Zoya Quotes

Many people aren't aware of the teachings of Elijah Muhammad who taught some of our most significant conscious, black thinkers of our times. "He ~ Zoya

If this stains my teeth orange - " said Zoya.
"It will," interrupted Genya, "but I promise to put your teeth back whiter than they were before. I may even fix those weird incisors of yours."
"There is nothing wrong with my teeth."
"Not at all," said Genya soothingly. "You're the prettiest walrus I know. I'm just amazed you haven't sawed through your lower lip."
"Keep your hands off me, Tailor," Zoya grumbled, "or I'll poke your other eye out. ~ Leigh Bardugo

It occurs to me that even though Zoya and I are both still alive, my life is already over. She will be taken from me soon and there will be no reason for me to continue without her. We are one person, you see. We are GeorgyandZoya. ~ John Boyne

Inej nodded. "I gave your letter to the guard at the door, and it did the trick. They brought me directly to two members of the Triumvirate."
"Who did you meet with?" said Kaz.
"Genya Safin and Zoya Nazyalensky."
Wylan sat forward. "The Tailor? She's at the embassy?"
Kaz raised a brow. "What an interesting fact to forget to mention, Nina."
"It wasn't relevant at the time."
"Of course it's relevant!" Wylan said angrily.
Jesper was a little surprised. Wylan hadn't seemed to mind wearing Kuwei's features at first. He'd almost seemed to welcome the distance it gave him from his father. But that had been before they'd gone to Saint Hilde. And before Jesper had kissed Kuwei. ~ Leigh Bardugo

If there was one thing Zoya had learned in life, it was that men always walked away from their responsibilities. ~ Ted Cross

Zoya placed her hands on her hips. "Is anyone going to thank me - or Genya, for that matter - for this little miracle?"
"Thank you for nearly killing and then reviving the most valuable hostage in the world so you could use him for your own gain," Kaz said. "Now you need to go. The streets are almost empty, and you need to get to the manufacturing district."
Zoya's beautiful blue eyes slitted. "Show your face in Ravka, Brekker. We'll teach you some manners."
"I'll keep that in mind. When they burn me on the Reaper's Barge, I definitely want to be remembered as polite. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Huh," Zoya said to Adrik. "I'm impressed." At the elation that burst over his face, she groaned. "Never mind. I'm downgrading that to grudging approval. ~ Leigh Bardugo

He would not beg Zoya to stay. It was not in his nature to plead with anyone, and that was not the pact they shared. They did not look to each other for comfort. They kept each other marching. They kept each other strong. So he would not find another excuse to get her talking again. He would not tell her he was afraid to be left alone with the thing he might become, and he would not ask her to leave the lamp burning, a child's bit of magic to ward off the dark.
But he was relieved when she did it anyway. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Yeah, a real nigga studies his woman. I ~ Zoya

You're the boy Nina tailored to look like Kuwei," Genya said. "And you want me to try to undo her work?"
"Yes," Wylan said, that one word imbued with a whole world of hope. "But I don't have anything to bargain with."
Genya rolled her single amber eye. "Why are the Kerch so focused on money?"
"Says the woman with a bankrupt country," murmured Jesper.
"What was that?" snapped Zoya.
"Nothing," said Jesper. "Just saying Kerch is a morally bankrupt country."
Zoya looked him up and down as if she was considering tossing him into a pool and boiling him alive. "If you want to waste your time and talent on these wretches, feel free. Saints know there's room for improvement."
"Zoya - "
"I'm going to go find a dark room with a deep pool and try to wash some of this country off. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Peaceful in the knowledge that a long and happy relationship negates the need for constant chatter. Zoya and I had long perfected the art of sitting silently in each other's company for hours on end, while never running out of things to say. ~ John Boyne

Maybe you're hungry," said Zoya. "I always get mean when I'm hungry. ~ Leigh Bardugo

It was my mother who bought me green ink for the first time, along with the fountain pen she gave me as a gift to mark my graduation from high school.
When I asked 'Why green?' she laughed and shrugged. 'I don't know, maybe just because it's different from black and blue.'
My father smirked. 'It's different from black and blue!' Madam insists that all of her things be different from those of other people.'
My mother looked at him for a few moments and then turned to me. Nowadays she had to look up at me to meet my eyes, and I had to lean down to kiss her. She said, 'Write something, see if you like it.'
On the corner of the Alik newspaper that was delivered to our house in the afternoon for my father, I wrote, 'Green ink is different from all other inks. I like people and things that are different. ~ Zoya Pirzad

An interesting observation. I must admit I'm a little surprised, though. No girl's ever complained about it before. You're the first..."

"I didn't mean your muscle tone, Narcissus. I mean that... thing. I didn't know you were in the habit of decorating your body with portraits of your victims. It totally reminds me of the cockroach you so theatrically banished from this life. ~ Zoya Tessi

My king lies bleeding. I am his subject and his soldier, and I come to fight for him. ~ Leigh Bardugo

If this stains my teeth orange - "
"It will, but I promise to put your teeth back whiter than they were before. I may even fix those weird incisors of yours."
"There is nothing wrong with my teeth."
"Not at all. You're the prettiest walrus I know. I'm just amazed you haven't sawed through your lower lip. ~ Leigh Bardugo

We told the Grisha to come alone," said Kaz.
"I'm afraid that wasn't possible," said the man. "Though Zoya is, of course, a force to be reckoned with, Genya's extraordinary gifts are ill-suited to physical confrontation. I, on the other hand, am well suited to all forms of confrontation, though I'm particularly fond of the physical."
Kaz's eyes narrowed. "Sturmhond."
"He knows me!" Sturmhond said delightedly. He nudged Genya with an elbow. "I told you I'm famous."
Zoya blew out an exasperated breath. "Thank you. He's going to be twice as insufferable now. ~ Leigh Bardugo

What's wrong with her?" Alex drawled, pointing the top of the carton at Beth and bringing me back to reality.

"I don't think she expected to see a tattooed monster jumping out of our fridge. ~ Zoya Tessi

Zoya pulled the fitted sheet off the bed and began tying it with the others. While she worked, she said, "No offense, Mr. Wonderful, but that's only a problem for you and Fitzroy. I don't even know the guy. ~ Mark Greaney

I know the pain is bad," said Elizaveta as she drifted through the thicket. "But the thorns will keep you from forcing the darkness to recede. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Zoya stared up at Nina in wonder. "You're alive," she said. Her gaze slid to Matthias, thrashing like the biggest, angriest butterfly ever pinned to a page. "And you've made a new friend. ~ Leigh Bardugo

That first winter, when it was time for her friends to leave, the girl ventured out into the show to say goodbye, and the stunning raven-haired Squaller handed her another gift.
"A blue kefta," said the math teacher, shaking her head. "What would she do with that?"
"Maybe she knew a Grisha who died," replied the cook, taking note of the tears that filled the girl's eyes. They did not see the note that read, You will always be one of us. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Stop punishing yourself for being someone with a heart. You cannot protect yourself from suffering. To live is to grieve. You are not protecting yourself by shutting yourself off from the world. You are limiting yourself. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Toss his over," Zoya said. "Break his heart cruelly. I will gladly give our poor prince comfort, and I would make a magnificent queen."
I laughed. "You actually might, Zoya. If you could stop being horrible for a minute."
"With that kind of incentive, I can manage a minute. Possibly two. ~ Leigh Bardugo

You are strong enough to survive the fall ~ Leigh Bardugo

I'm going to steal another kiss."
A wave of heat crashed over me and I replied, "Good." Valentin went to move in when I stopped him with a hand on his chest.
He immediately stilled and frowned. "Zoya?" he questioned.
Swallowing back any nerves trying to creep into my heart, I said, "I want this with you." Lifting my head to move into his personal space, I added, "I want you, Valentin, to steal the rest of me. ~ Tillie Cole

They all watched as Genya checked his pulse, his breathing. She shook her head.

"Zoya," said Sturmhond. His voice had the ring of command.

Zoya sighed and pushed up her sleeves. "Unbutton his shirt."

"What are you doing?" Kaz asked as Genya undid Kuwei's remaining buttons. His chest was narrow, his ribs visible, all of it spattered with the pig's blood they'd encased in the wax bladder.

"I'm either going to wake up his heart or cook him from the inside out," said Zoya. "Stand back."

They did their best to obey in the cramped space. "What exactly does she mean by that?" Kaz asked Nina.

"I'm not sure," Nina admitted. Zoya had her hands out and her eyes closed. The air felt suddenly cool and moist.

Inej inhaled deeply. "It smells like a storm."

Zoya opened her eyes and brought her hands together as if in prayer, rubbing her palms against each other briskly.

Nina felt the pressure drop, tasted metal on her tongue. "I think … I think she's summoning lightning."

"Is that safe?" asked Inej.

"Not remotely," said Sturmhond.

"Has she at least done it before?" said Kaz.

"For this purpose?" asked Sturmhond. "I've seen her do it twice. It worked splendidly. Once." His voice was oddly familiar, and Nina had the sense they'd met before.

"Ready?" Zoya asked.

Genya shoved a thickly folded piece of fabric between Kuwei's teeth and ~ Leigh Bardugo

Most women suffer thorns for the sake of the flowers, but we who wield power adorn ourselves with flowers to hide the sting of our thorns ~ Leigh Bardugo

All right," said Kaz. "Let's talk in the solarium. I'd prefer not to sweat through my suit." When the rest of them made to follow, Kaz halted and glanced over his shoulder. "Just me and the privateer."
Zoya tossed her glorious black mane and said, "We are the Triumvirate. We do not take orders from Kerch street rats with dubious haircuts."
"I can phrase it as a question if it will make your feathers lie flat," Kaz said.
"You insolent - "
"Zoya," said Sturmhond smoothly. "Let's not antagonize our new friends before they've even had a chance to cheat us. Lead on, Mister Brekker. ~ Leigh Bardugo

I think fatigue suits you, Zoya. The pallor. The shadows beneath your eyes. You look like a heroine in a novel. "
"I look like a woman about to step on your foot. "
"Now, now. You're managing remarkably well. And the smiling hasn't killed you yet."
"Yet. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Buddha wasn't the man everybody made him out to be. He wasn't the type of man who poured out the belief of there's no one higher than him. He just wanted to teach his people the importance of knowledge. Kind of like Elijah Muhammad. ~ Zoya

We are the Triumvirate. We do not take orders from Kerch street rats with dubious haircuts. ~ Leigh Bardugo

If he gets any more charming, men and women may start laying down in the street for the privilege of being stepped on by the new Ravkan King. However did you resist him?"
"Good question," Mal murmured from beside me.
"Turns out I don't care for emeralds," I said.
Zoya rolled her eyes. "Or royal blood, blinding charisma, tremendous wealth
"
"You can stop now," said Mal. ~ Leigh Bardugo

When you truly love another person, you're fragile. Not in the sense that someone's words or actions hurt you, because you can be true to yourself even when you're feeling hurt. When you really love someone, you're willing to lose everything that makes you who you are, and you'd do it in the blink of an eye. And even if it's all in vain, there's nothing in it you'd regret. ~ Zoya Tessi

You going to wear black for that funeral?" he asked, looking down at the continent-sized bruise on my arm.
"What are you talking about? Whose funeral?"
"That of your soon-to-be-deceased ex."
"What!? Are you crazy?" I squeaked.
"Well, I suppose black isn't your color of choice, but people will talk if you go there dressed in shocking pink, you know... ~ Zoya Tessi

I hope you're all enjoying yourselves."
Tamar hooked a scarf over Nadia's neck and drew her in for a kiss.
"Oh, for Saints' sake," complained Zoya. "Is everyone pairing up now?"
Genya snickered. "Take heart. I've seen Stigg casting mournful glances your way."
"He's Fjerdan," Zoya said. "That's the only kind of glance he has. And I can arrange my own assignations, thank you very much. ~ Leigh Bardugo

It was moments like this that made me realize that love was just a feeling in which we all felt the need to desire, but if it wasn't reciprocated was it still love then? When it's so toxic but you hold on still, was it an addiction ~ Zoya

Listen twice, but only think once. "I ~ Zoya

Has she at least done it before?" said Kaz. "For this purpose?" asked Sturmhond. "I've seen her do it twice. It worked splendidly. Once". ~ Leigh Bardugo

Is that all?' said Zoya. 'Will you be taking up juggling as well?'
'Don't be ridiculous,' Nikolai replied. 'I already know how to juggle. Literally and figuratively. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Listen twice. Think Once. If a muthafucka shows you their flaw, believe 'em. That goes for family, too." Promise's ~ Zoya

I miss knowing what happens next. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Don't you think it's time to earn some of the money Nikolai pays you?" I asked quietly, careful not to let Beth overhear.

"On the contrary, Princess. I don't think Nikolai pays me enough. Spending all my days in your sweet company qualifies me for special, early retirement. ~ Zoya Tessi

Sorry," I mumbled.
"Maybe you're hungry," said Zoya. "I always get mean when I'm hungry."
"Are you hungry all the time?" asked Harshaw.
"You haven't seen me mean. When you do, you'll require a very big hanky."
He snorted. "To dry my tears?"
"To stanch the bleeding. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Say something spiteful."
"Why?" she asked faintly.
"Because I'm fairly certain I'm hallucinating and in my dreams you're much nicer."
"You're an idiot, Nikolai. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Come back home with me, Princess."
"Why?"
"I bought new glasess. And plates. There's nobody there to throw them at me. ~ Zoya Tessi

Genya stepped back, brushing the blonde strands of Nina's wig from her face to get a better look at her. "Nina, how is this possible? The last time Zoya saw you - "

"You were throwing a tantrum," said Zoya, "stomping away from camp with all the caution of a wayward moose."

To Matthias' surprise, Nina actually winced like a child taking a scolding. He didn't think he'd ever seen her embarrassed before.

"We thought you were dead," Genya said.

"She looks half-dead."

"She looks fine."

"You vanished," Zoya spat. "When we heard there were Fjerdans nearby, we feared the worst."

"The worst happened," Nina said. "And then it happened some more." She took Matthias' hand. "But we're here now."

Zoya glared at their clasped hands and crossed her arms. "I see."

Genya raised an auburn brow. "Well, ifhe's the worst that can happen - ~ Leigh Bardugo

Zoya picked up a kefta hanging over the back of my chair. It was gold brocade, the sleeves and hem embroidered lavishly in blue, the cuffs marked with jeweled sunbursts. "Sable," she said to me, stroking the lining. "I have never loathed you more. ~ Leigh Bardugo

I'm fairly sure you're trying to frighten me," said Nikolai, reaching out a finger to touch the tip of the thorn. "I'm not sure why, but may I suggest a spider wearing a suit?"

"Why a suit?" asked Zoya, frowning. "Why not just a spider?"

"Where did he get the suit? How did he fasten the buttons? Why does he feel the need to dress for the occasion? ~ Leigh Bardugo

The Panthays were a group of Chinese Muslims ~ Zoya

Abruptly, Adrik snarled, 'I'm glad Sergei's dead. I'm just sorry I didn't get to wring his neck myself.'
'You'd need two hands for that,' said Zoya.
There was a brief, terrible silence, then Adrik scowled and said, 'Okay, stab him. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Sturmhond back into the corridors. As their footfalls faded, silence descended. Wylan cleared his throat and the sound bounced around the blue-tiled room like a spring colt let loose in a corral. Genya's face was bemused. Zoya crossed her arms.
"Well?" "Ma'am …" Wylan attempted. "Miss Genya - "
Genya smiled, her scars tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Oh, he is sweet."
"You always take to the strays," said Zoya sourly. ~ Leigh Bardugo

Zoya and I gaped at him. Then she scowled. "You know, if you turned a bit of that poetry on me, I might consider giving you a change."
"Who says I want one?"
"I want one!" called Harshaw.
Zoya blew a damp curl from her forehead. "Oncat as a better chance than you."
Harshaw held the little tabby above him. "Why, Oncat," he said. "You rogue. ~ Leigh Bardugo

I appreciated Aaliyah's artistry. We'll never have another like her. ~ Zoya