“Once Conner was dragged out of the room, I directed the musicians to play. Then, exhausted, I fell into my father's throne. No, my throne. I was king now. The reality of that was incomprehensible.” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“Kneel, please," Connor said. "I wish to study you better." Come as close to me as you'd like," I answered. "Study me here, on… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“I need a sword first," I said. "People here keep taking mine.” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“No offense, Jaron, but I don't want your life. Even locked away behind closed doors I got a taste for how awful it can… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“I thought you were from a civilized country," he said. "How have you come to look more like Carthya's whipping boy than its king?" "I have a habit of irritating some of our less civilized people," I answered. "But you seem like a civilized...pirate. I'd much prefer it if you didn't have me whipped." "And why shouldn't I?" With some… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share
“Above all else, I think that you are a compulsive liar." My laughter was tense, but sincere. "Hardly. In fact, I consider myself a… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“This is for you." i pressed the stone in Kerwyn's hand. Kerwyn turned it over in his hands, unimpressed. "imatator's gold? It's worthless." "No, it's real gold. I am real Kerwyn." ... He pulled a creased and worn paper from his pocket and unfolded it. His hands shook increasingly as he read it. Then he turned to the audience and… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share
“As part of the grand joke that had become my life, the gods had given me a master with the wit of a withered carrot and compassion of a wasp. He also smelled like toe fungus, though that’s less relevant. More significant is that of the hundreds of slaves who worked in the mines, Sal hated me the most. This… — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share
“How is it that you can see your enemies so clearly and never your friends?” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
“It would take entire lifetimes for the men of Carthya to deserve their women.” — Jennifer A. Nielsen Copy Share Image
