--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Please,' she says, her head bent…" description: "\"“Please,' she says, her head bent. 'Please. You must try to break the curse. I know that you are the queen by right and that you may not want him back,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg" --- # Please,' she says, her head bent. 'Please. You must try to… ![“Please,' she says, her head bent. 'Please. You must try to break the curse. I know that you are the queen by right and that you may not want him back, but-' If anything could have increased my astonishment, it was that. 'You think that I'd-' 'I didn't know you, before,' she says, the anguish clear…” quote by Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg) > ““Please,' she says, her head bent. 'Please. You must try to break the curse. I know that you are the queen by right and that you may not want him back, but-' If anything could have increased my astonishment, it was that. 'You think that I'd-' 'I didn't know you, before,' she says, the anguish clear in her voice. There is a hitch in her breath that comes with weeping. 'I thought you were just some mortal.' I have to bite my tongue at that, but I don't interrupt her. 'When you became his seneschal, I told myself that he wanted you for your lying tongue. Or because you'd become biddable, although you never were before. I should have believed you when you told him he didn't know the least of what you could do. 'While you were in exile, I got more of the story out of him. I know you don't believe this, but Cardan and I were friends before we were lovers, before Locke. He was my first friend when I came here from the Undersea. And we were friends, even after everything. I hate that he loves you.' 'He hated it, too,' I say with a laugh that sounds more brittle than I'd like. Nicasia fixes me with a long look. 'No, he didn't.' To that, I can only be silent. 'He frightens the Folk, but he's not what you think he is,' Nicasia says. 'Do you remember the servants that Balekin had? The human servants?' I nod mutely. Of course I remember. I will never forget Sophie and her pockets full of stones. 'They'd go missing sometimes, and there were rumours that Cardan hurt them, but it wasn't true. He'd return them to the mortal world.' I admit, I'm surprised. 'Why?' She throws up a hand. 'I don't know! Perhaps to annoy his brother. But you're human, so I thought you'd like that he did it. And he sent you a gown. For the coronation.' I remember it- the ball gown in the colours of the night, with the stark outlines of trees stitched on it and the crystals for stars. A thousand times more beautiful than the dress I commissioned. I had thought perhaps it came from Prince Dain, since it was his coronation and I'd sworn to be his creature when I'd joined the Court of Shadows. 'He never told you, did he?' Nicasia says. 'So see? Those are two nice things about him you didn't know. And I saw the way you used to look at him when you didn't think anyone was watching you.' I bite the inside of my cheek, embarrassed despite the fact that we were lovers, and wed, and it should hardly be a secret that we like each other. 'So promise me,' she says. 'Promise me you'll help him.' I think of the golden bridle, about the future the stars predicted. 'I don't know how to break the curse,' I say, all the tears I haven't shed welling up in my eyes. 'If I could, do you think i would be at this stupid banquet? Tell me what I must slay, what I must steal, tell me the riddle I must solve or the hag I must trick. Only tell me the way, and I will do it, no matter the danger, no matter the hardship, no matter the cost.' My voice breaks. She gives me a steady look. Whatever else I might think of her, she really does care for Cardan. And as tears roll down my cheeks, to her astonishment, I think she realises I do, too. Much good it does him.”” [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character confronts betrayal and hidden motives, revealing complex loyalties and past wounds. **In simple terms:** Trust is fragile and histories shape present actions Key Takeaway Question motives before trusting Themes betrayal loyalty identity power dynamics Mood melancholic intense Type literary dialogue When to use this quote - friendship - romantic tension - political intrigue - personal growth Key Concepts mythic fantasy character study Questions to Reflect On - What does loyalty mean when past hurts linger? - How do secrets shape relationships? A Different Perspective Characters may hide true intentions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cardan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan/) [Cardan-greenbriar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan-greenbriar/) [Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) [Holly-black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holly-black/) [Jude-duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jude-duarte/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [The-folk-of-the-air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-folk-of-the-air/) [The-queen-of-nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-queen-of-nothing/) ## Related quotes > [“Idly, I wonder what sort of execution Cardan might order. Maybe he'd strap me to some rocks and let the sea do the work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/idly-i-wonder-what-sort-of-execution-cardan-might-order-maybe-he-d/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“...nothing I could do to you will be as terrible as what you'll do to yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/nothing-i-could-do-to-you-will-be-as-terrible-as-what-you-ll-do-to/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“The Grand General would mount your head on a wall,” Nicasia informed him, patting his cheek. “A very fine head,” he informed her with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/the-grand-general-would-mount-your-head-on-a-wall-nicasia-informed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Favorite Quotations. I speak my mind because it hurts to bite my tongue. The worth of a book is measured by what you carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-frayne/favorite-quotations-i-speak-my-mind-because-it-hurts-to-bite-my/) Pat Frayne > [You keep me on the edge of my seat, I bite my tongue so you don't hear me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-keep-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-i-bite-my-tongue-so-you-don-t-hear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not one to bite my tongue. If something needs to be said I will more than likely be the one saying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-one-to-bite-my-tongue-if-something-needs-to-be-said-i-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm blunt, honest and I don't bite my tongue when it comes to my feelings. I want you to know exactly how I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-blunt-honest-and-i-don-t-bite-my-tongue-when-it-comes-to-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Girls, please, please, allow my voice to calm you down. Boys understand, girls will never listen or learn. I was old enough to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/broken-soul/girls-please-please-allow-my-voice-to-calm-you-down-boys-understand/) [Broken Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/broken-soul/) > [I kind of have to bite my tongue sometimes with my lyrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/i-kind-of-have-to-bite-my-tongue-sometimes-with-my-lyrics/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [“Eleanor reached over and stroked his foreman. "Was I fair?" Henry whispered. She nodded. "Very. Besides, I think our Ranulf gave you the justification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-sinclair/eleanor-reached-over-and-stroked-his-foreman-was-i-fair-henry/) [Michele Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-sinclair/) > [“Of course I contradict myself. Why else would I often bite my tongue and attempt to put the fire out?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-tindugan-adoviso/of-course-i-contradict-myself-why-else-would-i-often-bite-my-tongue/) Jen Tindugan-Adoviso > [I'm probably the most rudest person you 'll meet , but one thing for sure is that I speak my mind always & never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-probably-the-most-rudest-person-you-ll-meet-but-one-thing-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I cant recall the last time someone asked me how I was Last I check I was a freaking wreck I called for help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/you-me-and-six/i-cant-recall-the-last-time-someone-asked-me-how-i-was-last-i-check-i/) You Me And Six > [For so long, I've had to bite my tongue but what's the point if the feeling's gone?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-so-long-i-ve-had-to-bite-my-tongue-but-what-s-the-point-if-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've been known not to bite my tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-gibbs/i-ve-been-known-not-to-bite-my-tongue/) [Freddie Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-gibbs/) ## More by Holly Black > [“What they don’t realize is this: Yes, they frighten me, but I have always been scared, since the day I got here. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-they-don-t-realize-is-this-yes-they-frighten-me-but-i-have/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [When you don't know what you're searching for, you have to look absolutely everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-you-don-t-know-what-you-re-searching-for-you-have-to-look/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [That’s family for you. Can’t live with them, can’t murder them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-s-family-for-you-can-t-live-with-them-can-t-murder-them/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Let her alone,' said the enkanto, 'or I will curse you blind, lame, and worse.' The old man laughed. 'I'm a curse breaker, fool.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-her-alone-said-the-enkanto-or-i-will-curse-you-blind-lame-and/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“lt's an honor and a delight to meet you and a tragedy you're here”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/lt-s-an-honor-and-a-delight-to-meet-you-and-a-tragedy-you-re-here/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No fire at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-fire-at-all/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“His wax-white skin was cool to the touch when she brushed his neck to find the knot of cloth. She'd never been this close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/his-wax-white-skin-was-cool-to-the-touch-when-she-brushed-his-neck-to/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [So what are you really wearing?" The words left her mouth before she could consider them. She winced. He didn't seem to mind; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-what-are-you-really-wearing-the-words-left-her-mouth-before-she/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I grab a chair. "I don't mean to pry," I say, "but we're in a hospital. You sure you're fine?" She sighs heavily. "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-grab-a-chair-i-don-t-mean-to-pry-i-say-but-we-re-in-a-hospital-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Kaye: You know what the sun looks like? Janet: No, What? Kaye: Like he slit his wrists in a bathtub and the blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kaye-you-know-what-the-sun-looks-like-janet-no-what-kaye-like-he-slit/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“That was how she felt, right then. As if there was too much of her, as if her skin was tight with muchness. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-was-how-she-felt-right-then-as-if-there-was-too-much-of-her-as/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It was a vow, a piece of a chant, their scripture, something they took so seriously that saying it aloud embarrassed them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-was-a-vow-a-piece-of-a-chant-their-scripture-something-they-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Some broken things stay broken”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/some-broken-things-stay-broken/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Explore all 666 Holly Black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More Bite my tongue quotes > [I've been known not to bite my tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-gibbs/i-ve-been-known-not-to-bite-my-tongue/) [Freddie Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-gibbs/) > [For so long, I've had to bite my tongue but what's the point if the feeling's gone?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-so-long-i-ve-had-to-bite-my-tongue-but-what-s-the-point-if-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I cant recall the last time someone asked me how I was Last I check I was a freaking wreck I called for help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/you-me-and-six/i-cant-recall-the-last-time-someone-asked-me-how-i-was-last-i-check-i/) You Me And Six > [I'm probably the most rudest person you 'll meet , but one thing for sure is that I speak my mind always & never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-probably-the-most-rudest-person-you-ll-meet-but-one-thing-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Of course I contradict myself. Why else would I often bite my tongue and attempt to put the fire out?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-tindugan-adoviso/of-course-i-contradict-myself-why-else-would-i-often-bite-my-tongue/) Jen Tindugan-Adoviso > [“Eleanor reached over and stroked his foreman. "Was I fair?" Henry whispered. She nodded. "Very. Besides, I think our Ranulf gave you the justification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-sinclair/eleanor-reached-over-and-stroked-his-foreman-was-i-fair-henry/) [Michele Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-sinclair/) > [I kind of have to bite my tongue sometimes with my lyrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/i-kind-of-have-to-bite-my-tongue-sometimes-with-my-lyrics/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [Girls, please, please, allow my voice to calm you down. Boys understand, girls will never listen or learn. I was old enough to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/broken-soul/girls-please-please-allow-my-voice-to-calm-you-down-boys-understand/) [Broken Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/broken-soul/) > [I'm blunt, honest and I don't bite my tongue when it comes to my feelings. I want you to know exactly how I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-blunt-honest-and-i-don-t-bite-my-tongue-when-it-comes-to-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not one to bite my tongue. If something needs to be said I will more than likely be the one saying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-one-to-bite-my-tongue-if-something-needs-to-be-said-i-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You keep me on the edge of my seat, I bite my tongue so you don't hear me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-keep-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-i-bite-my-tongue-so-you-don-t-hear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Favorite Quotations. I speak my mind because it hurts to bite my tongue. The worth of a book is measured by what you carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-frayne/favorite-quotations-i-speak-my-mind-because-it-hurts-to-bite-my/) Pat Frayne > [Bite my tongue...holding back. Fire on fire, won't fix that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-alvord/bite-my-tongue-holding-back-fire-on-fire-won-t-fix-that/) [Tiffany Alvord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-alvord/) > [Every day I wake up like, "This might be my last day, and I'm not scared of it. I'm gonna go out there, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prodigy/every-day-i-wake-up-like-this-might-be-my-last-day-and-i-m-not-scared/) [Prodigy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prodigy/) > [I've certainly had to bite my tongue on occasion and live to fight another day, so to speak, on certain things. But when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-nichols/i-ve-certainly-had-to-bite-my-tongue-on-occasion-and-live-to-fight/) [Joe Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-nichols/) Browse all 40 Bite my tongue quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Please,' she says, her head bent. 'Please. You must try to break the curse. I know that you are the queen by right and that you may not want him back, but-' If anything could have increased my astonishment, it was that. 'You think that I'd-' 'I didn't know you, before,' she says, the anguish clear in her voice. There is a hitch in her breath that comes with weeping. 'I thought you were just some mortal.' I have to bite my tongue at that, but I don't interrupt her. 'When you became his seneschal, I told myself that he wanted you for your lying tongue. Or because you'd become biddable, although you never were before. I should have believed you when you told him he didn't know the least of what you could do. 'While you were in exile, I got more of the story out of him. I know you don't believe this, but Cardan and I were friends before we were lovers, before Locke. He was my first friend when I came here from the Undersea. And we were friends, even after everything. I hate that he loves you.' 'He hated it, too,' I say with a laugh that sounds more brittle than I'd like. Nicasia fixes me with a long look. 'No, he didn't.' To that, I can only be silent. 'He frightens the Folk, but he's not what you think he is,' Nicasia says. 'Do you remember the servants that Balekin had? The human servants?' I nod mutely. Of course I remember. I will never forget Sophie and her pockets full of stones. 'They'd go missing sometimes, and there were rumours that Cardan hurt them, but it wasn't true. He'd return them to the mortal world.' I admit, I'm surprised. 'Why?' She throws up a hand. 'I don't know! Perhaps to annoy his brother. But you're human, so I thought you'd like that he did it. And he sent you a gown. For the coronation.' I remember it- the ball gown in the colours of the night, with the stark outlines of trees stitched on it and the crystals for stars. A thousand times more beautiful than the dress I commissioned. I had thought perhaps it came from Prince Dain, since it was his coronation and I'd sworn to be his creature when I'd joined the Court of Shadows. 'He never told you, did he?' Nicasia says. 'So see? Those are two nice things about him you didn't know. And I saw the way you used to look at him when you didn't think anyone was watching you.' I bite the inside of my cheek, embarrassed despite the fact that we were lovers, and wed, and it should hardly be a secret that we like each other. 'So promise me,' she says. 'Promise me you'll help him.' I think of the golden bridle, about the future the stars predicted. 'I don't know how to break the curse,' I say, all the tears I haven't shed welling up in my eyes. 'If I could, do you think i would be at this stupid banquet? Tell me what I must slay, what I must steal, tell me the riddle I must solve or the hag I must trick. Only tell me the way, and I will do it, no matter the danger, no matter the hardship, no matter the cost.' My voice breaks. She gives me a steady look. Whatever else I might think of her, she really does care for Cardan. And as tears roll down my cheeks, to her astonishment, I think she realises I do, too. Much good it does him.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Holly Black" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you-must-try-to-break-the-curse/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bite my tongue" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you-must-try-to-break-the-curse/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/844/holly-black-329_bite-my-tongue_please-she-says-her-head-bent-please-you_2243554.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Please,' she says, her head bent. 'Please. 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