--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien…" description: "\"“I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step back as I hugged him tightly. 'Thank you,' I said, trying not to think about all the steel on h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-stepped-forward-and-didn-t-give-lucien_1184976.jpg" --- # I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step… ![“I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step back as I hugged him tightly. 'Thank you,' I said, trying not to think about all the steel on him- if he'd need to use it. 'It was time,' Lucien said quietly, giving me a squeeze. 'For me to do something.' I pulled away, surveying his scarred…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-stepped-forward-and-didn-t-give-lucien_1184976.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-stepped-forward-and-didn-t-give-lucien_1184976.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-stepped-forward-and-didn-t-give-lucien_1184976.jpg) > ““I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step back as I hugged him tightly. 'Thank you,' I said, trying not to think about all the steel on him- if he'd need to use it. 'It was time,' Lucien said quietly, giving me a squeeze. 'For me to do something.' I pulled away, surveying his scarred face. 'Thank you,' I said again. It was all I could think of to say. Rhys extended a hand to Lucien. Lucien studied it- then my mate's face. I could nearly see all the hateful words they'd spoken. Dangling between them, between that outstretched hand and Lucien's own. But Lucien took Rhys's hand. That silent offer of not only transportation. Before that dark wind swept in, Lucien looked back. Not to me, I realised- to someone behind me. Pale and thin, Elain stood atop the stairs. Their gazes locked and held. But Elain said nothing. Did not so much as take one step downward. Lucien inclined his head in a bow, the movement hiding the gleam in his eye- the longing and sadness. And when Lucien turned to signal to Rhys to go... He did not glance back at Elain. Did not see the half step she took toward the stairs- as if she'd speak to him. Stop him. Then Rhys was gone, and Lucien with him. When I turned to offer Elain breakfast, she'd already walked away.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## 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 offers help in a tense moment, but unspoken emotions and missed connections linger, highlighting the cost of sacrifice and unexpressed feelings. **In simple terms:** Help is given, but feelings stay hidden. Key Takeaway Recognize and voice emotions before they become regrets. Themes sacrifice unspoken emotions friendship loss Mood melancholy tense reflective Type narrative emotional dramatic When to use this quote - battlefield - family reunion - critical decision - emotional confrontation Key Concepts trust communication regret Questions to Reflect On - How might speaking feelings have changed the outcome? - What does the silent goodbye reveal about their relationship? A Different Perspective Not all offers lead to resolution; some leave lingering pain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [A-court-of-wings-and-ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) [Elain-archeron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elain-archeron/) [Feyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre/) [Feyre-archeron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre-archeron/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Gone Lucien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gone-lucien-3491740/) [Leaving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaving/) [Lucien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucien/) [Lucien Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucien-looked-3491737/) [Lucien Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucien-took-3491739/) [Lucien Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucien-turned-3491738/) [Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhys/) [Rhysand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhysand/) [Sadness Lucien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadness-lucien-3491736/) [Sarah-j-maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarah-j-maas/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Truce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truce/) ## Related quotes > [“God afternoon," I said cheerfully, with an especially saccharine smile for the High Lord. 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Now it's just a matter of deciding how we meet the consequences.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/it-s-already-ended-badly-now-it-s-just-a-matter-of-deciding-how-we/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She was hungry. She was... doing something. Learning something. ... I put a hand on my chest, leaning against the wood panels of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-was-hungry-she-was-doing-something-learning-something-i-put-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“But she ignored it, leaning her brow against the cool glass of the window. She let the starlight gently brush her head, her face,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/but-she-ignored-it-leaning-her-brow-against-the-cool-glass-of-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“If I offer you the moon on a string, will you give me a kiss, too?"- Lucien Vanserra”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-i-offer-you-the-moon-on-a-string-will-you-give-me-a-kiss-too/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Azriel arrived first, no shadows to be seen, my sister a pale, golden mass in his arms. He, too, wore his Illyrian armour, Elain's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/azriel-arrived-first-no-shadows-to-be-seen-my-sister-a-pale-golden/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Amren said to her, 'I'm surprised you didn't take the king's head back to have stuffed and hung on your wall.' Nesta's eyes shot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-said-to-her-i-m-surprised-you-didn-t-take-the-king-s-head-back/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Elain fell into step beside me, peering at Lucien. He noticed it. 'I heard you made the killing blow,' he said. Elain studied the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/elain-fell-into-step-beside-me-peering-at-lucien-he-noticed-it-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lucien. It was Lucien. Lucien, haggard and bloody, panting for breath. As if he'd run from the shore. His gaze settled on Elain, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lucien-it-was-lucien-lucien-haggard-and-bloody-panting-for-breath-as/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I would like to build a garden,' she declared. 'After all of this... I think the world needs more gardens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-would-like-to-build-a-garden-she-declared-after-all-of-this-i-think-2/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More A-court-of-wings-and-ruin quotes > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I see all of you, Rhys. And there is not one part that I do not love with everything I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-see-all-of-you-rhys-and-there-is-not-one-part-that-i-do-not-love/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I caught a bob of Rhys's throat as we cleared the final steps to the open doorway. ... And though his face was calm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-caught-a-bob-of-rhys-s-throat-as-we-cleared-the-final-steps-to-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Amren,' Varian said, and sank onto his knees. 'I am begging you-' ... She looked to Varian, a wry smile on her red mouth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-varian-said-and-sank-onto-his-knees-i-am-begging-you-she-looked/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Helion threw himself onto the couch across from Cassian and Mor. He'd ditched that radiant crown somewhere, but kept that gold armband of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/helion-threw-himself-onto-the-couch-across-from-cassian-and-mor-he-d/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You and pretty Tarquin had a moment today. Do you truly think he'll join us?' 'If you mean in bed, definitely not,' Rhys said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-and-pretty-tarquin-had-a-moment-today-do-you-truly-think-he-ll/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Rhys turned his head, looking me over from head to toe. Then back to Tamlin. A storm about to be unleashed. But it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas-2/rhys-turned-his-head-looking-me-over-from-head-to-toe-then-back-to/) [Sarah J Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas-2/) > [“It will be- very dangerous.' A half smile curved Lucien's mouth. 'Good. It'd be boring otherwise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/it-will-be-very-dangerous-a-half-smile-curved-lucien-s-mouth-good-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“If you hadn't stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-you-hadn-t-stolen-my-bride-away-in-the-night-rhysand-i-would-not/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I'm not in the business of discussing our plans with enemies.' Helion, across the reflection pool, grinned like a lion. 'No,' Tamlin said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-discussing-our-plans-with-enemies-helion/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You're still lovely," Mor said a bit gently. Elain offered a half smile. "I suppose that war makes wanting things like that unimportant." Mor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-re-still-lovely-mor-said-a-bit-gently-elain-offered-a-half-smile/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“No going back now,' Cassian said to Rhys, gesturing to his wings. Rhys slid his hands into his pockets. 'I figure it's time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/no-going-back-now-cassian-said-to-rhys-gesturing-to-his-wings-rhys/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What do you want?' I hissed. 'An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?' 'Why should I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-do-you-want-i-hissed-an-apology-for-me-to-crawl-back-into-your/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lucien. It was Lucien. Lucien, haggard and bloody, panting for breath. As if he'd run from the shore. His gaze settled on Elain, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lucien-it-was-lucien-lucien-haggard-and-bloody-panting-for-breath-as/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The chamber was a cool, chill black- as if we'd stepped inside the mind of some sleeping beast. And within its round space gleamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-chamber-was-a-cool-chill-black-as-if-we-d-stepped-inside-the-mind/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Browse all 81 A-court-of-wings-and-ruin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step back as I hugged him tightly. 'Thank you,' I said, trying not to think about all the steel on him- if he'd need to use it. 'It was time,' Lucien said quietly, giving me a squeeze. 'For me to do something.' I pulled away, surveying his scarred face. 'Thank you,' I said again. It was all I could think of to say. Rhys extended a hand to Lucien. Lucien studied it- then my mate's face. I could nearly see all the hateful words they'd spoken. Dangling between them, between that outstretched hand and Lucien's own. But Lucien took Rhys's hand. That silent offer of not only transportation. Before that dark wind swept in, Lucien looked back. Not to me, I realised- to someone behind me. Pale and thin, Elain stood atop the stairs. Their gazes locked and held. But Elain said nothing. Did not so much as take one step downward. Lucien inclined his head in a bow, the movement hiding the gleam in his eye- the longing and sadness. And when Lucien turned to signal to Rhys to go... He did not glance back at Elain. Did not see the half step she took toward the stairs- as if she'd speak to him. Stop him. Then Rhys was gone, and Lucien with him. When I turned to offer Elain breakfast, she'd already walked away.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. 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