Winterkeep

They’re stronger than me. But I’m stronger then the way they’re trying to make me feel.

It’s not your fault,” he repeated firmly. “It’s your burden. But it’s not your fault. There’s a difference.

No one can do anything with politics and government," Lovisa said scornfully. "It's just two bickering sides who are exactly the same, pretending to fight about good sense and ideals when really it's all about money.

Would it be so terrible for everyone to say what they mean when they do things, and what they want, and why? Wouldn't it make things simpler, and create fewer disasters? "Lovisa," he said, "now what's going on?" "I hate everyone who's normal," she said.

How I wish I could hear those words in your voice. My own voice is wearing thin.

If I have children someday," said Lovisa, "I won't expect them to blame my parents for the wrongs I do to them. They get to blame me.

They're stronger than me. But I'm stronger than the way they're trying to make me feel.

...I am, without a doubt, not what my family hoped I would be.

He'd kept every note she'd written him, and kept his three or four favourites in the envelope in his pocket, always. And the envelope was gone. [...] "What's wrong?" said Hava, who was watching him with rising impatience. What was wrong was that Giddon was realizing, with a bright white clarity he'd never had before, that a person did not keep notes like that from a friend, carrying them around like something precious, like treasure, for no reason. It wasn't normal, it wasn't a routine thing to do, and Giddon had never wanted to be Bitterblue's confidant and counselor when she searched for a husband. He'd loved her.

Oh, it was all such a mess, the things people did to each other, and the decisions that had to be made.

This world kept wanting to be bigger than she was letting it. Why did she keep trapping herself inside small things?

Come, Selie," said her mother, holding an arm out to her child. "Come keep me company while Giddon prods at my feet." "Your faith in my abilities is touching," said Giddon. "Let me go collect some sharp sticks to stab them with.

It wasn't your fault,' the silbercow said. Maybe that was true. But Lovisa was beginning to understand that it was her legacy. 'I'm going to make up for it,' she said, not knowing what it meant, but certain, in that moment, that it was true. 'I'm going to protect you.' 'I believe you're going to try,' said the silbercow. 'I can feel the fire in your heart.

Hava," he said, "do I use you?" "Oh, urg," said Hava. "I knew this was coming." "There was something in what Trina said." "Okay then, do I use you?" said Hava. "When we're at a party and I let you do all the talking while I hide? Or let you carry everything with your big muscles? Or let you distract everyone by looking all handsome and stuffed with valour?" "How do you manage to be so insulting while giving compliments?

She began to cry, that her parents had done something to hurt this creature. I'm sorry she started saying again. I'm sorry. It wasn't your fault, the silbercow said. Maybe that was true. But Lovisa was beginning to understand that it was her legacy.

Balls!" she shouted in Lingian. Then she jumped as Lovisa's curious voice spoke behind her. "What does balls mean?" "Balls," Bitterblue replied in frustration, as if that were an explanation. Then she said the word in Keepish, but Lovisa was clearly unenlightened. "Like, balls to play a game with?" said Lovisa. "is that a swear word in Lingian?" "No!" said Bitterblue. "Like a man's scrotum!" "Oh! You call that balls?" "Yes!" "We call it kittens," said Lovisa. "Because they're so delicate." This undid Bitterblue.

It’s not true, of course,” she said in a normal voice. “What isn’t?” Bitterblue looked at the moon, motionless above her, while the ground moved under her feet. “That I’m stronger than the sea.” “Okay,” he said. “But you’re stronger than the way the sea makes you feel.

Joy was no longer a thing they needed to steal.

It was a problem with no solution. Whichever path she chose would be harder than she felt she could stand.

„The fox had seen what it was like to be a child in this house. He’d watch her learn to lie, hide, sneak, just like a fox did.

There was no way to get back onto solid ground without passing through his fear. He would think about the others, who believed he was strong enough to climb back.

I think you did something terrible, because you had to. I don’t think you’re terrible. It’s not the same thing.

Even so, what was invented can be invented again

Maybe you should decide what you want to change in in the world, instead of which party to join.

The Queen had offered to shoulder her burden, but Lovisa wanted strong shoulders of her own to carry well whatever she was given.

Are you ready for a little magic?

Have you ever visited a pig, Lovisa?" he asked. "What do you think?" said Lovisa snappishly. "When would I ever have had occasion to visit a pig?" "Exactly," he said. "This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." "What is this? Do you want me to come with you?" "Not if you're afraid of pigs." "Then you're coming?" "I didn't say that!" "I dare you," said Saiet. "I dare you to come visit this pig." "How old are you, nine?" "Nine is quite mature," he said, "for a pig." "Oh, kittens," Lovisa said, borrowing the queen's favorite expletive. Then, unable to hold it back, she laughed, a quick, exasperated breath. "What's wrong with this pig?

Do you notice there's a fox following us?" said Hava. "There is?" said Giddon. "Whose fox?" "How would I know that?" Giddon shrugged. "With whatever magical power made you notice the fox?" "You mean eyesight?

Come, Selie," said her mother, holding an arm out to the child. "Come keep me company while Giddon prods at my feet." "Your faith in my abilities is touching," said Giddon. "Let me just go collect some sharp sticks to stab them with.