Adrian Ivashkov Quotes

Piece of Heaven?"
"No, that other place I'm going to go to for thinking what I'm thinking. ~ Richelle Mead

Can you come over to Amberwood? I need you to help me break curfew and escape my dorm."
There were a few moments of silence. "Sage, I've been waiting two months to hear you say those words. You want me to bring a ladder? ~ Richelle Mead

The center will hold.
Will it, Sydney? I wondered.
Because I'm falling apart. ~ Richelle Mead

You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth. ~ Michelle Mead

I wrote back with a quick message:
How do you know about 24601? I refuse to believe you read the book. You saw the musical, right?
I hit send and received a response back from him almost immediately.
SparkNotes. ~ Richelle Mead

I don't care if you say we can't be together. I don't care if you think I'm the most evil, unnatural creature walking on earth. You can think whatever you want, go whatever you want. I'm going to just go on loving you, even if it's hopeless. ~ Richelle Mead

You aren't going to go crazy," I said firmly. "You're stronger than you think. The next time you feel that way, find something to focus on, to remind you of who are."
"Like what? Got some magic object in mind?"
"Doesn't have to be magic," I said. I racked my brain. "Here." I unfastened the golden cross necklace. "This has always been good for me. Maybe it'll help you." I set it in his hand, but he caught hold of mine before I could pull back ~ Richelle Mead

All that mattered was that he was Adrian, my Adrian. My match. My partner in crime, in the long battle I'd just signed on for to right the wrongs in the Alchemist and Moroi worlds. Maybe Marcus was right that I'd also signed myself up for disaster, but I didn't care. In that moment, it seemed that as long as Adrian and I were together, there was no challenge too great for us. ~ Richelle Mead

No matter how long or how difficult, we will undo whatever that Moroi boy has done to you."
I managed a wavering smile, tasting blood in my mouth. "You sure about that, Dad? Because he's done everything to me. ~ Richelle Mead

Who is he?"
"An idiot, said Adrian. "Makes me look like an upstanding member of society. ~ Richelle Mead

She's an Alchemist," continued Nathan. "Not a chauffeur. There's a big difference." Actually, there were days at Amberwood I doubted that. "Come, Miss Sage. If you've wasted your day driving my son here, the least I can do is buy you lunch."
I shot a panicked look at Adrian. It wasn't panicked because I was afraid of being with Moroi. I'd long since gotten used to these sorts of situations. What I was unsure of was if Adrian really wanted me around for his family reunion. That hadn't been part of the plan. Also, I wasn't sure that I really wanted to be around for said reunion either.
"Dad-" Adrian attempted.
"I insist," said Nathan crisply. "Pay attention and learn common courtesy." He turned and began walking away, assuming we'd follow. We did.
"Should I find a reason to leave?" I whispered to Adrian.
"Not when he uses his 'I insist' voice," came the muttered response. ~ Richelle Mead

I'm not a warrior or a goddess," I said at last.
Adrian leaned closer. "As far as I'm concerned, you're both. ~ Richelle Mead

We all screw up. Everyone makes mistakes. That's what she did. It was bad judgment, that's all. You don't cut off the people you love for mistakes like that. ~ Richelle Mead

No, you 'will' listen. For once, you're going to hear something that doesn't fit into you neat, compartmentalized world of order and logic and reason. Because this isn't reasonable. If you're terrified, believe me- this scares the hell out of me, too. You asked about Rose? I tried to be a better person for her- but it was to impress her, to get her to want me. But when I'm around you, I want to be better because ... well, because it feels right. Because 'I' want to. You make me want to become something greater than myself. I want to excel. You inspire me in every act, ever word, every glance. I look at you, and you're like ... like light made into flesh. I said it on Halloween and meant every word: you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth. And you don't even know it. You have no clue how beautiful you are of how brightly you shine. -Adrian Ivashkov, pg. 415 ~ Richelle Mead

I wanted him. I arched my back, fully aware of how vulnerable that made me and that I was giving him an invitation. He accepted it and laid me back against the table, bringing his body down on top of mine. That crushing kiss of his moved from my mouth to the nape of my neck. He pushed down the edge of my dress and the bra strap underneath, exposing my shoulder and giving his lips more skin to conquer. ~ Richelle Mead

Wow," said Adrian. He sat down on the bed and tested its bounciness, giving it a nod of approval. "This is amazing. What do you think, buttercup?"
"I have no words," I said honestly.
He patted the spot beside him. "Want to try it out? ~ Richelle Mead

I realized I'm in love. It's always been right in front of me. ~ Richelle Mead

Something clenched in my chest, and for a moment, the whole world narrowed down to the green of his eyes. ~ Richelle Mead

So, Zoe told me today that - " "Wait. Are you going to talk like that?"
I glanced down and realized he was referring to the fact that my shirt was sitting on the floor beside me. "My bra's still on. What's the problem?"
"The problem is that I'm distracted. Very distracted. If you want my undivided attention and wisdom, you'd better put the shirt back on."
I smiled and scooted over to him. "Why, Adrian Ivashkov, are you admitting weakness?" I reached out to touch his cheek, and he caught my wrist with a fierceness that was surprisingly provocative.
"Of course. I never claimed strength in the face of your charms, Sage. I'm just an ordinary man. Now put the shirt back on. ~ Richelle Mead

Those words, that voice, had more power over me than any phantom ever could. ~ Richelle Mead

Out of old habit, I put my hand on my collarbone, touching a cross that was no longer there.
Don't let them change me, I prayed silently.Let me keep my mind. Let me endure whatever there is to come. ~ Richelle Mead

I'll be damned. You found him."
"Thanks to you," I said.
Adrian glanced over at me. A smile started to form - and then instantly dried up. "What happened to your face?"
"Oh.Marcus hit me."
I'd never seen Adrian move so fast. Marcus had no chance to react, probably because he was exhausted from our earlier encounter. Adrian shoved Marcus up against a wall and - to my complete and utter astonishment - punched Marcus.
Adrian had once joked that he never dirtied his hands, so this was something I never could have prepared myself for. In fact, if Adrian was going to attack someone, I would've expected something magical and spirit-driven.
Yet . . . as I watched him, I could see that anything as thoughtful as magic was far from Adrian's mind. He had kicked into primal mode. See a threat. Go after it.
It was yet another surprising - yet fascinating - side of the enigma that was Adrian Ivashkov. ~ Richelle Mead

My cigarettes and I are going outside. At least they show me respect. ~ Richelle Mead

How was it that Adrian Ivashkov, who never seemed to take anything seriously was the only one among these "responsible" people who paid attention to such small details? How was he the only one to really understand the magnitude of what I was feeling? ~ Richelle Mead

So, explain this," Avery said, "You just, what, hang around the Academy all day? Are you trying to redo your high school experience?"
"Nothing to redo," said Adrian loftily. "I totally ruled my high school. I was worshiped and adored - not that that should come as a shock." Beside him, Christian nearly choked on his food.
"So. . .You're trying to relive your glory days. It's all gone downhill since then, huh?"
"No way," said Adrian. "I'm like a fine wine. I get better with age. The best is yet to come."
"Seems like it'd get old after a while," said Avery, "I'm certainly bored, and I even spend part of the day helping my dad."
"Adrian sleeps most of the day," noted Lissa, "So he doesn't actually have to worry about finding things to do."
"Hey, I spend a good portion of my time helping you unravel the mysteries of spirit," Adrian reminded her. "And," he added, "I can visit people in their dreams."
Christian held up a hand. "Stop. I can feel there's a comment coming on about how women already dream about you. I just ate, you know."
"I wasn't going to go there," said Adrian. But he kind of looked like he wished he'd thought of the joke first. ~ Richelle Mead

Historically inaccurate.' Adrian gestured at me with his other hand, the one not on my shoulder. Who the hell looks at you and says 'historically inaccurate'? ~ Richelle Mead

Imperfection would get me farther than perfection. ~ Richelle Mead

What's going on?' he asked, looking from face to face. 'I was having a good dream.'
'I need you,' said Lissa.
'I hear that from women a lot,' said Adrian.
Christian made a gagging sound, but the faintest glimmer of a smile crossed Eddie's lips, despite his otherwise tough guardian-stance. ~ Richelle Mead

Who knows more about male weakness: you or me? Use my knowledge, Sage. ~ Richelle Mead

Sage, aren't you guys supposed to have uniforms? This looks like what you usually wear. ~ Richelle Mead

If I keep loving you, maybe you'll crack and love me too. ~ Richelle Mead

Not everything about me is cute."
"That's true, some things are cute. The rest are sexy. Astonishing, agonizingly sexy. It's a wonder I can get anything done at all, when all I ever think about is the way your lips taste or how your fingertips feel on my skin or how your legs are ... "
"Adrian, shut up. ~ Richelle Mead

I love you, and beneath all that logic, calculation, and superstition, I know you love me too. ~ Richelle Mead

Melbourne, I always knew you'd need to learn about this kind of thing. I 'd just kind of hoped you'd learn it on a real guy. ~ Richelle Mead

I didn't realize when I brought him back here that you'd inflict more damage." I said, once I'd finished the story.
"I was defending your honor." Adrian gave me that devil-may-care smile that always managed to both infuriate and captivate me. "Pretty manly, huh? ~ Richelle Mead

No, thank you," said Adrian. "These hands don't sully themselves with fighting. ~ Richelle Mead

I like you being the sinner you are. -Adrian Ivashkov ~ Richelle Mead

An image of Sydney's face appeared in my mind's eye, calm and lovely.
I believe in you.
My anxiety faded.
I took a deep breath and met the gazes of all those watching me in the room.
Who was I to do this?
I was Adrian Ivashkov.
And I was about to kick some ass. ~ Richelle Mead

Damn, you have no idea what I have been through today."
"Actually I have a pretty good idea. ~ Richelle Mead

All the while, my mind reeled with what had happened.
I have a hickey. I let Adrian Ivashkov give me a hickey. ~ Richelle Mead

Somehow, Sydney had an internal clock that told her when time was up. I think it was part of her inherent ability to keep track of a hundred things at once. Not me. In these moments, my thoughts were usually focused on getting her shirt off and whether I'd get past the bra this time. So far, I hadn't. ~ Richelle Mead

He shook his head in mock sympathy. I tell you, Sage. Sometimes I think I am the one who needs to take out the restraining order on you. ~ Richelle Mead

Everything I'd fought for, every challenge, every victory ... all of it was empty if anything happened to him. Without him, I wouldn't have had the courage to become the person I was. Without him, I wouldn't have realized what it truly was to live and love life. Centrum permanebit. He was my center, and there was nothing I wouldn't do, nothing I wouldn't give up, to keep him safe. ~ Richelle Mead

My God, Sage. Your eyes. How have I never noticed them?"
That uncomfortable feeling was spreading over me again. "What about them?"
"The color," he breathed. "When you stand in the light. They're amazing ... like molten gold. I could paint those ... " He reached toward me but then pulled back. "They're beautiful. You're beautiful. ~ Richelle Mead

He stared at me for several heavy seconds and then laughed - though there wasn't much humor in it. "You know what's great? You'reserious. Look at your face." He gestured, as though I actually could examine myself. "You really think it's that easy, that I can sit here and watch your happy ending. That I can watch you getting everything you want as you lead your charmed life. ~ Richelle Mead

Sydney, don't leave Adrian because of me."
"It's more complicated than that," I said automatically.
"It's really not," she said. "From everything I've seen and heard, you're just afraid. You've always controlled every detail of your life. When you couldn't-like with the Alchemists-you found a way to seize back that control."
"There is nothing wrong with wanting control," I snapped.
"Except that we can't always have it, and sometimes that is a good thing. A great thing, even," she added. "And that's how it is with Adrian. No matter how hard you try, you aren't going to be able to control your feelings for him. You can't help loving him, and so you're running away. I'm just an excuse. ~ Richelle Mead

Adrian looked away from me and down to where my hand covered his. I blushed and pulled away. "Sorry" I'd probably freaked him out ~ Richelle Mead

I sent a quick text to Adrian: I have a hickey! You can't ever kiss me again. I honestly hadn't expected him to be awake this early, so I was surprised to get a response: Okay. I won't kiss you on your neck again.
So typical of him. No! You can't ever kiss me ANYWHERE. You said you were going to keep your distance.
I'm trying, he wrote back. But you won't keep your distance from me.
I didn't dignify that with a response. ~ Richelle Mead

You destroy my life then feed me inspirational philosophy. ~ Richelle Mead

I was astonished to see Adrian watching me, a look of contentment on his face. His eyes seemed to study my every feature. Seeing me notice him, he immediately looked away. His usual smirky expression replaced by a dreamy one.
"The mechanic will wait," he said.
"Yeah, but I'm supposed to meet Brayden soon, I'll be-" That's when I got a good look at Adrian. "What have you done? Look at you! You shouldn't be out here."
"It's not that bad."
He was lying, and we both knew it.
"Come on, we have to get you out of here before you get worse. What were you thinking?"
His expression was astonishingly nonchalant for someone who looked like he would pass out. "It was worth it. You looked ... happy ~ Richelle Mead

And then the kissing started again. There was no avoiding it, not when we were together like this, far away from the real world of our normal lives. The setting was too perfect. He was too perfect, despite being one of the most imperfect people I knew. And honestly, we'd wasted far too much time with doubts and games. The one thing you learn from constantly having your life in danger is that you'd better not waste it. ~ Richelle Mead

Thank you for sending my imagination to a place it can never return from. ~ Richelle Mead

Micah showed up shortly thereafter and was happy to meet our other "brother."
He shook Adrian's hand and smiled. "Now I see some family resemblance. I was starting to wonder if Jill was adopted, but you two kind of look like each other."
"So does our mailman back in North Dakota," said Adrian.
"South," I corrected. Fortunately, Micah didn't seem to think there was anything weird about the slip.
"Right," said Adrian. He studied Micah thoughtfully. "There's something familiar about you. Have we met?"
Micah shook his head. "I've never been to South Dakota."
I was pretty sure I heard Adrian murmur, "That makes two of us. ~ Richelle Mead

She sat up, cheeks flushed and golden hair tousled. She was so beautiful that it made my soul ache. I always wished desperately that I could paint her in these moments and immortalize that look in her eyes. There was a softness in them that I rarely saw at other times, a total and complete vulnerability in someone who was normally so guarded and analytical in the rest of her life. But although I was a decent painter, capturing her on canvas was beyond my skill.
She collected her brown blouse and buttoned it up, hiding the brightness of turquoise lace with the conservative attire she liked to armor herself in. She'd done an overhaul of her bras in the last month, and though I was always sad to see them disappear, it made me happy to know they were there, those secret spots of color in her life. ~ Richelle Mead

Oh," he said, knocking a red ball into
a hole. "It's you."
"You were expecting someone else?"
I asked. "Am I interrupting your social
calendar?" I made a big show of
glancing around the empty room. "I don't
want to keep you from the mob of fans
beating down your door. ~ Richelle Mead

Darling" she said with a small laugh "Love doesn't have anything to do with this."
"It has very thing to do with it!" I exclaimed. ~ Richelle Mead

So many details came into focus. The shape of his lips, the line of his neck. "I'm not dangerous," I breathed.
He brought his face toward mine. "You are to me."
And somehow, against all reason, we were kissing. I closed my eyes, and the world around me faded. ~ Richelle Mead

You know," said Sydney, after a sip. "I kind of can taste some citrus in this. Just barely. Like a hint of orange. And it's sweeter than I thought, but that'd make sense if the guy said it was late harvest varietal. Grapes retain more sugar the longer they stay on the vine."
"I knew it," I said triumphantly. "I knew this was exactly what would happen if I ever got you to drink."
She titled her head, puzzled. "What?"
"Never mind. ~ Richelle Mead

Sage." He laughed. "I'm into anything, so long as you're with me. ~ Richelle Mead

Work? Come on, Sage. Go buy a bikini and enjoy the pool while you're hanging around. ~ Richelle Mead

So. Are you guys here to convert me or sell me siding? ~ Richelle Mead

Maybe I was in love, but I was still me, after all. ~ Richelle Mead

Aw you'd never hurt me. My face is too pretty. -Adrian Ivashkov ~ Richelle Mead

He froze, and for one moment, we stood locked in time. I could feel the silk of his shirt against my skin and the warmth of his body. The lingering scent of the overpriced cologne he wore floated around me. No smoke for a change. I'd always told him the cologne couldn't be worth what he spent, but suddenly, I reconsidered. It was amazing. ~ Richelle Mead

Don't worry, little dhampir. You might be surrounded by clouds, but you'll always be like sunshine to me. ~ Richelle Mead

Sydney: I can do a lot of things, Adrian.
And - at the risk of sounding egotistical - I mean, well, I can do a lot of pretty awesome things that most people can't."
Adrian: "Don't I know it. You can change a tire in ten minutes while speaking Greek."
Sydney: "Five minutes. ~ Richelle Mead

Not true," said Adrian. "All guys mean the same thing when they want to 'get to know a girl better.' You're a wellbred young lady, so I understand why you'd be too innocent to understand. Good thing you've got me here to interpret. ~ Richelle Mead

Hey, have you ever heard of the Alchemists? "
"Sure, " he said.
"Of course you have. "
"Why? Did you run into them? "
"Kind of. "
"What'd you do? "
"Why do you think I did anything? "
He laughed. "Alchemists only show up when trouble happens, and you bring trouble wherever you go. Be careful, though. They're religious nuts."
"That's kind of extreme," I said.
"Just don't let them convert you." He winked. "I like you being the sinner you are. ~ Richelle Mead

I had never thought I could love another person this much. I also never thought I'd live in such fear of losing another person. Was this how everyone in love felt? Did they all cling tightly to their beloved and wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being alone? Was that an inevitable way of life when you loved so deeply? Or was it just those of us who walked on a precipice who lived in such panic? ~ Richelle Mead

So far I'm not seeing a lot of difference between me and a carnival con-man. ~ Richelle Mead

Rose, I'm an addict with no work ethic who is likely going to go insane. I'm not like you. I'm not a super-hero."
"Not yet," I said. ~ Richelle Mead

Mmm. O positive, my favorite. ~ Richelle Mead

And besides . . . I don't want to leave you. Er, you guys."

He smiled, and it lit up his whole face. "Well, 'we' are certainly happy to hear that. Oh, and I'm also happy to watch our darling little love child dragon while you're in St. Louis."

I grinned back. ~ Richelle Mead

Ivashkov," she repeated, her face the picture of serenity. "My name is Sydney Ivashkov. ~ Richelle Mead

He shook his head. "No. Because there's no one else out there who understands you like I do."
I waited for more. "That's it? You're not going to elaborate on what that means?"
Those green eyes held me. "I don't think I need to. ~ Richelle Mead

Whoa." Adrian leapt up and rushed to Jill's side. "You need to let this go. What, are you going to start a fight with some girl?"
Reed turned his glare on Adrian. "Stay out of this."
"The hell I will! You're crazy."
If anyone had asked me to make up a list of people most likely to risk a fight in defense of a lady's honor, Adrian Ivashkov would have been low on that list. Yet there he stood, face hard and hand sitting protectively on Jill's shoulder. I was in awe. And impressed. ~ Richelle Mead

Well, you can think what you want, so long as you remember - no matter how ordinary things seem between us - I'm still here, still in love with you, and care about you more than any other guy, evil or otherwise, ever will. ~ Richelle Mead

Hey, Ivashkov! Open up. " Avery argued. She kept pounding on the door and yelling, and finally, Adrian answered. His hair stuck up at odd angles, and he had dark circles under his eyes. He'd drunk twice as much as Lissa last night.
"What ... ?" He blinked. "Shouldn't you guys be in class? Oh God. I didn't sleep that much, did I? "
"Let us in, " said Avery, pushing past. "We've got refugees from a fire here. " She flounced onto his couch, making herself at home while he continued staring. Lissa and Christian joined her.
"Avery sprang the fire alarm, " explained Lissa.
"Nice work, " said Adrian, collapsing into a fluffy chair. "But why'd you have to come here? Is this the only place that's not burning down? "
Avery batted her eyelashes at him. "Aren't you happy to see us? " He eyed her speculatively for a moment.
"Always happy to see you. ~ Richelle Mead

Hey show some respect. They're real people with names. Carla and Krissy" He frowned. "Or was it Missy? ~ Richelle Mead

You can think whatever you want, do whatever you want ... I'm going to just go on loving you, even if it's hopeless. - Adrian Ivashkov ~ Richelle Mead

Maybe everyone else thinks your aversion to food is cute- but not me. I've watched you watch Jill. Here's some tough love: you will never, ever have her body. Ever. It's impossible. She's Moroi. You're human. That's biology. You have a great one, one that most humans would kill for- and you'd look even better if you put on a little weight. Five pounds would be a good start. Hide the ribs. Get a bigger bra size ~ Richelle Mead

I gave him a smile that I hoped was as dazzling as one of his. "I realized I'm in love."
Marcus, startled, looked around as though he expected to see my object d'amour in the car with us. "And you just realized this? Did you just have some sort of vision?"
"Didn't need to," I said, thinking of Wolfe's ill-fated trip to the Orkneys. "It's always been right in front of me. ~ Richelle Mead

You're presumptuous and arrogant and a whole lot of other things if you think I've changed my mind."
"You see, that's just it." There he was again, moving into my space. "I think you like the 'other things. ~ Richelle Mead

And he has so much, Sydney. So much feeling. He feels everything so strongly - love, grief, anger. His emotions are up and down, all over the place. ~ Richelle Mead

I'm going to just go on loving you, even if it's hopeless. -Adrian- ~ Richelle Mead

I knew you were a badass," continued Adrian. "But I didn't realize just how much until I saw you dropping guardians out there."
"Does that mean you're going to be nicer to me?" I teased.
"I'm already nice to you," he said loftily. "Do you know how badly I want a cigarette right now? But no. I manfully suffer through nicotine withdrawal - all for you. ~ Richelle Mead

What do you think, little dhampir? I was pretty badass with that plant, wasn't I? Of course, it would have been more badass if I'd, I dunno, helped an amputee grow a limb back. Or maybe separated Siamese twins. But that'll come with more practice. ~ Richelle Mead

Takes a lot of tries before you hit perfection." He paused to reconsider that. "Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try." (Adrian) ~ Richelle Mead

We're going on a, um, windmill tour later this week."
If I'd wanted to shut them all up, I'd definitely succeeded. They all looked stunned.
Adrian spoke first. "I'm going to assume that means he's flying you to Amsterdam on his private jet. If so, I'd like to come along. But not for the windmills. ~ Richelle Mead

I know how devastated you must be to miss me, but leave a message, and I'll try to ease your agony ~ Richelle Mead

You look confused," said Adrian.
I shook my head and sighed. "I think I'm just overthinking things."
He nodded solemnly. "That's why I try to never do it. ~ Richelle Mead

In fact I was fairly certain there was no one in the entire world quite like Adrian Ivashkov. ~ Richelle Mead

It was with some surprise that I saw that the person waiting for me at the airport's exit was Adrian. A grin spread over my face, and I picked up the pace. I threw my arms around him, astonishing both of us.
"I have never been happier to see you in my life," I said.
He squeezed me tightly and then let me go, regarding me admiringly. "The dreams never do justice to real life, little dhampir. You look amazing."
"And you look ... " I studied him. He was dressed as nicely as always. His dark brown hair had that crafted messiness he liked, but his face - ah, well. As I'd noted before, Simon had gotten a few good punches on him. One of Adrian's eyes was swollen and ringed with bruises.
Nonetheless, thinking about him and everything he'd done ... Well, none of the flaws mattered.
" ... Gorgeous."
"Liar," he said.
"Couldn't Lissa have healed that black eye away?"
"It's a badge of honor. Makes me seem manly. ~ Richelle Mead

Rose, nothing in this world could make me hate you."
"Not even trying to bring my ex-boyfriend back from the dead? ~ Richelle Mead

Plus it'll give you a chance to get us a wedding present. We're not registered anywhere, but we could seriously use some china and a blender. ~ Richelle Mead

ARE YOU CRAZY? I ASKED.
He gave me the same wordless look he always did when I asked that question. ~ Richelle Mead

I certainly hadn't expected to walk away from today's trip with joint custody of a miniature dragon. ~ Richelle Mead

Adrian: "But what are loyal and caring really worth?"
Sydney: "To me? Everything. ~ Richelle Mead

You're a solid person, Sage. You're easy on the eyes, if a little skinny, and your ability to memorize useless information is going to totally hook in some guy. ~ Richelle Mead

The greatest changes in history have come when people were able to shake off what others told them to do. ~ Richelle Mead