Kinga

“Violence,' he says softly, 'did Aetos touch you after I told you about Athebyne?'

'What?' My brow furrows, and I shove an errant strand of hair out of my face as the wind swirls around us.

'Like this.' He lifts his hands to my cheek. 'His power requires touching someone's face. Did he touch you like this?'

My lips part. 'Yes, but that's how he always touches me. He would n-never...' I sputter. 'I would know if he read my memories.'

Xaden's face falls, and his hand slips downward, cradling the back of my neck. 'No, Violence. Trust me, you wouldn't.' There's no accusation in his tone, just a resignation that hurts what's left of my heart.

'He wouldn't.' I shake my head. Dain is a lot of things, but he would never violate me like that, never take something I hadn't offered. Except he tried once.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“You have to fight, Vi,' Xaden whispers against my forehead as we move. 'You can hate me all you want when you wake up. You can scream, hit, throw your fucking daggers at me for all I care, but you have to live. You can't make me fall for you and then die. None of this is worth it without you.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing

“How long do you think it takes for someone to fall out of love?” He studies the skyline. “A day? A month? I’m asking because I don’t have any experience with it.”
What the fuck? I fold my arms to keep from giving in to the impulse to jab him with the sharp point of my elbow.
“I’m asking,” he continues, his throat working as he swallows, “because I think it will take you all of a heartbeat once you know.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame