The Crown's Game

Imagine, and it shall be. There are no limits.⁠⁠⁠⁠

She wanted again to hold on to him, and have him hold on to her, so they could whirl together through the cosmos like galaxies that could not—and would not—be confined.

As for whether the magic in The Crown’s Game is real, well . . . that depends. Do you believe in what you cannot see?

She was a diamond in a quarry full of quartz.

A smile bloomed across Vika's face. "A little peril has never stopped me.

He smiled sadly. "I was lost from the moment I saw you on Ovchinin Island. It took a long while for me to realize it, but it's true. I've spent my entire life scrambling to fit in and to change myself, Vika, but where I've belonged, and who I needed to be, has been right here the whole time. I love you.

She clucked her tongue at Sergei. "Father, you could have killed me." "You know I would never do that. If I did, who would fetch my bread from the bakery every morning?

I don't regret loving you, Nikolai

Unless a convention of anarchists visited the library yesterday, most books ought to be in their rightful places.

Be careful. . . .” And then she let go. For even she knew there was only so much one could do to protect a winter moth drawn to an icy flame.

The Game will begin soon. You can feel it, can’t you?” Can I? Nikolai stuck out his tongue, as if he could taste the difference in the air. And in fact, he could. It was like . . . cinnamon. With a dash of death. Nikolai’s

If I think highly of myself, it’s because it’s well deserved.

His laugh echoed through the entire room. He didn’t sound cruel, but then again, the worst kinds of cruelty come in the guise of kindness.

She shook her head. “I’m not.” She took the tray of dirty dishes and strode to the door. “I don’t regret loving you, Nikolai. It’s always been in my leaves, and I wouldn’t trade it for another cup.

She couldn’t find the correct words—which was, in itself, a miracle, for Vika was rarely without something to say—

Vika smiled. Her magic was not alone. The shadow was undeniably Nikolai page 399

he crumpled in a heap At least i die with her in my arms page 392

I’m going to invite the lightning girl.

In order to create one thing, you had to sacrifice another" -Pasha

The Tsar tumbled out of the carriage, and death swung his scythe. It took the Tsar's life just as he made it in the Tsarina's arms. Death took the Tsarina soon afterword page 351

the walls he'd erected around his heart crumbled a little. page 269

my two left feet will be revealed." "not while I am here.." Nikolai waved his hand over her heeled boats, and she floated imperceptibly off the ground. "do you trust me?" page 224

The gleam in her eyes was one part gloat and ninety-nine parts mischief page 124

He was a poisonous autumn crocus: deadly beautiful with no antidote. She wanted the flower anyway.