One cannot toss ambassadors back like bad fish," said Eugenides. "You treat them with care, or you'll find you've committed an act… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Oh, that," said the king with a shrug. "That isn't your honor, Costis. That's the public perception of your honor. It has… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
I knew I would be in the story somewhere," Eugenides interjected. "Oh no," said Phresine, "This was a humble servant." "Ouch." "Though… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
He should have said something, why hadn't he? Costis wondered. In fact, the king had. He had complained at every step all… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Relius looked away. "He said that you...cried," he said softly. "But not that he cried as well," said the queen, amused at… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Who was the Thief that she would love him? A youth, just a boy with hardly a beard and no sense at… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Irene-" "Don't call me that." "You were the princess Irene the first time we met." "It means 'peace'," Attolia said. "What name… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
...I asked Ochto what in the name of all that was sacred he thought he was doing. "Helping you," said Dirnes. "Why?"… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Thanks to His Majesty," the magus said, and my father seemed startled at the correction but not displeased. He looked thoroughly satisfied… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Are you badly hurt?" "Hideously," said the king, without sounding injured at all. "I am disemboweled. My insides may in an instant… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Sounis had been thinking of Ambiades. "He would have been a better man under different circumstances." Gen looked at him. "True enough,"… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Were you lying?" "I never lie," he said piously. "About what?" "The sand, the snake." For a young man who never lied,… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
If you are feeling more yourself, there is a problem best addressed immediately," said the queen. "In my nightshirt?" The king wriggled,… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
That prison," I said with heartfelt sincerity, "Was absolutely the most awful thing that has happened to me in my entire life."… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
She's like a prisoner inside stone walls, and every day the walls get a little thicker, the doorways a little narrower." "And?"… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
On the bed, Eugenides stirred restlessly. "Upset at the sight of blood?" he said. "Not my wife, Ornon." "Your blood," the ambassador… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Ah," said the magus, understanding at once. "I see that he means to be prepared if he meets him again." "Surely that's… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Tell me a story then...keep me occupied." "A story?...What makes you think I can tell a story?" "Insight," said the king, "Go… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
You have to believe him, because he's going to have your entire palace up in arms and your court in chaos and… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
You're awake," he said. "Phresine is not," pointed out the queen. "Oh?" "You gave her lethium." "She gave it to me first. — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
This is the stupidest plan I have ever in my career participated in," Xenophon said. "I love stupid plans," said Eugenides. — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
I was not so comfortable with my new authority that I could say 'We eat the chicken now!' but the magus had… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Because you do not believe?" "Oh, no," said Attolia bitterly. "Because I believe and do not choose to worship. — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Why did you come if not to murder my king?" "I came to steal his magus." "You can't," said the magus in… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
You didn't know I could do that, did you?" he asked, conversationally. "I did not, Your Majesty," Teleus gasped. "My grandfather killed… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Being six feet off the ground does give one a sense of superiority. — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
Your Majesty, you just-" Costis stopped. "Just what?" the king prompted wickedly. Nothing would induce Costis to say out loud that the king had… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
I woke with a terrible headache and wobbled around 'till I fell out the window." "You what?" "Fell out the window. That one over… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
“He looked at her and tilted his head very slightly in wonder. He had forgotten, as he always forgot, how beautiful she was. Her… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
“Useless the Elder was looking at me in amusement. “Not exactly stalwart, are you?” he said.” — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
“The magus said thoughtfully, "That lying little monster complained about everything: the food, the horses, the blankets, the company. He even found fault with… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
The king lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her. It was not a kiss between strangers, not even a kiss between a… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
What he brought out was a wooden gag they put in someone's mouth before doing something drastic, like cutting off a leg. — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
One cannot toss ambassadors back like bad fish," said Eugenides. "You treat them with care, or you'll find you've committed an act of war. — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
“It might have been preferable," Eddis admitted, dryly, "if you had thrown off your chains of bondage solely for love of me. It would… — Megan Whalen Turner Copy Share Image
