Beth

“Try to look unimportant, Sarge; maybe they’ll be low on ammo.” “Too late,” Adam said with an involuntary grin. He hadn’t heard that phrase since ’Nam, when officers were favorite targets of the enemy.”
― Patricia Briggs, Silence Fallen

“Bannen,” he said with overly exaggerated patience, “do we need to talk about your pathological need to stay on women’s good sides?” “I think we just did.” Nora snorted, and for the first time that morning, didn’t look ready to behead someone with her bare hands. “He’s thoughtful, Chinna, which is how you endear yourself to women. We like it. Thank you, Bannen, I feel less inclined to kill everyone in the room now.” There was no safe response to that except, “You’re welcome. Let me know if you want another.” “See?” Chi asked the table at large. “Pathological need to make women happy. Bannen, my friend, what trauma did you experience to make you like this?” I gave him a flat look. “I’m the youngest sibling of five sisters.”
― Honor Raconteur, The Void Mage

“Chinny. My brother. Let’s clear up two points right now. First? If my wife decides that she wants to do something, I will let her do it. Why? Because I want to live. Because she will cut me down in the prime of my youth if I dare to suggest that I have control over her, and I’m not that stupid. I mean, I have stupid moments, but that? Ordering her to not do something? Grade A stupid.”
― Honor Raconteur, Remnants

“Turning, I gave Chi a confused look. “I thought you didn’t understand what they were arguing about.” “No clue,” he admitted easily, eyes crinkling up at the corners, “but after ten years of sitting through meetings like this, I have finely honed instincts. I know when to yell out information. With that, my job is done. They’ll be at this a while yet, let’s go get some hot chocolate.”
― Honor Raconteur, The Void Mage