conscience. But he'll keep to any deal you strike with him. By Leigh Bardugo Liar Thief Conscience Utterly Deal

Her heart felt too full, a dry creek bed ill-prepared for such rain. By Leigh Bardugo Full Rain Heart Felt Dry

When Inej was on the high wire, it became her world. She could feel its tilt and pull. It was a planet and she was its moon. There was a simplicity to it that she never felt on the swings, where she was carried away by momentum. She loved the stillness she could find on the wire, and it was something no one else understood. She had fallen only once, and she By Leigh Bardugo Inej World High Wire Pull

I need someone who can be invisible, who can become a ghost. Do you think you can do that?"I'm already a ghost, she thought. I died in the hold of a slaver ship."i think so. By Leigh Bardugo Ghost Invisible Thought Ship Died

To hell with revenge, to hell with his schemes. If Rollins had done something to Inej, Kaz would paint East Stave with his entrails. By Leigh Bardugo Hell Revenge Schemes Inej Kaz

You couldn't train a falcon , then expect it not to hunt. By Leigh Bardugo Falcon Hunt Train Expect

I will have you without armor. Those were the words she'd said to Kaz aboard the Ferolind, desperate for some sign that he might open himself to her, that they could be more than two wary creatures united by their distrust of the world. By Leigh Bardugo Armor Ferolind Kaz Desperate World

She was not a lynx or a spider or even the Wraith. She was Inej Ghafa, and her future was waiting above. By Leigh Bardugo Wraith Lynx Spider Ghafa Inej

I've been nothing but kind to you. I'm not some sort of monster.""No, you're the man who sits idly by, congratulating yourself on your decency, while the monster eats his fill. At least a monster has teeth and a spine. By Leigh Bardugo Kind Monster Monster Congratulating Decency

Nina rested her chin atop Inej's silky hair. "Zoya used to say that fear is a phoenix. You can watch it burn a thousand times and still it will return." (p188) By Leigh Bardugo Inej Nina Hair Zoya Rested

The heat of the incinerator wrapped around Inej like a living thing, a desert dragon in his den, hiding from the ice, waiting for her. She knew her body's limits, and she knew she had no more to give. She'd made a bad wager. It was as simple as that. The autumn leaf might cling to its branch, but it was already dead. The only question was when it would fall. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Thing Den Hiding Ice

Inej was always trying to wring little bits of decency from him. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Wring Bits Decency

You came back for me." "I protect my investments." Investments. "I'm glad I'm bleeding all over your shirt. By Leigh Bardugo Investments Back Protect Shirt Glad

Please, my darling Inej, treasure of my heart, won't you do me the honor of acquiring me a new hat? By Leigh Bardugo Inej Treasure Heart Hat Darling

Speak, she begged silently. Give me a reason to stay. For all his selfishness and cruelty, Kaz was still the boy who had saved her. She wanted to believe he was worth saving, too. By Leigh Bardugo Speak Silently Begged Kaz Give

Just this minute, I'll settle for an apology, she decided. And I wont' board the boat without one. Even if Kaz isn't sorry, he can pretend. He at least owes me his best imitation of a human being. By Leigh Bardugo Minute Apology Decided Settle Kaz

So," Jesper said, adding sugar to his coffee. "Other than Inej making a new pal, what the hell happened out there?" "Let's see," said Nina. "Inej fell twenty stories." "We put a serious hole in my father's dining room ceiling," Wylan offered."Nina can raise the dead," said Inej. Matthias' cup clattered against his saucer. It looked ridiculous in his huge hand. "I can't raise them. I mean, they get up, but it's not like they come back to life. I don't think. I'm not totally sure. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Inej Adding Coffee Nina

What do you want then?The old answers came easily to mind. Money. Vengeance. Jordie's voice in my head silenced forever. But a different reply roared to life inside him, loud, insistent, and unwelcome. You, Inej. You. By Leigh Bardugo Mind Answers Easily Money Inej

Everything in him recoiled. The water was cold against his legs. His body had gone numb and yet he could still feel the wet give of his brother's rotting flesh beneath his hands. It's shame that eats men whole. He was drowning in it. Drowning in the Ketterdam harbor. His eyes blurred. "It isn't easy for me either." Her voice, low and steady, the voice that had once led him back from hell. By Leigh Bardugo Recoiled Drowning Voice Legs Ketterdam

The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true. By Leigh Bardugo Arrow Heart True Demands Aim

I'm mad at you, too." "Me? Why?" "I don't know yet. I just am." Inej By Leigh Bardugo Mad Inej

We meet fear. We greet the unexpected visitor and listen to what he has to tell us. When fear arrives, something is about to happen. By Leigh Bardugo Meet Fear Arrives Happen Greet

What you want and what the world needs are not always in accord, Kaz. Praying and wishing are not the same thing. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Accord World Praying Thing

I'm a very valuable investment.""Tell me he didn't say that.""Of course he did. Well, not the valuable part.""Idiot.""How's Matthias?""Also an idiot. By Leigh Bardugo Idiot Investment That Matthias Valuable

The sun was out for once, and Inej had turned her face to it. Her eyes were shut, her oil-black lashes fanned over her cheeks. The harbor wind had lifted her dark hair, and for a moment Kaz was a boy again, sure that there was magic in this world. By Leigh Bardugo Inej Sun Turned Face Kaz

Jesper Llewellyn Fahey, that is enough!" Colm roared. (...)Inej cocked her head to one side. "Jesper Llewellyn Fahey?""Shut up," said Jesper. "It's a family name."Inej made a solemn bow. "Whatever you say, Llewellyn. By Leigh Bardugo Fahey Llewellyn Jesper Inej Shut

He felt greedy for something. He'd wanted to kiss Wylan since he'd first seen him stirring chemicals in that gruesome tannery - ruddy curls damp with the heat, skin so delicate it looked like it would bruise if you breathed on it too hard. He looked like he'd fallen into the wrong story, a prince turned pauper. From then on, Jesper had been stuck somewhere between the desire to taunt the pampered little merchling into another blush and the urge to flirt him into a quiet corner just to see what might happen. But sometime during their hours at the Ice Court, that curiosity had changed. He'd felt the tug of something more, something that came to life in Wylan's unexpected courage, in his wide-eyed, generous way of looking at the world. It made Jesper feel like a kite on a tether, lifted up and then plummeting down, and he liked it. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Greedy Looked Jesper Felt

At night, the boy and the girl lie curled around each other in the belly of the ship. He holds her tight when she wakes from another nightmare, her teeth chattering, her ears ringing with the terrified screams of the men and women she left behind on the broken skiff, her limbs trembling with remembered power. "It's all right," he whispers in the darkness. "It's all right." She wants to believe him, but she's afraid to close her eyes. The By Leigh Bardugo Night Ship Boy Girl Lie

A friend of mine liked to tell me that women love flowers. He had many flirtations, but he never found a wife. Do you know why? Because women may love flowers, but only one woman loves the scent of gardenias in late summer that remind her of her grandmother's porch. Only one woman loves apple blossoms in a blue cup. Only one woman loves wild geraniums. By Leigh Bardugo Woman Flowers Loves Friend Mine

Though Kaz's tone was easy, Matthias heard the dark anticipation in his words. He had often wondered how people survived this city, but it was possible Ketterdam would not survive Kaz Brekker. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Kaz Easy Words Brekker

What are you looking at, Matthias?" The low thrum of her voice vibrated straight through him. He kept his eyes on the ceiling, whispering softly. "Nothing." "Matthias, are you praying?" "Possibly." "For restraint?" she said sweetly. "You really are a witch." "I'm not proper, Matthias." "I am aware of this." Miserably, keenly, hungrily aware. "And I'm sorry to inform you, but you're not proper either." His gaze dropped to her now. "I - " "How many rules have you broken since you met me? How many laws? They won't be the last. Nothing about us will ever be proper," she said. She tilted her face up to his. So close now it was as if they were already touching. "Not the way we met. Not the life we lead. And not the way we kiss. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Proper Possibly Aware Met

Simple as that," said Nina. "Did you know I'm next in line for the Fjerdan throne? They call me Princess Ilse of Engelsberg." "There is no princess of Engelsberg," said Matthias. "It's a fishing town." Nina shrugged. "If we're going to lie to ourselves, we might as well be grand about it. By Leigh Bardugo Engelsberg Simple Nina Princess Fjerdan

That first winter, when it was time for her friends to leave, the girl ventured out into the show to say goodbye, and the stunning raven-haired Squaller handed her another gift. "A blue kefta," said the math teacher, shaking her head. "What would she do with that?""Maybe she knew a Grisha who died," replied the cook, taking note of the tears that filled the girl's eyes. They did not see the note that read, You will always be one of us. By Leigh Bardugo Squaller Winter Leave Goodbye Gift

Try not to let the excitement overwhelm you, but I have more good news.'I groaned. I knew that tone of voice. 'Don't say it.''Vasily is back from Caryeva.''You could do the kind thing and drown me now.''And suffer alone? I think not.''Maybe for your birthday you can ask that he be fitted with a royal muzzle,' I suggested.'But then we'd miss all his exciting stories about the summer auctions. You're fascinated by the breeding superiority of the Ravkan racehorse, right?'I let out a whimper. By Leigh Bardugo News Groaned Excitement Overwhelm Good

It's always been this way. There were rumors about me even before I was born. It's why my mother never calls me Sobachka. She says it makes me sound like a mongrel."My heart gave a little pang at that. I'd been called plenty of names growing up."I like mongrels," I said. "They have cute floppy ears.""My ears are very dignified. By Leigh Bardugo Sobachka Born Rumors Mongrel Mongrels

There were patterns in the way people moved, the way they clustered around power. They thought they were drifting, milling aimlessly, but really they were being drawn towards people of status. By Leigh Bardugo Moved Power People Patterns Clustered

You let Mal come back for me. After you gave me your vow.""He broke away," said Tamar.I lifted a brow. The day Mal could break Tolya's hold was indeed a day of miracles.Tolya hung his head and heaved his huge shoulders. "Forgive me," he said. "I couldn't be the one to keep him from you. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Back Day Forgive Tolya

What do you want, Mal?" The room seemed very quiet. "Don't ask me that.""Why not?""Because it can't be.""I want to hear it anyway."He blew out a long breath. "Say goodnight. Tell me to leave, Alina.""No.""You need an army. You need a crown.""I do."He laughed then. "I know I'm supposed to say something nobleI want a united Ravka free from the Fold. I want the Darkling in the ground, where he can never hurt you or anyone else again." He gave a rueful shake of his head. "But I guess I'm the same selfish ass I've always been. For all my talk of vows and honor, what I really want is to put you up against that wall and kiss you until you forget you ever knew another man's name. So tell me to go, Alina. Because I can't give you a title or an army or any of the things you need. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Army Alina Quiet Fold

When I entered and shut the door, the Darkling gave me a small bow. "How are you, Alina?""I'm fine," I managed."She's fine!" hooted Baghra. "She's fine! She cannot light a hallway, but she's fine."I winced and wished I could disappear into my boots.To my surprise, the Darkling said, "Leave her be."Baghra's eyes narrowed. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"The Darkling sighed and ran his hands through his dark hair in exasperation. When he looked at me, there was a rueful smile on his lips, and his hair was going every which way. "Baghra has her own way of doing things," he said."Don't patronize me, boy!" Her voice cracked out like a whip. To my amazement, I saw the Darkling stand up straighter and then scowl as if he'd caught himself."Don't chide me, old woman," he said in a low, dangerous voice. By Leigh Bardugo Darkling Fine Baghra Door Bow

If it works, it will be plenty dramatic. And I suppose that if it doesn't work, it will be even more dramatic, what with the blast.""David, I think you just made a joke."He frowned, utterly perplexed. "Did I? By Leigh Bardugo Dramatic David Plenty Works Work

And there's no way I'm leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.""So you don't trust me to resist his charms?""I don't even trust myself. I've never seen anyone work a crowd the way he does. I'm pretty sure the rocks and trees are getting ready to swear fealty to him. By Leigh Bardugo Perfect Prince Trust Charms Leaving

I just know there's no way to live without painno matter how long or short your life is. People let you down. You get hurt and do damage in return. By Leigh Bardugo Live Painno Matter Long Short

So what did Jes say?' I asked again, when my brain felt a bit less scrambled.'He said I should take good care of you.''That's all?'Mal cleared his throat. 'And ... he said he would pray to the God of Work to heal your affliction.''My what?''I many have told him that you have a goiter.'I stumbled. 'I beg your pardon?''Well, I had to explain why you were always clinging to that scarf.'I dropped my hand. I'd been doing it again without even realizing.'So you told him I had a goiter?' I whispered incredulously.'I had to say something. And it makes you quite a tragic figure. Pretty girl, giant growth, you know.'I punched him hard in the arm.'Ow! Hey, in some countries, goiters are considered very fashionable.''Do they like eunuchs, too? Because I can arrange that.''So bloodthirsty!''My goiter makes me cranky. By Leigh Bardugo Jes Mal Told Goiter Makes

Kaz reached into his coat pocket. "Here," he said and handed Jesper a slender book with an elaborate cover."Are we going to read to each other?""Just flip it open to the back."Jesper opened the book and peered at the last page, puzzled. "So?""Hold it up so we don't have to look at your ugly face.""My face has character. Besides - oh!""An excellent read, isn't it?""Who knew I had a taste for literature? By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Kaz Pocket Reached Coat

On the day the Grisha Examiners came, the boy and the girl were perched in the window seat of a dusty upstairs bedroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mail coach. Instead, they saw a sleigh, a troika pulled by three black horses, pass through the white stone gates onto the estate. By Leigh Bardugo Grisha Examiners Bedroom Hoping Coach

I pressed my forehead to Mal's and heard him whisper, "I'll meet you in the meadow." Something inside me gave way, in fury, in hopelessness, in the certainty of my own death. I felt Mal's blood beneath my palms, saw the pain in his beloved face. A volcra screeched in triumph as its talons sank into my shoulder. Pain shot through my body. And the world went white. I closed my eyes as a sudden, piercing flood of light exploded across my vision. It seemed to fill my head, blinding me, drowning me. From somewhere above, I heard a horrible shriek. I felt the volcra's claws loosen their grip, felt the thud as I fell forward and my head connected with the deck, and then I felt nothing at all. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Felt Whisper Meadow Pressed

As for Nina, Genya had offered up a glorious red kefta from her collection and they'd pulled out the embroidery, altering it from blue to black. She and Genya were hardly the same size, but they'd managed to let out the seams and sew in a few extra panels. It had felt strange to wear a proper kefta after so long. The one Nina had worn at the House of the White Rose had been a costume, cheap finery meant to impress their clientele. This was the real thing, worn by soldiers of the Second Army, made of raw silk dyed in a red only a Fabrikator could create. Did she even have a right to wear such a thing now? When Matthias had seen her, he'd frozen in the doorway of the suite, his blue eyes shocked. They'd stood there in silence until he'd finally said, "You look very beautiful." "You mean I look like the enemy." "Both of those things have always been true." Then he'd simply offered her his arm. By Leigh Bardugo Genya Nina Embroidery Altering Black

I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard."He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I thought he'd spotted trouble, but then his arms were around me and his lips were pressed to mine.When he finally drew back, my cheeks were warm and my legs had gone wobbly."Just to be clear," he said, "I'm not really interested in defending your honor.""Understood," I managed, hoping I didn't sound too ridiculously breathless. By Leigh Bardugo Eyes Rolled Defending Understood Honor

Of course we will. You've saved my life. I've saved yours." "I think you're ahead on that count." "No, I don't mean in the big ways." Nina's eyes took them all in. "I mean the little rescues. Laughing at my jokes. Forgiving me when I was foolish. Never trying to make me feel small. It doesn't matter if it's next month, or next year, or ten years from now, those will be the things I remember when I see you again. By Leigh Bardugo Saved Life Count Nina Ahead

Matthias examined the posters. "One hundred thousand kruge!" He shot a disbelieving glower at Kaz. "You're hardly worth taht."The hint of a smile tugged at Kaz's lips. "As the market wills it.""Tell me about it," said Jesper. "They're only offering thirty thousand for me.""Your lives are at stake," said Wylan. "How can you act like this is a competition?""We're stuck in a tomb, merchling. You take the action where you find it. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Posters Kaz Examined Thousand

He hopped lightly from the stairs and jogged off to join his friends. "Wish me luck!" he called over his shoulder. "Good luck," I said automatically and then wanted to kick myself. Good luck? Have a lovely time, Mal. Hope you find a pretty Grisha, fall deeply in love, and make lots of gorgeous, disgustingly talented babies together. I sat frozen on the steps, watching them disappear down the path, still feeling the warm pressure of Mal's hand in mine. Oh well, I thought as I got to my feet. Maybe he' ll fall into a ditch on his way there. I By Leigh Bardugo Luck Good Friends Hopped Lightly

David furrowed his brow. "I ... I don't understand half of what goes on around me. I don't get jokes or sunsets or poetry, but I know metal." His fingers flexed unconsciously as if he were physically grasping for words. "Beauty was your armor. Fragile stuff, all show. But what's inside you? That's steel. It's brave and unbreakable. And it doesn't need fixing." He drew in a deep breath then awkwardly stepped forward. He took her face in his hands and kissed her.Genya went regid. I thought she'd push him away. But then she threw her arms around him and kissed him back. Emphatically. Mal cleared his throat, and Tamar gave a low whistle. I had to bite my lip to stifle a nervous laugh.They broke apart. David was blushing furiously. Genya's grin was so dazzling it made my heart twist in my chest. By Leigh Bardugo Brow Furrowed David Kissed Beauty

Thanks for being my best friend and making my life bearable. Oh, and sorry I fell in love with you for a while there. By Leigh Bardugo Bearable Friend Making Life Fell

Wylan's legs gave out and he sat down hard, right there in the middle of the road, and he couldn't bring himself to care because the tears were coming and there was no way he could stop them. They gusted through his chest in ragged, ugly sobs. He hated that Jesper was seeing him cry, but there was nothing he could do, not about the tears, not about any of it. He buried his face in his arms, covering his head as if, were he to only will it strongly enough, he could vanish. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Hard Road Tears Legs

What does that mean?" Matthias asked. "Goedmedbridge?" "Good maiden bridge." "Why is it called that?" Nina leaned against the doorway and said, "Well, the story is that when a woman found out her husband had fallen in love with a girl from West Stave and planned to leave her, she came to the bridge and, rather than live without him, hurled herself into the canal." "Over a man with so little honor?" "You'd never be tempted? All the fruits and flesh of West Stave before you?" "Would you throw yourself off a bridge for a man who was?" "I wouldn't throw myself off a bridge for the king of Ravka. By Leigh Bardugo Bridge West Stave Goedmedbridge Man

Well, the story is that when a woman found out her husband had fallen in love with a girl from West Stave and planned to leave her, she came to the bridge and, rather than live without him, hurled herself into the canal." "Over a man with so little honor?" "You'd never be tempted? All the fruits and flesh of West Stave before you?" "Would you throw yourself off a bridge for a man who was?" "I wouldn't throw myself off a bridge for the king of Ravka." "It's a terrible story," said Matthias. "I doubt it's true. It's just what happens when you let men name the bridges. By Leigh Bardugo West Stave Bridge Hurled Canal

Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. 'Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost. By Leigh Bardugo Fine Jesper Heavenward Knocked Head

He didn't take her out of the city," she'd said, cheeks glowing with color for the first time since she'd emerged from her battle with parem . "It's obvious he's keeping her there." But Kaz had simply gazed into the middle distance with that odd look on his face and said, "Too obvious." "Kaz - " "How would you like a hundred kruge ?" "What's the catch?" "Exactly. Van Eck's making it too easy. He's treating us like marks. But he isn't Barrel born, and we aren't a bunch of dumb culls ready to jump at the first shiny lure he flashes. Van Eck wants us to think she's on that island. Maybe she is. But he'll have plenty of firepower waiting for us too, maybe even a few Grisha using parem ." "Always hit where the mark isn't looking," Wylan had murmured. "Sweet Ghezen," said Jesper. "You've been thoroughly corrupted. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz City Cheeks Obvious Eck

Goed morgen, fentomen!" a deckhand shouts to them as he passes by, his arms full of rope. All the ship's crew call them fentomen. It is the Kerch word for ghosts. When the girl asks the quartermaster why, he laughs and says it's because they are so pale and because of the way they stand silent at the ship's railing, staring at the sea for hours, as if they've never seen water before. She smiles and does not tell him the truth: that they must keep their eyes on the horizon. They are watching for a ship with black sails. Baghra's By Leigh Bardugo Fentomen Ship Goed Morgen Rope

I'm ambitious, Alina. I'm driven. But I hope ... I hope I still know the difference between right and wrong." He hesitated. "I offered you freedom, and I meant it. If tomorrow you decided to run back to Novyi Zem with Mal, I'd put you on a ship and let the sea take you." He held my gaze, his hazel eyes steady. "But I'd be sorry to see you go. By Leigh Bardugo Alina Ambitious Hope Driven Mal

I like singing," said Alys. Wylan shook his head frantically, mouthing, No, no, no. "Shall I sing?" Alys asked hopefully. "Bajan says that I'm good enough to be on the stage." "Maybe we save that for later - " suggested Jesper. Alys' lower lip began to wobble like a plate about to break. "Sing," Matthias blurted, "by all means, sing." And then the real nightmare began. It wasn't that Alys was so bad, she just never stopped. She sang between bites of food. She sang while she was walking through the graves. She sang from behind a bush when she needed to relieve herself. When she finally dozed off, she hummed in her sleep . "Maybe this was Van Eck's plan all along," Kaz said glumly when they'd assembled outside the tomb again. "To drive us mad?" said Nina. "It's working." Jesper shut his eyes and groaned. "Diabolical. By Leigh Bardugo Alys Sing Singing Sang Jesper

Help me," said Jesper. "We need to barricade the entrance." The man behind the desk wore gray scholar's robes. His nostrils were flared so wide in effrontery that Jesper feared being sucked up one of them. "Young man - " Jesper pointed his gun at the scholar's chest. "Move." "Jesper!" his father said. "Don't worry, Da. People point guns at each other all the time in Ketterdam. It's basically a handshake." "Is that true?" his father asked as the scholar grudgingly moved aside and they shoved the heavy desk in front of the door. "Absolutely," said Wylan. "Certainly not ," said the scholar. By Leigh Bardugo Jesper Scholar Man Father Desk

Jesper!" I'm going to kill that little idiot. "What do you want?" he shouted down. "Close your eyes!" "You can't kiss me from down there, Wylan." "Just do it!" "This better be good!" He shut his eyes. "Are they closed?" "Damn it, Wylan, yes, they're - " There was a shrill, shrieking howl, and then bright light bloomed behind Jesper's lids. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Jesper Eyes Close Damn

He thumbed quickly through the ledger and said, "When people see a cripple walking down the street, leaning on his cane, what do they feel?" Wylan looked away. People always did when Kaz talked about his limp, as if he didn't know what he was or how the world saw him. "They feel pity. Now, what do they think when they see me coming?" Wylan's mouth quirked up at the corner. "They think they'd better cross the street." Kaz tossed the ledger back in the safe. "You're not weak because you can't read. You're weak because you're afraid of people seeing your weakness. You're letting shame decide who you are. By Leigh Bardugo People Leaning Cane Street Thumbed

Why does your weak king send a filthy pirate to do his bidding?" sneered the Fjerdan ambassador, his words echoing across the cathedral."Privateer," corrected Sturmhond. "I suppose he thought my good looks would give me the advantage. Not a concern where you're from, I take it?""Preening, ridiculous peacock. You stink of Grisha foulness." Sturmhond sniffed the air. "I'm amazed you can detect anything over the reek of ice and inbreeding." The ambassador turned purple, and one of his companions hastily drew him away. By Leigh Bardugo Privateer Fjerdan Bidding Sneered Cathedral

I was just a girl again, but this girl didn't owe her strength to fate or chance or a grand destiny. I'd been born with my power; the rest I'd earned. By Leigh Bardugo Girl Destiny Owe Strength Fate

Back in the sitting room, Wylan was lighting the lamps. "Are you hungry?""Famished," said Jesper. "But Da's asleep. I'm not sure we're allowed to ring for food." He cocked his head to one side, peering at Wylan. "Did you have her make you better-looking?" Wylan pinked. "Maybe you forgot how handsome I am." Jesper raised a brow. "Okay, maybe a little. By Leigh Bardugo Famished Wylan Back Room Lamps

The sweet roll smelled divine, and I thanked him, prancing my way back to Mal and feeling quite pleased with myself. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down a muddy walkway between two houses. "What do you think you're doing?" "Nobody saw me. He just thought I was another peasant girl." "We can't take risks like that." "So you don't want a bite?" He hesitated. "I didn't say that." "I was going to give you a bite, but since you don't want one, I'll just have to eat the whole thing myself."Mal grabbed for the roll, but I danced out of reach, dodging left and right, away from his hands. I could see his surprise, and I loved it. I wasn't the same clumsy girl he remembered. "You are a brat," he growled and took another swipe. "Ah, but I'm a brat with a sweet roll. By Leigh Bardugo Divine Prancing Mal Roll Smelled

Kuwei poked his head out of the huge stone tomb as they approached. "What did I tell you?" Kaz growled, pointing his cane at him. "My Kerch isn't very good," protested Kuwei. "Don't run game on me, kid. It's good enough. Stay in the tomb." Kuwei hung his head. "Stay in the tomb," he repeated glumly. By Leigh Bardugo Kuwei Stay Approached Tomb Poked

Because I am a doll, and a servant. Because I am a pretty thing and a soldier all the same. By Leigh Bardugo Doll Servant Pretty Thing Soldier

Mal was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "I'm not sure who my first kill was. We were hunting the stag when we ran into a Fjerdan patrol on the northern border. I don't think the fight lasted more than a few minutes, but I killed three men. They were doing a job, same as I was, trying to get through one day to the next, then they were bleeding in the snow. No way to tell who was the first to fall, and I'm not sure it matters. You keep them at a distance. The faces start to blur.""Really?""No. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Moment Quiet Long Fjerdan

The fox and the nightingale made a quiet life together. A lesser creature might have held Koja's mistakes against him, might have mocked him for his pride. But Lula was not only clever. She was wise. By Leigh Bardugo Fox Nightingale Made Quiet Life

How many times have you told me you're a monster? So be a monster. Be the thing they all fear when they close their eyes at night. By Leigh Bardugo Monster Times Told Night Thing

Mal took a single tentative step toward me. Then he closed the space between us in two long strides. One hand slid around my waist, the other cupped my face. Gently, he titled my mouth up to his."Come back to me," he said softly. He drew me to him, but as his lips met mine, something flickered in the corner of my eye. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Single Tentative Step Strides

It's simply a question of finding the right incentive. Pauper or prince, every man can be bought By Leigh Bardugo Incentive Simply Question Finding Pauper

If you write, you're a writer. By Leigh Bardugo Write Writer

I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women. By Leigh Bardugo Nikolai Baghra Unleashed Women Stockpile

Jesper gave him a little shake. "Pull it together, kid." "Not a kid," Wylan mumbled, batting Jesper's hands away. "Fine, you're an elder statesman. Do you know how to shoot?" Wylan nodded slowly. "Skeet. By Leigh Bardugo Shake Jesper Wylan Pull Fine

We're not going in through the embassy,' said Kaz. 'Always hit where the mark isn't looking.''Who's Mark?' asked Wylan.Jesper burst out laughing. 'Oh, Saints, you are something. The mark, the pigeon, the cosy, the fool you're looking to fleece. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Mark Embassy Saints Hit

It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said."Less fun.""My jabbing arm is tired. By Leigh Bardugo Stick Said Fun Tired Jabbing

When everyone knows you're a monster, you needn't waste time doing every monstrous thing. By Leigh Bardugo Monster Thing Waste Time Monstrous

It's good to feel foolish sometimes, Fjerdan.""You only say that because you have no shame. By Leigh Bardugo Fjerdan Shame Good Feel Foolish

You don't ask for forgiveness, Kaz. You earn it. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Forgiveness Earn

Periodically, the Tailor would stop and stretch and give Wylan a mirror so that he could consult on what looked right or wrong. An hour later, Wylan's irises had gone from gold to blue and the shape of his eyes had changed as well. "His brow should be narrower," Jesper said, peering over Genya's shoulder. "Just a little bit. And his lashes were longer." "I didn't know you were paying attention," murmured Wylan. Jesper grinned. "I was paying attention." "Oh good, he's blushing," said Genya. "Excellent for the circulation. By Leigh Bardugo Tailor Wylan Periodically Wrong Jesper

I want to kiss you," Nikolai said. "But I won't. Not until you're thinking of me instead of trying to forget him. By Leigh Bardugo Nikolai Kiss Thinking Forget

She rested her head on his shoulder. "You're better than waffles, Matthias Helvar." A By Leigh Bardugo Shoulder Matthias Helvar Rested Head

The boom, the bang, the flint and fuss. By Leigh Bardugo Boom Bang Fuss Flint

We are the Triumvirate. We do not take orders from Kerch street rats with dubious haircuts. By Leigh Bardugo Triumvirate Kerch Haircuts Orders Street

They wanted a Grisha queen. Mal wanted a commoner queen. And what did I want? Peace for Ravka. A chance to sleep easy in my bed without fear. An end to the guilt and dread that I woke to every morning. There were old wants too, to be loved for who I was, not what I could do, to lie in a meadow with a boy's arms around me and watch the wind move the clouds. By Leigh Bardugo Grisha Queen Wanted Ravka Mal

I stood there, staring at the closed doors. I reached out and touched the bone handle.You can fix this, I told myself. You can make this right. But I just stood there, frozen, Mal's words ringing in my ears. I bit down hard on my lip to silence the sob that shook my chest. That's good, I thought as the tears spilled over. That way the servants won't hear. An ache had started between my ribs, a hard, bright shard of pain that lodged beneath my sternum, pressing tight against my heart.I didn't hear the Darkling move; I only knew when he was beside me. His long fingers brushed the hair back from my neck and rested on the collar. When he kissed my check, his lips were cold. By Leigh Bardugo Staring Doors Closed Stood Hear

Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should have anticipated another betrayal from you, one more mad grasp at some kind of childish ideal. But I seem to be a victim of my own wishes where you are concerned." His expression hardened. "What have you come here for, Alina?"I answered him honestly. "I wanted to see you."I caught the briefest glimpse of surprise before his face shuttered again. "There are two thrones on that dais. You could see me any time you liked. By Leigh Bardugo Mine Waste Anger Fault Alina

She realized he'd stopped to change his coat and it clung to him in perfectly tailored lines. He stood leaning on his cane, hair neatly pushed back from his pale brow, a black glass boy of deadly edges. The look of surprise on Haskell's face was nearly comical. Then he started to laugh. "Well, I'll be a son of a bitch, Brekker. You have to be the craziest bastard I ever met. By Leigh Bardugo Lines Realized Stopped Change Coat

I wasn't afraid of you, Alina. I was afraid of losing you. That girl you were becoming didn't need me anymore, but she's who you were always meant to be.""Power hungry? Ruthless?""Strong." He looked away. "Luminous. And maybe a little ruthless too. That's what it takes to rule. Ravka is broken, Alina. I think it always has been. The girl I saw in the chapel could change that. By Leigh Bardugo Alina Afraid Strong Power Luminous

I thought the love I'd had for him belonged to the past, to the foolish, lonely girl I never wanted to be again. I'd tried to bury that girl and the love she'd felt, just as I'd tried to bury my power. But I wouldn't make that mistake again. By Leigh Bardugo Love Past Foolish Lonely Girl

I was impressed, and also unnerved. Being around Nikolai was always like this, watching him shift and change, revealing secrets as he went. He reminded me of the wooden nesting dolls I'd played with as a child. Except instead of getting smaller, he just kept getting grander and more mysterious. Tomorrow, he'd probably tell me he'd built a pleasure palace on the moon. Tough to get to, but quite a view. By Leigh Bardugo Impressed Unnerved Nikolai Watching Change

She's worth it. And one day maybe she'll let me chase her into a chapel. By Leigh Bardugo Worth Chapel Day Chase

Matthias," Nina said breathlessly, and then they were kissing again. She was sweet as the first rain, lush as new meadows. His hands curled along her back, tracing her shape, the line of her spine, the emphatic flare of her hips. "Matthias ," she said more insistently, pulling away. He opened his eyes, certain he'd made some horrible mistake. Nina was biting her lower lip - it was pink and swollen. But she was smiling, and her eyes sparkled. "Did I do something wrong?" "Not at all, you glorious babink , but - " Zoya cleared her throat. "I'm glad you two found a way to spend the time while you waited. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Breathlessly Nina Kissing Eyes

Will you stay in Ravka?" asked Wylan. "Only long enough to arrange transport to Fjerda. There are Grisha who can help me preserve his body for the journey. But I can't go home, I can't rest until he does. I'll take him north. To the ice. I'll bury him near the shore." She turned to them then, as if seeing them for the first time. By Leigh Bardugo Ravka Wylan Asked Stay Fjerda

Alina, I'll be back to fetch you for dinner, but should you grow restless, do feel free to run screaming from the room or take a dagger to her. Whatever seems most fitting at the time.""Are you still here?" snapped Baghra."I go but hope to remain in your heart," he said solemnly. Then he winked and disappeared. By Leigh Bardugo Alina Dinner Restless Back Fetch

Just waiting, hoping that you'd miss me enough to tell them all to go to hell. By Leigh Bardugo Waiting Hoping Hell Miss

They are orphans again, with no true home but each other and whatever life they can make together on the other side of the sea. By Leigh Bardugo Sea Orphans True Home Life

Thanks," said Jesper, and looped his arm around the guard's neck, applying pressure until his body went limp. Jesper slipped the leather strips from around his wrists, secured the guard's hands behind his back, and stuffed the kerchief from his neck into the guard's mouth. Then he rolled the body behind the altar. "Sleep well," Jesper said. He felt bad for the guy. Not bad enough to wake him up and untie him, but still. By Leigh Bardugo Guard Jesper Neck Applying Limp

My legs gave way and the Darkling caught me up against his body with one surprisingly strong arm."I guess you only look like a mouse," he whispered in my ear, and then beckoned to one of his personal guard. "Take her," he said, handing me over to the oprichnik who reached out his arm to support me. I felt myself flush at the indignity of being handed over like a sack of potatoes, but I was too shaky and confused to protest. Blood was running down my arm from the cut the Darkling had given me. By Leigh Bardugo Darkling Arm Mouse Ear Guard

If you ever get tired of skin and bones," she called to Mal, "I've got something to tempt you." I stiffened. Mal glanced over his shoulder. Slowly, he looked her up and down. "No," he said flatly. "You don't. By Leigh Bardugo Bones Mal Tired Skin Called

No fainting in the middle of the road," said a voice close to my ear as a heavy arm landed across my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. I looked up to see Mal's familiar face, a smile in his bright blue eyes as he fell into step beside me. "C'mon," he said. "One foot in front of the other. You know how it's done." "You're interfering with my plan." "Oh really?" "Yes. Faint, get trampled, grievous injuries all around." "That sounds like a brilliant plan." "Ah, but if I'm horribly maimed, I won't be able to cross the Fold." Mal nodded slowly. "I see. I can shove you under a cart if that would help." "I'll think about it," I grumbled, but I felt my mood lifting all the same. Despite my best efforts, Mal still had that effect on me. And I wasn't the only one. A pretty blond girl strolled by and waved, throwing Mal a flirtatious glance over her shoulder. "Hey, By Leigh Bardugo Mal Road Squeeze Fainting Middle

The boy held her tighter, murmured soft words to lull her to sleep."It's only a nightmare," he whispered. "The dreams will stop."He didn't understand. The dreams were the only place it was safe to use her power now, and she longed for them. By Leigh Bardugo Tighter Murmured Sleep Nightmare Whispered

This was his soul made flesh, the truth of him laid bare in the blazing sun, shorn of mystery and shadow. This was the truth behind the handsome face and the miraculous powers, the truth that was the dead and empty space between the stars, a wasteland peopled by frightened monsters. By Leigh Bardugo Truth Flesh Sun Shorn Shadow

I missed you every hour. And you know what the worst part was? It caught me completely by surprise. I'd catch myself just walking around to find you, not for any reason, just out of habit, because I'd seen something that I wanted to tell you about or because I wanted to hear your voice. And then I'd realize that you weren't there anymore, and every time, every single time, it was like having the wind knocked out of me. I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me why we don't belong together, he said fiercely. By Leigh Bardugo Hour Missed Wanted Time Hear

Nina and Matthias?" Jesper asked. "Far be it from me to doubt anyone's professionalism, but is that really the ideal pairing?""Matthias knows prison procedure, and Nina can handle any guards without a noisy fight. Your job is to keep them from killing each other.""Because I'm the diplomat of the the group?""There is no diplomat of the group. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Nina Group Diplomat Jesper

So many men had tried to make her a queen. Now she understood that she was meant for something more. The Darkling had told her he was destined to rule. He had claimed his throne, and a part of her too. He was welcome to it. For the living and the dead, she would make herself a reckoning. She would rise. By Leigh Bardugo Queen Men Make Darkling Understood

Even in the weak morning light trickling through the bakery's window, Wylan could see how weary Colm looked. "I made some big mistakes." Wylan drew a line on the floor with his finger. "You gave him someone to run to. No matter what he did or what went wrong. I think that's bigger than the big mistakes." "See now? That's why he likes you. I know, I know - it's none of my business, and I have no idea if he'd be good for you. Probably bring you ten kinds of headache. But I think you'd be good for him." Wylan's face heated. He knew how much Colm loved Jesper, had seen it in every gesture he'd made. It meant something that he thought Wylan was good enough for his son. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Window Looked Good Mistakes

He'd broken his leg dropping down from the rooftop. The bone didn't set right, and he'd limped ever after. So he'd found himself a Fabrikator and had his cane made. It became a declaration. There was no part of him that was no broken, that had not healed wrong, and there was no part of him that was not stronger for having been broken. By Leigh Bardugo Rooftop Broken Leg Dropping Part

The key to the Shadow Fold is finally within our grasp, and right now, I should be in the war room, hearing their report. I should be planning our trip north. But I'm not, am I?" My mind had shut down, given itself over to the pleasure coursing through me and the anticipation of where his next kiss would land. "Am I?" he repeated and he nipped at my neck. I gasped and shook my head, unable to think. He had me pushed up against the door now, his hips hard against mine. "The problem with wanting," he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, "is that it makes us weak." And then, at last, when I thought I couldn't bear it any longer, he brought his mouth down on mine. His By Leigh Bardugo Shadow Fold Grasp Room Hearing

Let me get this straight," Nina said. "You haven't kissed me because the setting isn't suitably romantic?" "This isn't about romance . A proper kiss, a proper courtship. There's a way these things should be done." "For proper thieves?" The corners of her beautiful mouth curled and for a moment he was afraid she would laugh at him, but she simply shook her head and drew even nearer. Her body was the barest breath from his now. The need to close that scrap of distance was maddening. "The first day you showed up at my house for this proper courtship, I would have cornered you in the pantry," she said. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Proper Straight Courtship Romantic

Get moving. We need to find that stag so I don't have to chop your head off.""I never said you had to chop my head off," I grumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and stumbling after him."Run you through with a sword, then? Firing squad?""I was thinking something quieter, like maybe a nice poison.""All you said was that I had to kill you. You didn't say how."I stuck my tongue out at his back, but I was glad to see him so energized, and I suppose it was a good thing that he could joke about it all. At least, I hoped he was joking. By Leigh Bardugo Moving Chop Head Run Off

Anyway, I think I made a bit of progress.""How did you manage that?""Well, they liked that you served in the First Army, and that you saved their prince's life.""After he risked his own life rescuing us?""I may have taken some liberties with the details.""Oh, Nikolai will love that. Is there more?""I told them you hate herring.""Why?""And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you ruined your spring slippers in puddles."I winced. "Why would you tell them all that?'"I wanted to make you human," he said. "All they see when they look at you is the Sun Summoner. They see a threat, another powerful Grisha like the Darkling. I want them to see a daughter or a sister or a friend. I want them to see Alina."I felt a lump rise in my throat. "Do you practice being wonderful?""Daily," he said with a grin. Then he winked. "But I prefer 'useful. By Leigh Bardugo Army Nikolai Love Progress Life

I don't want lies between us, Alina.""How many lies have you told me, Sturmhond? How many secrets have you kept until you were ready to share them?""Prince's prerogative?""If a mere prince gets a pass, so does a living saint.""Are you going to make a habit of winning arguments? It's very unbecoming.""Was this an argument?""Obviously not. I don't lose arguments. By Leigh Bardugo Alina Sturmhond Lies Prince Arguments

The problem with wanting is that is makes us weak. How right he was. I'd wanted so badly to belong somewhere, anywhere. I'd been so eager to please him, so proud to keep his secrets. But I'd never bothered to question what he might really want, what his true motives might be. I'd been too busy imagining myself by his side, the savior of Ravka, most treasured, most desired, like some kind of queen. By Leigh Bardugo Weak Problem Wanting Makes Ravka

No matter the height of the mountain, the climbing is the same. By Leigh Bardugo Mountain Matter Height Climbing

Nina threw herself into a chair at the table and wriggled her feet out of her jewelled slippers, digging her toes into the plush white carpet. "Ahhh," she said contentedly. "So much better." She shoved one of the cakes from the coffee service into her mouth and mumbled, "What do you want, Kaz?" "You have crumbs on your cleavage." "Don't care," she said, taking another bite of cake. "So hungry. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Slippers Digging Carpet Ahhh

Wylan looked as if he was ready to wet himself. Helvar appeared grim as always. Jesper just grinned and whispered, Well, we've managed to get ourselves locked into the most secure prison in the world. We're either geniuses or the dumbest sons of bitches to ever breathe air. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Looked Ready Wet Helvar

I have waited hundreds of years for this moment, for your power, for this chance. I have earned it with loss and with struggle. I will have it, Alina. Whatever the cost.""There will be nothing left," I whispered. By Leigh Bardugo Moment Power Chance Waited Hundreds

He knew he was being reckless, selfish, but wasn't that why they called him Dirtyhands? No job too risky. No deed too low. Dirtyhands would see the rough work done. By Leigh Bardugo Selfish Reckless Dirtyhands Knew Called

I'm used to being the center of attention wherever I go. I've been told I could charm the shoes off a racehorse midstride, and yet you seem impervious. By Leigh Bardugo Center Attention Midstride Impervious Told

You're stupid about a lot of things, Wylan, but you are not stupid. And if I ever hear you call yourself a moron again, I'm going to tell Matthias you tried to kiss Nina. With tongue."Wylan wiped his nose on his sleeve. "He'll never believe it." "Then I'll tell Nina you tried to kiss Matthias. With tongue. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Stupid Things Matthias Nina

Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He did not hear their hidden language, did not understand the boy's resolve. He did not see the moment the girl ceased to bear her weakness as a burden and began to wear it as a guise. By Leigh Bardugo Duke Estate Teachers Priest Thought

You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list."I shook out my sore hand. My knuckles smarted. "First of all, are we so sure he really is a prince? And second, you're just jealous.""Of course I'm jealous. I thought I was going to get to punch him. That isn't the point. By Leigh Bardugo Alina Prince Punched List Hand

And yet, his eyes kept drifting to the walkway beside the canal, his impatience growing. He was better than this. Waiting was the part of the criminal life so many people got wrong. They wanted to act instead of hold fast and gather information. They wanted to know instantly without having to learn. Sometimes the trick to getting the best of a situation was just to wait. If you didn't like the weather, you didn't rush into the storm - you waited until it changed. You found a way to keep from getting wet. By Leigh Bardugo Canal Growing Eyes Drifting Walkway

Zoya placed her hands on her hips. "Is anyone going to thank me - or Genya, for that matter - for this little miracle?" "Thank you for nearly killing and then reviving the most valuable hostage in the world so you could use him for your own gain," Kaz said. "Now you need to go. The streets are almost empty, and you need to get to the manufacturing district." Zoya's beautiful blue eyes slitted. "Show your face in Ravka, Brekker. We'll teach you some manners." "I'll keep that in mind. When they burn me on the Reaper's Barge, I definitely want to be remembered as polite. By Leigh Bardugo Hips Hands Zoya Genya Kaz

I think the hard work of writing is just how long a book is terrible before it's good."--Leigh Bardugo By Leigh Bardugo Leigh Bardugo Good Hard Work

I grabbed the lapels of his coat, tears filling my eyes. "Don't tell me this is all happening for a reason ... Or that it's going to be okay. Don't tell me you're ready to die." ... He met my gave, his blue eyes steady, "It's not going to be okay." He brushed hair back from my cheeks and cupped my face in his rough hands. "None of this is happening for a reason." He skimmed his lips over mine. "And Saints help me, Alina, I want to live forever."He kissed me again, and this time, he didn't stop By Leigh Bardugo Coat Tears Grabbed Lapels Filling

My stories usually begin with the characters and some elements of how power (personal, political, magical) functions in the world. The rest develops as I write, and research helps a great deal with that. If you're going to write about an agrarian economy, research agrarian economies. If your main character is starving, then you should know what it means for a malnourished body to break down. By Leigh Bardugo Personal Political Magical Power Functions

You're very welcome, Nina Zenik. You may repay me in the customary way." "Waffles?" "Lots of them. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Zenik Waffles Lots Repay

The storm had come out of nowhere, tossing the ship like a toy on the waves. The sea had played along until it had tired of the game, and dragged their boat under in a tangle of rope and sail and screaming men. By Leigh Bardugo Tossing Waves Storm Ship Toy

You are a stolen painting, Kuwei. Too recognizable to sell on the open market, too valuable to leave lying around. You are worthless to me. By Leigh Bardugo Kuwei Painting Stolen Market Recognizable

My life would be allegiance instead of love, fealty instead of friendship. I would weigh each decision, consider every action, trust no one. It would be life observed from a distance. By Leigh Bardugo Love Fealty Friendship Allegiance Life

Nina giggled. "You are in so much trouble." Jesper scowled. "Matthias, Nina let Cornelis Smeet grope her bottom." Nina stopped laughing. "I am going to turn your teeth inside out." "That is physically impossible." "I just raised the dead. Do you really want to argue with me? By Leigh Bardugo Nina Giggled Matthias Cornelis Smeet

When evening fell the boy would bring the girl a glass of tea, a slice of lemon cake, an apple blossom floating in a blue cup. He would kiss her neck and whisper new names in her ear: beauty, beloved, cherished, my heart. By Leigh Bardugo Tea Cake Cup Evening Fell

She tilted her head back, breathing deeply. It was a stone gray day, the sea a bleak slate broken up by whitecaps, the sky pleated with thick ripples of cloud. A hard wind filled the sails, carrying the little boat over the waves. 'It feels good to be this kind of cold,' she murmured. 'This kind?''Wind in your hair, sea spray on your skin. The cold of the living. By Leigh Bardugo Back Breathing Deeply Tilted Head

I don't care if you think I'm a Saint or a fool or the Darkling's whore. If you want to remain at the Little Palace you will follow me. And if you don't like it, you will be gone by tonight, or I will have you in chains. I am a solider. I am the Sun Summoners. And I'm the only chance you have. By Leigh Bardugo Saint Darkling Whore Care Fool

Barrel boys don't have parents. We're born in the harbour and crawl out of the canals. By Leigh Bardugo Barrel Parents Boys Canals Born

No, Alina. You came here for Ravka. For the firebird. To lead the Second Army." He tapped the sun over his heart. "I came here for you. You're my flag. You're my nation. But that doesn't seem to matter anymore. By Leigh Bardugo Alina Ravka Army Firebird Heart

But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I'd broken might be repaired. By Leigh Bardugo Asked Repaired Pushed Confused Tears

It's certainly nice to have my options open." He looked back out at the city. "Can this possibly work, Mister Brekker? Or am I risking the fate of Ravka and the world's Grisha on the honor and abilities of a fast-talking urchin?" "More than a bit of both," said Kaz. "You're risking a country. We're risking our lives. Seems a fair trade." The king of Ravka offered his hand. "The deal is the deal?" "The deal is the deal." They shook. "If only treaties could be signed so quickly," he said, his easy privateer's mien sliding back in place like a mask purchased on West Stave. "I'm going to have a drink and a bath. One can take only so much mud and squalor. As the rebel said to the prince, it's bad for the constitution."He flicked an invisible speck of dust from his lapel and sauntered out of the solarium. By Leigh Bardugo Deal Open Risking Ravka Nice

Matthias," she murmured in Fjerdan, giving his arm what she hoped was a friendly, siblinglike nudge, "must you glower at everything?" "I'm not glowering." "We're Fjerdans in the Ravkan sector. We already stand out. Let's not give everyone another reason to think you're about to lay siege to the market. We need to get this task done without drawing unwanted attention. Think of yourself as a spy." His frown deepened. "Such work is beneath an honest soldier." "Then pretend to be an actor." He made a disgusted sound. "Have you ever even been to the theater?" "There are plays every season in Djerholm." "Let me guess, sober affairs that last several hours and tell epic tales of the heroes of yore." "They're actually very entertaining. But I've never seen an actor who knows how to properly hold his sword. By Leigh Bardugo Matthias Giving Friendly Siblinglike Nudge

Why won't you leave me alone?" I whispered one night as he hovered behind me while I tried to work at my desk.Long minutes passed. I didn't think he would answer. I even had time to hope he might have gone, until I felt his hand on my shoulder."Then I'd be alone, too," he said, and he stayed the whole night through, till the lamps burned down to nothing. By Leigh Bardugo Leave Night Passed Whispered Hovered

She'd been so docile that Nina had become concerned. "Maybe she's not getting enough blood to herbrain?" she'd murmured to Matthias. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Concerned Docile Matthias Herbrain

It is always the same trap," she said gently. "You longed for conversation. The bear craved jokes. The gray wolf missed music. The boar just wanted someone to tell her troubles to. The trap is loneliness, and none of us escapes it. Not even me. By Leigh Bardugo Gently Trap Conversation Longed Jokes

He leaned in. I felt his breath against my neck, then the press of his mouth against my skin just above the collar, almost a sigh."Don't," I said. I drew back, but he held me tighter. His hand went to the nape of my neck, long fingers twining in my hair, easing my head back. I closed my eyes."Let me," he murmured against my throat. His heel hooked around my leg, bringing me closer. I felt the heat of his tongue, the flex of hard muscle beneath bare skin as he guided my hands around his waist. "It isn't real," he said. "Let me."I felt that rush of hunger, the steady, longing beat of desire that neither of us wanted, but that gripped us anyway. We were alone in the world, unique. We were bound together and always would be.And it didn't matter.I couldn't forget what he'd done, and I wouldn't forgive what he was: a murderer. A monster. A man who had tortured my friends and slaughtered the people I'd tried to protect. I shoved away from him. "It's real enough. By Leigh Bardugo Felt Neck Leaned Back Skin

The land that the Unsea covers was once green and good, fertile and rich. Now it is dead and barren, crawling with abominations. The Darkling will push its boundaries north into Fjerda, south to the Shu Han. Those who do not bow to him will see their kingdoms turned to desolate wasteland and their people devoured by ravening volcra." I gaped at her in horror, shocked by the images she had conjured. The old woman had clearly lost her mind. "Baghra," I said gently, "I think you have some kind of fever." Or you've gone completely senile. "Finding the stag is a good thing. It means I can help the Darkling destroy the Fold." "No!" she cried, and it was almost a howl. "He never intended to destroy it. The Fold is his creation." I By Leigh Bardugo Unsea Fertile Rich Land Covers

I never wanted him to feel the way I had as a child," said Baghra. "So I taught him that he had no equal, that he was destined to bow to no man. I wanted him to be hard, to be strong. I taught him the lesson my mother and father taught me: to rely on no one. That love - fragile and fickle and raw - was nothing compared to power. He was a brilliant boy. He learned too well. By Leigh Bardugo Baghra Taught Child Wanted Feel

I opened my mouth, but the same words came to me again and again.I will not scream. I will not scream. I will not scream. By Leigh Bardugo Scream Mouth Opened Words Againi

You move forward, and when you falter, you get up. And when you can't, you let us carry you. You let me carry you. By Leigh Bardugo Forward Falter Move Carry

She still talks of fairness. What does fairness have to do with any of this? The people curse my name and pay for you, but you're the one who is ready to abandon them. I'm the one who will give them power over their enemies. I'm the one who will free them from the tyranny of the king. By Leigh Bardugo Fairness Talks Enemies People Curse

They do love their pretty colors," grumbled Tolya. "Don't give me any ideas," I whispered. "Maybe I'll decide my personal guard should wear bright yellow pantaloons." For the first time, I saw an expression very much like fear cross his face. By Leigh Bardugo Tolya Colors Grumbled Love Pretty

I shouldn't have lost my temper that way. It just pricks his pride, makes him dig in his heels.""So why did you?" I asked, genuinely curious. It was rare for Nikolai's emotions to get the best of him. "I don't know," he said, shredding the leaf. "You got angry. I got angry. The room was too damn hot.""I don't think that's it.""Indigestion?" he offered."It's because you actually care about what happens to this country," I said. "The throne is just a prize to Vasily, something he wants to squabble over like a favorite toy, You're not like that. You'll make a good king."Nikolai froze. "I ... " For once, words seemed to have deserted him. Then a crooked, embarrassed smile crept across his face. It was a far cry from his usual self-assured grin. "Thank you," he said.I sighed as we resumed our pace. "You're going to be insufferable now, aren't you?"Nikolai laughed. "I'm already insufferable. By Leigh Bardugo Nikolai Lost Temper Angry Insufferable

Again, the Darkling shook his head. "You two make it so easy. I prick him, you bleed.""And you can't begin to understand that, can you?"He reached out and tapped Morozova's collar, letting his fingers graze the skin of my throat. Even that faint touch opened the connection between us, and a rush of power vibrated through me like a bell being struck."I understand enough," he said softly. By Leigh Bardugo Darkling Head Shook Understand Morozova

There are rumors that your Lantsov prince has been sighted."I drifted nearer, trying to keep my voice casual. "Where?"He glanced up, his lips curling in a slight smile. "Do you like him?""Does it matter?""It's harder when you like them. You mourn them more.""Tell me, Alina," said the Darkling. "Has he claimed you yet?""Claimed me? Like a peninsula?""No blushes. No averted eyes. How you've changed. What about your faithful tracker? Will he sleep curled at the foot of your throne? By Leigh Bardugo Lantsov Sighted Nearer Casual Rumors

I've always known that whatever marriage I made would be political. It would be about power, not love. But we might get lucky. In time, we might have both.''Or the third amplifier will turn me into a power-mad dictator and you'll have to kill me.''Yes, that would make for an awkward honeymoon. By Leigh Bardugo Political Marriage Made Power Love

She could smell the storm on him, like the lightning had followed him home, like he was made of the same dense rain clouds. By Leigh Bardugo Home Clouds Smell Storm Lightning

But when someone does wrong, when we make mistakes, we don't say we're sorry. We promise to make amends.""I will.""Mati en sheva yelu. This action will have no echo. It means we won't repeat the same mistakes, that we won't continue to do harm. By Leigh Bardugo Wrong Make Mistakes Mati Amends

That's a good fellow,' Sturmhond said to Ivan. 'Now, I'll take the prisoner back to her quarters, and you can run off and do ... whatever it is you do when everyone else is working.'Ivan scowled. 'I don't think - ''Clearly. Why start now? By Leigh Bardugo Sturmhond Ivan Fellow Good Quarters

Nina said something to Kuwei in Shu. He shrugged and looked away, lip jutting out slightly. Whether it was the recent death of his father or the fact that he'd found himself stuck in a cemetery with a band of thieves, the boy had become increasingly sullen. By Leigh Bardugo Shu Kuwei Nina Lip Slightly

Few knew that she was broken. Whatever power had blessed her, divine or otherwise, was gone-or at least out of reach. Her followers were kept at a distance so they could not see that her eyes were dark hollows, that her breath came in frightened gasps. She walked slowly, tentatively, her driftwood bones fragile in her body, this sickly girl upon whom all their hopes rested. By Leigh Bardugo Broken Knew Divine Reach Power

She'd hurt him, but she'd attempted everything in her power to make things right. She'd shown him in a thousand ways that she was honorable and strong and generous and very human, maybe even more vividly human than anyone he'd ever known. By Leigh Bardugo Hurt Attempted Power Make Things

They wondered at her bruised and mysterious court: the raven-haired Squaller with her sharp tongue, the Ruined One with her black prayer shawl and hideous scars, the pale scholar who huddled away with his books and strange instruments. These were the sorry remnants of the Second Army - unfit company for a Saint. By Leigh Bardugo Squaller Ruined Court Tongue Scars

Nina had grieved for her loss of power, for the connection she'd felt to the living world. She'd resented this shadow gift. It had seemed like a sham, a punishment. But just as surely as life connected everything, so did death. It was that endless, fast-running river. She'd dipped her fingers into its current, held the eddy of its power in her hand. She was the Queen of Mourning, and in its depths, she would never drown. By Leigh Bardugo Nina World Grieved Loss Connection

They'd been told they would be meeting with only two members of the Triumvirate, but three people stood by the pool. Jesper knew the one-eyed girl in the red-and-blue kefta must be Genya Safin, and that meant the shockingly gorgeous girl with the thick fall of ebony hair was Zoya Nazyalensky. They were accompanied by a fox-faced man in his twenties wearing a teal frock coat, brown leather gloves, and an impressive set of Zemeni revolvers slung around his hips. If these people were what Ravka had to offer, maybe Jesper should consider a visit. By Leigh Bardugo Triumvirate Pool Told Meeting Members

I saw the prince when I was in Os Alta," said Ekaterina. "He's not bad looking.""Not bad looking?" said another voice. "He's damnably handsome."Luchenko scowled. "Since when - ""Brave in battle, smart as a whip." Now the voice seemed to be coming from above us. Luchenko craned his neck, peering into the trees. "An excellent dancer," said the voice. "Oh, and an even better shot.""Who - " Luchenko never got to finish. A blast rang out, and a tiny black hole appeared between his eyes.I gasped. "Imposs - ""Don't say it," muttered Mal. By Leigh Bardugo Alta Ekaterina Luchenko Voice Bad

Not bad looking? He's damnably handsome. Brave in battle, smart as a whip. An excellent dancer, oh, and an even better shot. By Leigh Bardugo Bad Handsome Brave Battle Smart

The Darkling smiled, but this time the turn of his lips was cold. He shoved off the table and stalked toward me."I will enter the Fold, Alina, and I will show West Ravka what I can do, even without the Sun Summoner. And when I have crushed Lantsov's only ally, I will hunt you like an animal. You will find no sanctuary. You will have no peace." He loomed over me, his gray eyes glinting. "Fly back home to your otkazat'sya," he snarled. "Hold him tight. The rules of this game are about to change. By Leigh Bardugo Darkling Smiled Cold Time Turn

He picked her up and spun her in the air. "You're going to strain something if you keep doing that," she said with another radiant smile. "You're light as a feather." "I do not want to see that bird. Now let's go get me a stack of waffles twice as tall as you. By Leigh Bardugo Air Picked Spun Smile Strain

See you in Djerholm harbour," Specht called. "No mourners." "No funerals," the others replied. Strange people. By Leigh Bardugo Specht Djerholm Harbour Called Mourners

No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for 'good luck. By Leigh Bardugo Mourners Funerals Good Luck Passed

Crouched beside the girl, the boy turned to her and whispered, "Why don't you eat?" "Because everything she cooks tastes like mud." "Tastes fine to me." "You'll eat anything." They bent their ears back to the crack in the cupboard doors. A moment later the boy whispered, "I don't think you're ugly." "Shhhh!" the girl hissed. But hidden by the deep shadows of the cupboard, she smiled. IN By Leigh Bardugo Tastes Crouched Turned Eat Whispered

How long have you known about Big Bolliger?""Weeks. We're going to be short-staffed. That reminds me, let Rojakke go.""Why? There's no one like him at the tables.""Lots of sobs know their way around a deck of cards. Rojakke is a little too quick. He's skimming.""He's a good dealer, and he has a family to provide for. You could give him a warning, take a finger.""Then he wouldn't be a good dealer any more, would he? By Leigh Bardugo Weeks Bolliger Big Long Rojakke

Van Eck raised a brow. How old are you, girl? Sixteen? Seventeen? Nations rise and fall. Markets are made and unmade. When power shifts, someone always suffers. By Leigh Bardugo Eck Van Brow Girl Raised

It's just another weapon. Its nature depends on who wields it. He would have to keep reminding himself. The thoughts of hatred were so old they had become instincts. This was not something he could cure overnight. Like Nina with parem, it might well be a lifelong fight. By Leigh Bardugo Weapon Nina Nature Depends Wields

A decoy," said the Darkling, coming up beside me. "We'll take the southern trails. It's what we should have done in the first place.""So you do make mistakes," I said without thinking.He paused in the act of pulling on his gloves, and I pressed my lips together nervously. "I didn't mean - ""Of course I make mistakes," he said. His mouth curved into a half smile. "Just not often. By Leigh Bardugo Darkling Decoy Coming Mistakes Make

What do you like?''Music. Numbers. Equations. They're not like words. They...they don't get mixed up.''If only you could talk to girls in equations.'There was a long silence, and then, eyes trained on the notch they'd created in the link, Wylan said, 'Just girls?'Jesper restrained a grin. 'No, not just girls. By Leigh Bardugo Music Girls Numbers Wylan Jesper

I don't like the idea of killing people, either. I don't even like chemistry.""What do you like?""Music. Numbers. Equations. They're not like words. They ... they don't get mixed up.""If only you could talk to girls in equations." There was a long silence, and then, eyes trained on the notch they'd created in the link, Wylan said, "Just girls?"Jesper restrained a grin. "No. Not just girls." It really was a shame they were all probably going to die tonight. By Leigh Bardugo People Music Idea Killing Girls

The bottom fell out of my stomach. It was like putting a foot wrong on a frozen creek, the crack of ice, and sudden drop, the knowledge that there was nothing beneath but dark water. By Leigh Bardugo Stomach Bottom Fell Creek Ice

He woke, gasping. The sun was high in the sky. Wylan stood above him, shaking him gently. "It's almost time." Matthias nodded and rose, rolling his shoulders, feeling the warm spring air of Ketterdam around him. It felt alien in his lungs. "Are you all right?" Wylan asked tentatively, but apparently Matthias' glower was answer enough. "You're great," Wylan said, and hurried down the stairs. By Leigh Bardugo Gasping Wylan Woke Sky Ketterdam

Ravka is grateful for your service," Sturmhond said as they turned to go. "And so is the crown." He waved once. In the late afternoon light, with the sun behind him, he looked less like a privateer and more like... but that was just silly. By Leigh Bardugo Sturmhond Ravka Service Grateful Turned

They were still gawking at me. I reminded myself that these men could make my heart explode in my chest, but eventually I just couldn't stand it."I don't do tricks, you know," I snapped.The Grisha exchanged a glance."That was a pretty good trick back in the tent," Ivan said.I rolled my eyes. "Well, if I plan on doing anything exciting, I promise to give fair warning so just ... take a nap or something."Ivan looked affronted. I felt a little snap of fear, but the fair-haired Corporalnik let out a bark of laughter."I am Fedyor," he said. "And this is Ivan. By Leigh Bardugo Ivan Gawking Grisha Fedyor Tricks

I didn't know what to say to Mal. I never did these days. But maybe I could just start with the truth: that I was lost and confused, and maybe losing my mind, that I scared myself sometimes, and that I missed him so much it was like physical pain. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Days Truth Confused Mind

No, Tolya, your gifts lie elewhere," Sturmhond said soothingly. "Mostly in the celebrated fields of killing and maiming. By Leigh Bardugo Tolya Sturmhond Elewhere Soothingly Gifts

I seem to be immune," I replied. "And luckily, I know what a real kiss should feel like."I left him standing in the middle of the square. I could get used to making Mal blush. By Leigh Bardugo Immune Replied Mal Luckily Like

He leaned against the window, and the gilded frame came into sharp focus. "Do you think it would be any different with your tracker beside you? With that Lantsov pup?""Yes," I said simply."Because you would be the strong one?""Because they're better men than you.""You might make me a better man.""And you might make me a monster. By Leigh Bardugo Window Focus Leaned Gilded Frame

What is she to you anyway?""Here's my answer captain. She's the thing that made this all okay-the threadbare coats and the old boots and the guns that jams when you most need them to fire, the loneliness of knowing that you don't matter, that you will never matter, the fact that you're just another body, another uniform to be sent into the fold or the frost, another good boy who knows his place, who does his job, who doesn't ask questions, who will lie down and die and be forgotten. What is she? She's everything, you dumb son of a bitch. By Leigh Bardugo Captain Matter Answer Fire Body

Good luck, Oretsev. Find the firebird, and when this is over, I'll see you well rewarded. A farmhouse in Udova. A dacha near the city. Whatever you want.""I don't need any of that. Just ... " He dropped Nikolai's hand and looked away. "Deserve her. By Leigh Bardugo Oretsev Good Luck Udova Find

Then, despite all my better judgement, I asked the question I'd wanted to ask for nearly a year. "You and Mal, back in Kribirsk-""It happened."I knew that and I knew there had been plenty of others before her, but it still stung. Zoya glanced at me, her long black lashes sparkling with rain. "But never since," she said grudgingly, "and it hasn't been for lack of trying. If a man can say no to me, that's something."I rolled my eyes. Zoya poked me in the arm with one long finger. "He hasn't been with anyone, you idiot. Do you know what the girls back at the White Cathedral called him? Beznako"A lost cause. By Leigh Bardugo Judgement Year Knew Asked Question

But the girl had spent long years being invisible. She'd already had a ghost's life, hidden from the world and from herself. Better than anyone, she knew the power of things long buried. By Leigh Bardugo Invisible Girl Spent Years Long

A moment later the boy whispered, "I don't think you're ugly.""Shhhh!" the girl hissed. But hidden by the deep shadows of the cupboard, she smiled By Leigh Bardugo Shhhh Whispered Ugly Hissed Moment

How do you get your information, Mister Brekker?""You might say I'm a lockpick.""You must be a very gifted one.""I am indeed." Kaz leaned back slightly. "You see, every man is a safe, a vault of secrets and longings. Now, there are those who take the brute's way, but I prefer a gentler approach - the right pressure applied at the right moment, in the right place. It's a delicate thing.""Do you always speak in metaphors, Mister Brekker?"Kaz smiled. "It's not a metaphor."He was out of his chair before his chains hit the ground. By Leigh Bardugo Mister Brekker Information Lockpick One

I think the first trick to writing a feminist work is to write plenty of women. That way you get to write characters, instead of worrying about paradigms. By Leigh Bardugo Women Write Trick Writing Feminist

They were eye to eye now. He took a step closer and then just stood there, unable to move. He could not do this. The distance between them felt like nothing. It felt like miles. By Leigh Bardugo Eye Felt Unable Move Step

old women must know something, or they wouldn't live to gather wrinkles and yell from their front stoops. By Leigh Bardugo Stoops Women Live Gather Wrinkles

I told them you hate herring.""Why?""And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you ruined your spring slippers jumping in puddles."I winced. "Why would you tell them all that?""I wanted to make you human," he said. "All they see when they look at you is the Sun Summoner. They see a threat, another powerful Grisha like the Darkling. I want them to see a daughter or a sister or a friend. I want them to see Alina. By Leigh Bardugo Herring Cake Told Hate Love

I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again just to be with you, just to starve with you and freeze with you and hear you complain about hard cheese every day. So don't tell me we don't belong together. By Leigh Bardugo Risked Life Ravka Day Walked

Maybe that brought us together, but it didn't make us who we are. It didn't make you the girl who could get me to laugh when I had nothing. It sure as hell didn't make me the idiot who took that for granted. Whatever there is between us, we forged it. It belongs to us. By Leigh Bardugo Make Brought Girl Laugh Granted

You've seen what this drug can do. I assure you it is just the beginning. If jurda parem is unleashed on the world, war is inevitable. Our trade lines will be destroyed, and our markets will collapse. Kerch will not survive it. Our hopes rest with you, Mister Brekker. If you fail, all the world will suffer for it." "Oh, it's worse than that, Van Eck. If I fail, I don't get paid. By Leigh Bardugo Drug Fail World Mister Brekker

I'm sorry," he said at last."Don't apologize. For all we know, there is no firebird.""You don't believe that.""No, but maybe we weren't meant to find it.""You don't believe that either." He sighed. "So much for the good soldier."I winced. "I shouldn't have said that.""You once put goose droppings in my shoes, Alina. A bad mood I can handle. By Leigh Bardugo Last Apologize That Alina Firebird

Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart. By Leigh Bardugo Favorite Bring Boy Flowers Flower

I had crossed the yard to him slowly, watching him draw closer, baffled by the way my heart was skittering around my chest. Then he'd picked me up and spun me in a circle, and I'd clung to him, breathing in his sweet, familiar smell, shocked by how much I'd missed him. Dimly, I'd been aware that I still had a shard of the blue cup in my hand, that it was digging into my palm, but I didn't want to let go.When he finally set me down and ambled off to the kitchen to find his lunch, I stood there, my palm dripping blood, my head still spinning, knowing that everything had changed.Ana Kuya had scoled me for getting blood on the clean kitchen floor. She'd bandaged my hand and told me it would heal. But I knew it would just go on hurting.In the creaking silence of the cell, Mal kissed the scar on my palm, the wound made so long ago by the edge of that broken cup, a fragile thing I'd thought beyond repair. By Leigh Bardugo Palm Slowly Watching Closer Baffled

The letters from his father continued to arrive, once, sometimes twice a week. Wylan didn't know what to make of them. Were they threats? Taunts? He stashed them in a stack beneath his mattress, and sometimes at night he thought he could feel the ink bleeding through the pages, up through the mattress and into his heart like dark poison. By Leigh Bardugo Arrive Week Letters Father Continued

The stars looked like they were close together, when really they were millions of miles apart. By Leigh Bardugo Stars Looked Close Millions Miles

Rollins held up his watch chain. A turnip was hanging from the fob where his diamond-studded time piece should have been. "That little bastard" Then a thought came to him. He reached for his wallet. It was gone. So was his tie pin, the Kaelish coin pendant he wore for luck, and the gold buckles on his shoes. Rollins wondered if he should check the fillings in his teeth."He picked your pockets?" Doughty asked incredulously.No one got one over on Pekka Rollins. No one dared. But Brekker had, and Rollins wondered if that was just the beginning. By Leigh Bardugo Rollins Chain Held Watch Wondered

Thanks for the rescue.""Everyone needs a hobby.""I thought yours was preening.""Two hobbies. By Leigh Bardugo Rescue Hobby Preening Hobbies Thought

Go home to Ravka, Nina. Be free, as you were meant to be. Be a warrior, as you always have been. Just save some mercy for my people. There has to be a Fjerda worth saving. Promise me By Leigh Bardugo Nina Ravka Home Free Fjerda

Stay," she panted. Tears leaked from her eyes. "Stay till the end." "And after," he said. "And always." "I want to feel safe again. I want to go home to Ravka." "Then I'll take you there. We'll set fire to raisins or whatever you heathens do for fun." "Zealot," she said weakly. "Witch." "Barbarian." "Nina," he whispered, "little red bird. Don't go. By Leigh Bardugo Stay Panted Zealot Witch Barbarian

All right. And ... can someone see about having the roof fixed?"Matching grins broke out on Tolya's and Tamar's faces. "Can't we leave it that way for just a few days?""No," I laughed. "I don't want the whole thing craving in on us. Talk to the Fabrikators. They should know what to do." I ran my thumb over the raised ridge of flesh that ran the length of my palm. "But don't let them make it too perfect," I added. Scars made good reminders. By Leigh Bardugo Matching Tolya Tamar Ran Fabrikators

It was a stupid risk. I should know better." He picked up a twig from the forest floor and threw it away angrily. "I still have the roll," I offered lamely, pulling the squashed, lint-covered lump from my pocket. It had been baked into the shape of a bird to celebrate the spring flocks, but now it looked more like a rolled-up sock. Mal dropped his head, covering it with his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. His shoulders began to shake, and for a horrible moment, I thought he might be crying, but then I realized he was laughing silently. His whole body rocked, his breath coming in hitches, tears starting to leak from his eyes. "That better be one hell of a roll," he gasped. I By Leigh Bardugo Risk Stupid Roll Angrily Lamely

None of them were easy or soft or simple. They were like me, nursing hurts and hidden wounds, all broken in different ways. We didn't quite fit together. We had edges so jagged we cut each other sometimes, but as I curled up on my side, the warmth of the fire at my back, I felt a rush of gratitude so sweet it made my throat ache. Fear came with it. Keeping them close was a luxury I would pay for. Now I had more to lose. By Leigh Bardugo Simple Easy Soft Nursing Wounds

Capture Nikolai. Put him in a cage. See if we could pull him from the shadow's grasp. The too-clever fox, finally caught. I blinked and looked away. I didn't want to cry again. By Leigh Bardugo Nikolai Capture Put Cage Grasp

Just trust me, Nina." "I wouldn't trust you to tie my shoes without stealing the laces, Kaz. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Kaz Trust Laces Tie

Being around Nikolai was always like this, watching him shift and change, revealing secrets as he went. He reminded me of the wooden nesting dolls I'd played with as a child. Except instead of getting smaller, he just kept getting grander and more mysterious. By Leigh Bardugo Nikolai Watching Change Revealing Shift

Mal had made me promise not to cry. He'd said it would only make it harder on him. So I swallowed my tears. I kissed him one last time and let Ivan lead me away. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Cry Made Promise Ivan

I'm not like you, Mal. I never really fit in the way you did. I never really belonged anywhere.""You belonged with me. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Belonged Anywhere Fit

I have loved you all my life, Mal," I whispered through my tears. "There is no end to our story. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Life Tears Loved Whispered

Dear Mal, I haven't heard from you, so I assume you've met and married a volcra and that you're living comfortably on the Shadow Fold, where you have neither light nor paper to write. Or, possibly, your new bride ate both your hands. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Fold Shadow Dear Write

It's always just you and me. By Leigh Bardugo

You heard Prince Perfect," Mal said, and joined us at the table. Nikolai grinned. "I've had a lot of nicknames, but that one is easily the most accurate. By Leigh Bardugo Perfect Mal Prince Table Heard

C'mon," he said. "One foot in front of the other. You know how it's done""You're interfering with my plan.""Oh really?""Yes. Faint, get trampled, grievous injuries all around.""That sounds like a brilliant plan.""Ah, but if I'm horribly maimed, I won't be able to cross the Fold."Mal nodded slowly. "I see. I can shove you under a cart if that would help. By Leigh Bardugo Plan Fold Mal Faint Foot

Just to be clear, I'm not really interested in defending your honor. By Leigh Bardugo Clear Honor Interested Defending

Watch yourself, Nikolai," Mal said softly. "Princes bleed just like other men."Nikolai plucked an invisible piece of dust from his sleeve. "Yes," he said. "They just do it in better clothes. By Leigh Bardugo Mal Nikolai Watch Softly Princes

The Darkling will hunt you for the rest of your days.""Then you and I will have something in common, won't we? Besides, I like to have powerful enemies. Makes me feel important."Mal crossed his arms and considered the privateer. "I can't decide if you're crazy or stupid.""I have so many good qualities," Sturmhond said. "It can be hard to choose. By Leigh Bardugo Darkling Days Common Hunt Rest

Do I get to wear a fancy hat?""The fanciest," I said. "And possibly a cape.""Will there be plumes?""Oh, yes. Several.""Then I'm in. By Leigh Bardugo Hat Fanciest Wear Fancy Several

She was welcoming and perfect in his arms. He kissed her, buried his face in the sweet hollow of her neck. Her curls brushed his cheeks, and he felt that if he could just hold her a little longer, every wound, every hurt, every bad thing would melt away. By Leigh Bardugo Arms Welcoming Perfect Buried Neck

I don't think-""Clearly. Why start now? By Leigh Bardugo Start

No one got the better of Kaz. He was the toughest, scariest thing walking the alleys of the Barrel. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Barrel Toughest Scariest Thing

Wylan didn't think he imagined the tension in the rasp of Kaz's voice. Kaz never yelled the way Wylan's father did, but Wylan had learned to listen for that low note, that bit of black harmony that crept into Kaz's tone when things were about to get dangerous. By Leigh Bardugo Wylan Kaz Voice Imagined Tension

Then tailor him," Kaz said coldly. The challenge in Kaz's eyes was clear. So he knew she'd been struggling. Of course he did. Dirtyhands never missed a trick. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Coldly Tailor Clear Struggling

Before you finish that sentence, I want you to think about what a promise from me costs and what you're willing to pay for it. By Leigh Bardugo Sentence Finish Promise Costs Pay

Kaz had always kept himself at a remove from everyone. They'd wanted camaraderie, friendship, but he had never agreed to play their game, only his own. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Friendship Remove Camaraderie Game

Feeling anything for Kaz Brekker was the worst follishness. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Brekker Feeling Follishness Worst

Has she at least done it before?" said Kaz. "For this purpose?" asked Sturmhond. "I've seen her do it twice. It worked splendidly. Once". By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Sturmhond Purpose Asked Splendidly

Sometimes, the only way to get justice is to take it for yourself. By Leigh Bardugo Justice

I trade in information, Geels, the things men do when they think no one is looking. Shame holds more value than coin ever can. By Leigh Bardugo Geels Information Trade Things Men

He knew exactly what he intended to leave behind when he was gone.Damage. By Leigh Bardugo Gonedamage Knew Intended Leave

He nodded to her right forearm, not trusting himself to speak. His gloves lay on the other side of the basin, black against the gold-veined marble. They looked like dead animals. He focused on the shears, cold metal in his hands, nothing like skin. He could not do this if his hands were shaking. I can best this, he told himself. By Leigh Bardugo Forearm Speak Nodded Trusting Hands

You can only sharpen a blade so far", Kaz said as he joined them at the front of the church. "In the end, it comes down to the quality of the metal. By Leigh Bardugo Kaz Church Sharpen Blade Joined

I hope he didn't cross Kaz Brekker," Nina said with a shudder."Wylan wouldn't--""Of course not," said Nina as she shook out the cuffs of her kefta and prepared to exit the dining room." Only a fool would. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Brekker Wylan Kaz Shudder

Compromise," Kaz said. " 'I'm sorry' does the trick and uses fewer bullets. By Leigh Bardugo Compromise Kaz Bullets Trick Fewer

A gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse. By Leigh Bardugo Grisha Suli Barrel Gambler Convict

I winced. "I shouldn't have said that." "You once put goose droppings in my shoes, Alina. A bad mood I can handle." He glanced at me and said, "We all know the burden you're carrying. You don't have to bear it alone." I By Leigh Bardugo Winced Alina Shoes Handle Carrying

I poisoned my skin," Genya said harshly, "my lips. So that every time he touched me-" She shuddered slightly and glanced at David. "Every time he kissed me, he took sickness into his body." She clenched her fists. "He brought this on himself.""But the poison would have affected you too," Nikolai said. "I had to purge it from my skin, then heal the burns the lye would leave. Every single time." Her fists clenched. "It was well worth it."Nikolai rubbed a hand over his mouth. "Did he force you?"Genya nodded once. A muscle in Nikolai's jaw ticked. By Leigh Bardugo Time Nikolai Genya Harshly Lips

He looked. It was a struggle not to look. He loved seeing her in Fjerdan clothes, the little woolly vest, the full sweep of her skirts. Her green eyes were bright, her cheeks pink, her lips slightly parted. It was too easy to imagine himself kneeling like a penitent before her, letting his hands slide up the white curves of her calves, pushing those skirts higher, past her knees to the warm skin of her thighs. And the worst part was that he knew how good she would feel. Every cell in his body remembered the press of her naked body that first night in the whaling camp. By Leigh Bardugo Looked Skirts Body Fjerdan Struggle

Good luck, I said automatically and then wanted to kick myself. Good luck? Have a lovely time, Mal. Hope you find a pretty Grisha, fall deeply in love, and make lots of gorgeous disgustingly talented babies together.I sat frozen on the steps, watching them disappear down the path, still feeling the warm pressure of Mal's hand in mine. Oh well, I thought as I got to my feet. Maybe he'll fall into a ditch on his way there. By Leigh Bardugo Good Luck Mal Automatically Wanted

Good luck hitting a skinny little schooner cutting through the waves bound for fortune and glory.""I'll quote you on that when a cannonball lands in my lap," said Nina. By Leigh Bardugo Nina Good Glory Lap Luck

Fight me as long as you're able.You will find I have far more practice with eternity By Leigh Bardugo Fight Eternity Long Ableyou Find

They crushed the ship between them with a resonant boom, sending debris flying. Jesper screamed in rage and raised his guns. By Leigh Bardugo Boom Sending Flying Crushed Ship

If you two keep fighting, you're going to get us all killed, and I have a lot more card games I need to lose. By Leigh Bardugo Fighting Killed Lose Lot Card

Van Eck's going to pull something," Kaz had said back on Black Veil, "and it's going to be messy, because he has less than twelve hours to plan it." "Good," said Jesper. "Bad," said Kaz. "The more complicated a plan is, the more people he has to involve, the more people talk, the more ways it can go wrong. By Leigh Bardugo Veil