“I sat on one of the sofas, pretending I wasn’t disconcerted by the music, which paused long enough for a new, more sorrowful tune to play out. I twiddled my thumbs. I stared at the fish and named it “Sparky.” — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“The Oren-yaro do not lack for courage, it is true. We know how to face battles when the odds are stacked against us. We know how to give our lives for our lords and believe we know sacrifice like no other. But I did not face that dragon as an Oren-yaro. Our tenets may run deep, but they do not… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share
“One moment you are certain of yourself, the next you are standing where you once swore you never would. And then you must pick… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“I never questioned anything Yeshin did in those days. “Get your dogs and come take a walk with me,” had been enough to send me running from my room and down to the kennels, where I nearly tripped over the door in my haste. For all that his anger could frighten the wits out of me, time spent with my… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share
“I am the Esteemed Emperor’s Yunan’s trueborn son, with the blood of a long line of emperors running through me. You, on the other… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“One time, over half of my warlords refused to attend a summit because I had failed to properly address them by the decorative titles… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“But even someone born and raised to be a queen can be short-sighted, maybe especially so, considering what I thought my life would be… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“Yesterday, you were laughing with them like every other simpering royal I’ve met. But I suppose I’m as wrong about you as I was… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“I sat on one of the sofas, pretending I wasn’t disconcerted by the music, which paused long enough for a new, more sorrowful tune… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“I think I understand you,” I said. I also thought I wanted to hit him in the face, but not everybody appreciated knowing that.” — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“I found it hard to believe that Rai used his charm to pull off such a feat—the man was about as charismatic as the… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“Your marriage to Lord Rayyel was a symbol of peace, one that is now tainted beyond compare. What you do in your own bed… — K.S. Villoso Copy Share Image
“But there is also what people think you are and how the world bends itself around it. You turn your head and people follow… — k.s. villoso Copy Share Image
