Rae Carson Quotes

His name was Humberto, and now you're just being petty. ~ Rae Carson

Catch me if I fall? ~ Rae Carson

Walking away from my desert companions feels like cutting off a limb. How does one say good-bye to an arm? One doesn't, I suppose. One pretends it isn't happening. ~ Rae Carson

It's not our place to question God's will, and it is clearly God's will that the two of us become man and wife." It's a testament to my fine character that I don't smash that Bible right into his nose. "You wouldn't know God's will if it tipped its hat and said howdy. ~ Rae Carson

I should mark my surroundings better. I should look for exits, weaknesses, but I can't make myself focus, and after a moment, I don't even care. Dear Lord, I'm weary. ~ Rae Carson

They're still warm, and I burrow into my pillows, catching the faint scent of rosewater. Truly, my bed is the greatest place in the world. ~ Rae Carson

God's will. How many times have I heard someone declare their understanding of this thing I find so indefinable? ~ Rae Carson

Even more than the cold, I'm frozen by the sadness in his beautiful eyes, deep and true. He squeezes them closed a moment and breathes deeply through his nose. Then, with one swift movement, he cups the back of my neck with a strong hand, pulls my head forward, and presses his lips to mine. He wastes precious moments kissing me, his tongue gliding across my lips, darting at my teeth. I open my mouth and kiss back just as eagerly. ~ Rae Carson

You look beautiful," Alodia says.
I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. "I'm beautiful to the one person who matters."
She nods. "Hector's mouth is going to drop open when he sees you."
"I hope so. But I meant me. I'm beautiful to me. ~ Rae Carson

he Has the deepest eyes I've ever seen on a person, like a whole world goes on inside his head. ~ Rae Carson

Even if they were trained fighters, they'd likely be as pathetic as the rest of Joya d'Arena's military."
"Our pathetic military defeated yours in a single battle," I snap, before remembering that Storm is probably goading me for personal amusement.
"No, my dear Queen, you did," he says. "You and your Godstone. ~ Rae Carson

Words. I think sometimes when we find love we pretend it away, or ignore it, or tell ourselves we're imagining it. Because it's the most painful kind of hope there is. It can be ripped away so easily. By indifference. By death. ~ Rae Carson

The gate that leads to life is narrow and small so that few find it. ~ Rae Carson

Storm returns with close-cropped hair the color of corn silk and a new swagger. ~ Rae Carson

The Princess of Alderaan has disrupted my plan, ~ Rae Carson

Belen shrugs. "It's a perfect plan."
"As easy as falling in love," Mara adds.
"Foolproof," Hector agrees.
I don't deserve such friends. I blink against the sting of threatening tears and say, "All you Joyans are filthy liars. ~ Rae Carson

From the base of the South Pass, a twisty road leads up the Rocky Mountains. It's a well-earned name, because the steep slopes are covered in giant rocks split open and turned on edge every which way, like God started a quarry and got distracted ~ Rae Carson

A word is the only thing in the world made more powerful by absence than existence. ~ Rae Carson

I turn to Jasper. "What do you think? Do we hurry up so we can leave with them?"

"The oxen go faster, more consistently, when they see other wagons in front of them. And I know we've had our disagreements with those men, but all in all, I want to believe they're decent specimens of humanity. If something were to happen to one of our wagons, they'd no sooner leave us behind to die than we would them."

I hope he's right.
I turn to Jasper. "What do you think? Do we hurry up so we can leave with them?"

"The oxen go faster, more consistently, when they see other wagons in front of them. And I know we've had our disagreements with those men, but all in all, I want to believe they're decent specimens of humanity. If something were to happen to one of our wagons, they'd no sooner leave us behind to die than we would them."

I hope he's right. ~ Rae Carson

He peers closer, his hand dropping away. "What happened to your hair?"

"I cut it."

"Why on earth would . . . Oh."

"I'd appreciate it if you kept my secret."

He frowns. "I don't see how anyone with half a mind would mistake you for a boy."

"It's worked so far. I'm strong and I work hard and I ride well."

"Also, you can spit farther than any boy I know."

"And shoot straighter!"

He nods solemnly. "And opine louder. ~ Rae Carson

I almost panic then. The pleasure-power feeling flees, replaced by humiliation. It's obvious my husband doesn't recognize his own wife. Yet even in this public place, he can't be bothered to hide his admiration for a woman that he finds attractive.
He used to stare at me so intently, like I was the only thing in the world. Have I changed so much? Or maybe that mesmerizing gaze was just a weapon in his arsenal of appeal. Maybe he never actually saw.
Anger carries me the remaining distance. He is the one who should feel grimy with shame, not me. ~ Rae Carson

They have no idea what's coming. ~ Rae Carson

It is human nature to concoct explanations to fill the great void of the unknown. ~ Rae Carson

My face warms under the scrutiny of silence, and I'm almost relieved when he launches into his eulogy. To my dismay, it turns out to be a sermon. ~ Rae Carson

Bad men are never all bad, and good men are never all good, and it makes it hard to know up from down. ~ Rae Carson

Alone is such a nebulous state when one is queen. ~ Rae Carson

A woman married is a woman with nothing of her own. Everything she's ever worked for belongs to her husband. ~ Rae Carson

Maybe you could heal her? You're the one who loves her."
"I don't know how to heal."
"What you mean is you're too afraid to try."
His face turns thoughtful. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. ~ Rae Carson

Weren't you scared?" I ask.
"Yes. But it was a good scared."
"There's a good kind?"
"Oh, yes." Her voice drops so low I have to strain to hear. "Orlin made me scared all the time. Scared I would starve. Scared I would get too cold. Scared he would hurt me again or get so mad he'd throw me to one of the men. That was nasty bad scared." She pauses, scuffing her boots against the floor. "But you never hit me, even though I'm your slave ... You always feed me. You call me my true name. Now when I'm scared, it's not because of meanness. And today, I chose my own scared. It's always a good scared, when you get to pick it your own self. ~ Rae Carson

Sometimes it's best to let your opponent think he has control. ~ Rae Carson

Her love for me has always been a foolish thing, but I'm grateful for it. ~ Rae Carson

He studies me thoughtfully. "You are a beautiful queen, Elisa," he says voice pitched low.
I never expected he would say such a thing. "A month or two of pastries will fix that," I say. Then I smile to show him I mean it flippantly.
His expression does not change. "Even then. ~ Rae Carson

A quarterstaff is not very subtle. Or handy. If an kidnapper comes at me, what am I supposed to do? Say, 'Excuse me, my lord, while I pull my enormous quarterstaff out of my bodice? ~ Rae Carson

Painting the enemy as being as inhuman as possible is a great way to win a war. ~ Rae Carson

It would be useless to tell him that I'm done sacrificing other people for my own gain. I won't whip innocent kitchen workers, I won't burn down buildings, I won't ask anyone to give up their inheritance for me, and I certainly won't leave a friend at the mercy of a mysterious magical force-- merely for the sake of my own power. I press my fingers to the stone at my navel, taking comfort in its familiar pulsing. What I tell him is, 'And I have me. I will be enough. ~ Rae Carson

Well maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe you'll marry a man who is rich and powerful and wise AND wonderful to be naked with.'
I can't help the giggle that bubbles from my mouth.
'Maybe,' she says, 'you should ask all your suitors to drop their breeches so you can inspect the merchandise.'
'Mara!'
'You could make it a royal command.'
I toss a pillow at her. ~ Rae Carson

You do realise, don't you, that I was present during the assassination attempt? ~ Rae Carson

Where innovation was high but resources were low, you took what you had, slapped it all together, and hoped it held. It was the Corellian way. ~ Rae Carson

I wasn't done with you. I was just getting started with me. ~ Rae Carson

He acknowledged her, and Rey's lips parted in surprise. It felt different now. The connection was…right. Good. Like coming home. ~ Rae Carson

I cover his hand with my own: "The Champion must not waver," he says in my ear. "Yea, though SHE pass through the shadow of darkness, SHE shall not fear, for God's righteous right hand shall sustain her and give her new life triumphant. ~ Rae Carson

And I refuse to be governed by fear. The life stretching before me is that of a queen. It's a life I chose. Fought for, even. I cannot - will not - squander it on dread. ~ Rae Carson

I make my hand my whole world. Hand hand hand hand. I push through the sand and light and heat, and with every bit of strength I have in me, I squeeze back. ~ Rae Carson

How do women all know what to do with babies? It's like they have their own special kind of sorcery. ~ Rae Carson

Arina's face goes blank at his words, her brow smooth as butter. ~ Rae Carson

We'll carry you for a bit. It's our turn. ~ Rae Carson

My home is not a place; it's people. ~ Rae Carson

Make no mistake," Enrico says finally. "I never would have accepted your application were it not for the King's order. I expect you will be expelled within the month."
His forthrightness makes me bold. "I expect you will be surprised, my lord. ~ Rae Carson

It seems to me that when God decided he wanted to communicate with humankind, he could have come up with a much better plan. ~ Rae Carson

I love everything about him. I love that he cares so much about honor and duty. I love how, when he's working hardest to mask his feelings, they're actually leaking out all over the place. I love the way his hair curls when it gets wet, his slightly crooked smile, the way he smells. When he laughs, I feel it in my toes. ~ Rae Carson

Can't trust a man with only half his teeth, the gentleman agrees. They ~ Rae Carson

Later, when we've found this mysterious ship of Hector's and are safely away, when I have time to rest and worry and a quiet corner to hide in, I will coldly remember that being a queen means being strategic. And I will imagine sending off the man I love to marry my sister. I'll rehearse it in my head, maybe. Get used to the feeling. ~ Rae Carson

You made me cut and dye my hair."
Surely he understands that we face greater problems? "I thought it would greatly improve your looks," I snap.
"Shorn hair is a sign of shame. You humiliate me greatly."
"I'll light a candle tonight in honor of your dead tresses. ~ Rae Carson

Well, we'll have no more of such foolishness," I say harshly, to cover the wavering in my voice. "We're getting married, and that's that. ~ Rae Carson

She's as big as a house that's about to give birth to a woodshed ~ Rae Carson

Do you want to get married someday?" he persists.
And never have anything of my own? "Lord, no. [ ... ] ~ Rae Carson

How did you get here? To California, I mean."

"I walked across the ocean. On water, like your Jesus."

It takes a split second to realize she's funning me.

"On a ship, you dolt. In the hold, actually. I stowed away. ~ Rae Carson

Speak of evil, and you summon it. ~ Rae Carson

Her Skywalker legacy would go to Rey, Organa to Poe, and she would try one last time to pass her Solo legacy to her son. ~ Rae Carson

I don't care if it's Twilight or Fifty Shades or War and Peace - Never let someone make you ashamed of what you love to read! ~ Rae Carson

Hector!" He whips around. "You were never, never, going to be just a diversion to me." He sighs, nodding. "That was unfair of me," he says. "I'm sorr - " "And you will kiss me again. That and more. Count on it. ~ Rae Carson

The fifth place is for Hector. ~ Rae Carson

There's not a place in the whole world where everyone isn't willing
no, eager
to give a girl up to a man. ~ Rae Carson

His smile is like the sun rising huge and bright over the Siera Sangre. ~ Rae Carson

Yes, our love is a mutual thing, a thing between equals, but we can't escape the fact that I am his queen. It is up to me whether or not we see each other this night. I must decide. ~ Rae Carson

I should have let you bust Frank Dilley's nose," I say.

"That would have made things worse," he says.

"But it would have been a pleasure to watch. ~ Rae Carson

I pray silently, asking God to make me a little stronger, a little braver. ~ Rae Carson

One thing I have learned from many years of watching my father is that some people, the best ones, are motivated more by the chance to prove themselves than by a command to serve. It is the work itself that calls them onward, especially if they believe they are the only ones who can do it. ~ Rae Carson

I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little. ~ Rae Carson

The less you say, the more your words will matter. ~ Rae Carson

But you and I - " he brushes the collar of the gown aside - "are students of knowledge. We believe in careful practice to attain perfection. ~ Rae Carson

Just thinking about her makes you shine with her fire. ~ Rae Carson

Yes!" Belen raises his fist in a victory gesture. "We shall save the world from Invierne with slings! ~ Rae Carson

Until recently, I believed all horses were alike. They've been giant, four-footed animals with ugly dispositions and alarmingly large teeth for so long that it's a bit startling to notice how different they are from each other. Mara's mare, for instance, is a chestnut bay except for a wide white blaze down her nose that makes her seem perpetually surprised. My huge plodding mount is a dark brown near to black creature, with the most unruly mane I've ever seen. Her shaggy forelock covers her right eye and reaches almost to her mouth.
Mara's mare head-butts her in the chest. Grinning, Mara plants a kiss between her wide, dumb eyes, then murmurs something.
"Have you named her?" I ask.
"Yes! Her name is Jasmine."
I grimace. "But jasmine is such a sweet, pretty flower."
Mara laughs. "Have you named yours?"
"Her name is Horse."
She rolls her eyes. "If you want to get along with your mount you have to learn each others' languages. That means starting with a good name."
"All right." I pretend to consider. "What about Imbecile? Or Poops A Lot? ~ Rae Carson

She grabs my hand and squeezes. Then she looks me up and down, frowning. "You're disgusting."
"I dressed to commemorate the time you dragged me through the desert. ~ Rae Carson

The people around me gasp in recognition of the seal. ~ Rae Carson

I need air and light and a kind word. I need my friends. I need Peony.

I need my guns. ~ Rae Carson

Rosario is safe. You were supposed to outlive me. Elisa is ten times the ruler you were. I've stolen your wife. I'm not sorry.
I miss you. ~ Rae Carson

Can't we go another way?"
"Nope. Only way to reach the green grass of Oregon or the sweet gold of California is through hell itself."
I roll my eyes. The Major has been especially colorful since his amputation, cussing and exaggerating and telling tall tales. He reminds me of Daddy, except not fit for female company. ~ Rae Carson

Yes, well, everyone is ignorant when it comes to their own life and love. ~ Rae Carson

Just ... resting eyes. Heal me tomorrow. If I'm not ... "
Belen slaps her awake again.
"I hate you," she says.
"Yes," he agrees solemnly. "For years now. ~ Rae Carson

The hymn echoes in my head while I ready our wagon to leave. I've never felt so far from God's grace. I suppose I am a stranger walking on earth, but I'm no son of God. I'm no son at all. ~ Rae Carson

That is a lovely quilt, recruit," he says.
"Thank you, sir."
"It's the envy of every little girl in Brisadulce. I saw them sitting on the wall today, staring at that blanket and asking their mothers if they could join the Guard so they could have one just like it. Is that what you want, recruit? You want a Guard full of girls?"
"If they can fight well enough to defend the King, sir. ~ Rae Carson

The Missouri men are snakes," I whisper to Jeff. "The lot of them."
"Men are men," he says with a shrug. "It's men thinking other men are snakes that's the problem. ~ Rae Carson

Do you realise what you've done?" he says.
"I believe I just succeeded in using magic to pass your gate," I say. "Doesn't that make me an animagus? ~ Rae Carson

Promise me you'll live," he insists. "Because when this is all over, we must discuss how you sometimes kiss me to shut me up, and how I'll no longer stand for it. ~ Rae Carson

Honor from death," I snap, "is a myth. Invented by the war torn to make sense of the horrific. If we die, it will be so that others may live. Truly honorable death, the only honorable death, is one that enables life. ~ Rae Carson

I think you'd better stay extra alert tonight."

"Okay."

"I'm serious, Jeff. Someone snuck up on both Hampton and Martin, and neither of them are shirkers."

He grins. "You're worried for me, aren't you?"

"Course I am."

"Know what I think?"

I scowl at him, which only widens his grin.

He steps closer, puts a hand to my chin, and lifts it so I can't avoid his gaze. "I think you're in love with me," he says.

I stare at his lips. What comes out of my mouth is: "Jefferson McCauley Kingfisher, you have the swagger of a rooster and the swelled head of a melon. ~ Rae Carson

But none of it will be real. None of them will want me. My throne, yes. Prestige. A conquest. But not me. ~ Rae Carson

I am strong enough, man enough, to be subject to you. ~ Rae Carson

Maybe I've used up my love luck. ~ Rae Carson

Softly he says, "My life has ever been yours, Elisa." My ~ Rae Carson

Mara hurries over and takes my hands. "Er, congratulations on your pending nuptials?"
I whisper, "He'll be so angry when he learns I have engaged us without his knowledge. ~ Rae Carson

In the same way that the best lies have an element of truth, maybe evil is made all the more powerful when it is accompanied by the startling presence of grace. ~ Rae Carson

Fury is like a monster inside me, the one thing in my life I've been unable to master. I sent up a quick prayer of apology. "I know you don't listen to me the way you listen to my sister. But I'm sorry just the same." And then, because I am me and not my sister, I add: "Of course if you would help me see the strength in her, or nudge her to be a little more useful, then I wouldn't have to be sorry." Very likely this is why my prayers are seldom answered. (Alodia speaking of her sister Elisa) ~ Rae Carson

Cosmé is in constant attendance. Though no one will take Aneaxi's place, Cosmé is the most efficient maid I've ever had. I tell her so, frequently, and it gives me such a twist of pleasure to watch her react to praise from someone she despises. The Scriptura Sancta calls it "the fire of kindness. ~ Rae Carson

See that mountain up ahead?" Jefferson points to a low, rounded mound on the horizon. "I think that's it."
"It's called Independence Rock, not Independence Mountain," I say.
"Everything is bigger out here. Just look at me." He straightens in his saddle and puffs out his chest and fails to keep a straight face.
"Your head is bigger, that's for sure ~ Rae Carson

I wake to sunshine flashing on puddled water, to dirty clumps of hail melting in the shadowed lees of boulders, to rock wrens singing like it's the best day of their lives. ~ Rae Carson

Yes, I love him. Enough to follow him anywhere. ~ Rae Carson

That queen of yours played me like a vihuela, didn't she? ~ Rae Carson