Yelena Zaltana Quotes

And what did you give him in return?"..."My heart. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Good food, fresh water, and an occasional sweet and someone to care for. That's what everyone should have. A simplistic and unrealistic view I knew, but it soothed me. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I'm surprised you didn't go after him." And glad.
"I wanted to, but Ari stopped me."
"Did he sit on you?" I teased. That earned me a smile.
"No. He used logic."
"Yay for logic."
"I better go and tell them you're safe. They're waiting with the guards."
"The guards?"
"Yes, I insisted they remain there. It was difficult since Ari and Janco won't let me go anywhere on my own."
"That's good. Stronger together, remember?"
He hesitated for a second, then said, "I need to tell Ari he was right."
"It could be worse."
Valek waited.
"It could be Janco who was right."
"Ah, yes. That would be worse. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I never laugh at a beautiful woman. I'd much rather laugh and dance with her. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Reviewing our fight, I asked Janco, Why do you rhyme when you fight? ~ Maria V. Snyder

THAT'S PATHETIC, YELENA," Dax complained. "An all-powerful Soulfinder who isn't all-powerful. Where's the fun in that?" He threw up his long thin arms in mock frustration.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not the one who attached the 'all-powerful' to the title. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Yelena." I halted in the doorway, looking back over my shoulder.
"You once said I wasn't ready to believe your reason for killing Reyad. I'll believe you now."
"But I'm not ready to tell you," I said and left the room. ~ Maria V. Snyder

In keeping with his cryptic nature, all your Story Weaver said was 'The horses know where to go.' It's certainly not a military strategy I would use, but I've learned that the south uses its own strategy. And, strangely enough, it works. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Run," he whispered. "Run."
"No, Rand," I said, brushing the dirt from his face. "I'm tired of running."
"Forgive me, please." He clutched my hand as his eyes beseeched me through tears of pain.
"You're forgiven."
He sighed once, then stopped breathing. The shine in his brown eyes dulled. I pulled his hood over his head. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I shook my head at Janco. "I've got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I'll meet you there."
Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. "Come on, she doesn't need our help." Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. "I'll bet you a copper that she'll be free in five minutes," he said to Ari.
Ari grunted in amusement. "A silver on ten minutes," he countered.
"I'll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him," Valek said
from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. "The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love? ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek leaned back in his chair and said to me, "I don't think I would have made it past the audition,Yelena. I probably would have set my hair on fire by this point."
"What's a singed head for the sake of art?" I teased. He laughed. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek: You know a death sentence hasn't kept us apart before.
Yelena: Is that an order Valek?
Valek: No, it's a promise! ~ Maria V. Snyder

To Yelena, our newest food taster. May you last longer than your predecessor. ~ Maria V. Snyder

A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?" His eyes lit up.
"Want to see the scar? It's cool." He started pulling his shirt out of his pants.
"Janco," Ari warned. "We're not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians."
"But she's not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven't gone south on us, have you?" Janco's voice held mock horror.
"Because if you have I can't give you your present."
I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. "What about 'Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever'? Does that change if I become an official southerner?"
Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering.
"No," Ari said. "You could change into a goat and it would still apply. ~ Maria V. Snyder

One snake wasn't enough. Time for Perl's suggestion. I handed everyone two capsules and a pin. "Get as close to the guards as you can. Poke a small hole in the capsule and squirt the liquid near them. Don't get it on you," I instructed.
"Why not?" Leif asked.
"You'll have a necklace snake trying to mate with you."
"Gee, Yelena. I'm so glad you're home," Leif grumbled. "It's good to know Mother is doing something useful with her time."
"I thought your mother madeperfumes," Moon Man said.
"It all depends on how you look at it ~ Maria V. Snyder

Just as there are no little people or unimportant lives, there is no insignificant work. ~ Yelena Bonner

Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards - it doesn't matter what you call us. We're the ones who will do whatever it takes to stop those who believe they're entitled to wealth and power at the expense of others."
"The family business," Yelena said, smiling. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I balled my hands into tight fists to keep them from wrapping around Mr. I-Know-Everything's superior neck. ~ Maria V. Snyder

On hearing the jingle of harness behind them, they turned. Melletin and Yelena were fast catching up, both grinning broadly.

"How did it go?" Ramil called.

"Would you believe it: he threatened to lock me up in his mother's house if I didn't behave!" exclaimed Yelena, sticking her tongue out at Melletin. "I threw a roll at him and he clipped me around the ear. The soldiers were all about to beat him up when I burst into tears and begged his forgiveness. We had a passionate reconciliation and went on our way with their good wishes for our marital harmony."

Melletin rubbed his lips. "Where's the next checkpoint, Yelena? I can't wait to do that again."

"Watch it, sir: I'll report you," Yelena threatened, but she looked very pleased all the same. ~ Julia Golding

Why is she convinced Ambrose is out to get her" Leif asked
"Ambrose?" Yelena raised a slender eyebrow. She carried a tray of tea and fruit. "You're on a first name basis with the Commander now?"
"I usually call him Amby, but not in mixed company. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath in my ear sent a shiver down my spine.
"But you've slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart."
"That sounds more like a poison than a person," was all I could say. His confession had both shocked and thrilled me.
"Exactly," Valek replied. "You have poisoned me. ~ Maria V. Snyder

... Yelena? Hello?" Leif poked my arm.
"I'm here."
"What are we going to do?" Leif asked me.
"It's too late to go anywhere else. Kiki and the horses will watch the outside of the building and alert me if anyone approaches."
"Ooh, guard horses. How quaint. ~ Maria V. Snyder

As an entrepreneur and mother, I support the need to put women at the center, recognizing their crucial impact on social development and their important role of balancing family and professional responsibilities. ~ Yelena Baturina

I'd better get going or Valek will be wondering where I am."
"Yes, by all means go. I noticed you and Valek have become close. Tell him, for me, not to kill anybody, will you?" Sarcasm rendered Rand's voice sharp.
I lost control and slammed the oven door shut. It echoed in the quiet kitchen. "At least Valek has the decency to inform me when he's poisoning me, ~ Maria V. Snyder

Don't think that this conversation is over." Kat eyed the two of us.
"I'll make sure no hellion harms a hair on her head until we get the full story." Nikki smiled.
"I am never stealing fruit for the two of you ever again." I begrudgingly replied.
"Oh I really doubt that it was stolen." Nikki beamed.
"You're just as bad as Barakiel."
"I guess he's been bound to rub off on me some, but I am way prettier." She spoke as I moved past her towards the door, yanking it open. ~ Yelena Lugin

You look like hell,' he said to me in a low voice.
'Gee, Dax, don't coat it with honey. Tell me what you really think,' I said. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I wanted to dissolve into the floor, mixing myself with the hard stone. A stone had a single purpose: to be. No complicated promises, no worries and no feelings. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek's thoughts returned to Yelena. An icy finger of loneliness touched the emptiness inside him. She was in Sitia, where she needed to be to learn about her magical powers, but she had taken his heart with her. ~ Maria V. Snyder

One thing a Soviet upbringing taught you was to pay attention. ~ Yelena Akhtiorskaya

As far as threats went, Yelena couldn't be outdone. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Ghost?" I asked.
Moon Man pointed to Valek. "Kiki's name for him. It makes sense," he said, seeing the look of confusion on my face. "To magical beings, we see the world through our magic. We see him with our eyes, but cannot see him with our magic. So he is like a ghost to us."
Valek listened to Moon Man. Although expressionless, I could tell by the rigid set to Valek's shoulders that he was prepared to strike.
"Another relative?" Valek asked.
A broad smile stretched Moon Man's lips. "Yes. I am her mother's uncle's wife's third cousin. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Anything else you want to tell me?" I asked Valek as we stopped a few feet short of the castle's south entrance. "Did Ari and Janco set me up for Nix's attack? Do you have another test of loyalty for me up your sleeve? Maybe the next time, I'll actually fail. A prospect that seems appealing!" I pushed away Valek's supporting arm. "When you warned me that you would test me from time to time, I thought you meant spiking my food. But it seems there is more than one way to poison a person's heart, and it doesn't even require a meal. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek was liquid in motion. As i watched him, one word came to mind: beautiful. ~ Maria V. Snyder

It's your fault. I was defending you!" I blurted.
He paused. "In protecting my honor, you exposed months of work. I should be flattered? ~ Maria V. Snyder

I am interested in classic building development, such as hotels and residential homes, rather than commercial properties. ~ Yelena Baturina

Yelena?"
"Hmm?"
"I'd like you to stay with me while we figure out how to unblock your magic. We're stronger together."
"All right."
He laughed. "I thought I'd have more of a fight."
"I'm too tired to argue."
"Then I should take advantage of the situation."
I cracked one eye open. "And?"
"I'd like you to stay with me forever. ~ Maria V. Snyder

No." She gawked. Her arms seized me and turned me to face her. "You didn't!" She screeched, her jaw dropped. I pulled myself from her hold.

"Nothing happened." I muttered.

"Liar! I can see it all over your face!"

I groaned.

"Tell me everything!" Her eyes had lit up like this was the most exciting news she had ever heard. ~ Yelena Lugin

Janco stepped between us. "Let's see if I have this right," he said to Cahil. "Yelena beats you, so you want a rematch, but you think she'll use her magic instead of her fighting skills to win. That's quite the quandary." Janco pulled at his goatee. "Since I taught her everything she knows, and I don't have any magic, thank fate, how about you fight me? Your long sword against my bow."
" You taught her everything?" Ari asked.
Janco waved away his comment. "Details, details. I'm thinking big picture here, Ari. ~ Maria V. Snyder

I left Kiki in the yard, and fetched my pick and brushes.
She lifted her leg and I dislodged the stone then pulled the shedding blade through her copper hair. After a while, I removed my cloak. When I finished, clumps of horse hair clung to my sweaty clothes.
You're beautiful and I need a bath, I said to her. Pasture or stall?
Stall. Nap time.
And what about your snooze before I groomed you?
Pre nap. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Valek coalesced from the shadows and wrapped me in his long lean arms. I soaked in his musky smell, listening to his heart beat. Strong and steady. No indication that he had been sneaking around. ~ Maria V. Snyder

Unfortunately, diplomacy was a dance I needed to learn. ~ Maria V. Snyder