The Girl of Fire and Thorns

I know you hate me. But don't let that make you stupid.

From the mouths of the innocents flows truth.

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

The mind of God is a mystery and none can understand it.

I loved and lost and survived.

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

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.

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.

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.

He has the look of a mighty mind, whose thoughts spin hidden beneath the impassive surface.

His Majesty, may he live forever and prosper greatly... His Majesty, may sun finches warble sweet melodies in his ear... His Majesty, may orchids bloom in the wake of his passing... His Majesty, may minstrels compose epics at the sound of his glorious name... His Majesty, may his magnificent sword shatter the breasts of his enemies...

I knew someday you would realize your worth. Your worthiness.' I shake my head. 'Oh Ximena, he was right to choose me but not becuase of my worth...You, Cosme, Hector...were already willing to be heroes. But I would have done nothing, become nothing, were it not for this thing inside me. So you see, God picked me becuase I was unworthy.

I want to feel the victory of being desired by someone I once found desirable.

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.

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.

Gently, I reach forward and close her eyes with my fingertips, hoping it will make her seem merely asleep. But the stillness of sleep is nothing at all like the stillness of death.

Has not God chosen those who are pained in this world to inherit his paradise? For it is through suffering we understand our need for his righteous right hand. Indeed, our spiritual needs outweigh our physical ones. Blessed be the name of God.

You must not lose faith, child. No matter what. Do not doubt God or his choosing of you. He knows infinitely more than we can imagine.

He doesn’t love me yet, but in this place of death, in this precious moment of shared relief, he holds me.

I hadn't realized having ones life saved could be so humiliating.

Thank you for lending me the use of your maid. I tragically lost my lady-in-waiting on our journey and found Cosme's presence such a comfort.

Do not doubt God or his choosing of you. He knows infinitely more than we can imagine.

Hiding in relative comfort, I remember to be terrified.

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.

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

I just hope His Majesty, may minstrels compose epics at the sound of his glorious name, will do as you say and give this land to its people.

may sun finches warble sweet melodies in his ear,