A.C. Gaughen Quotes & Sayings

He dragged me up. "You're bruised all to hell, your hand is broken, and can you even imagine how much more pain waits for you tonight?" he asked. "Why won't you just learn? Why must you make me keep hurting you?"
"I'm not making you do anything, Gisbourne. Hurt me if you want, but I've felt pain. I know what pain is. And it's less than love, than loyalty, than hope. You can make me cry, or scream, or whatever else. All that will mean is that I feel the pain, that I'm still alive. And as long as I'm living I can promise I'm not afraid of you, Gisbourne. I'm afraid of sitting quiet while people like you and Prince John going by unchecked. That's what I'm afraid of. I'm stronger than your damn pain, and I do not give up. — A.C. Gaughen

There's a funny thing about light and darkness
like hope, you can never blot out either one completely. They always exist, side by side, bright light making shadows darker, darkness making the light more beautiful, a tempting siren call. I can't hate the dark parts of myself. They are the things that showed me how special and rare the bright flames of trust, loyalty, friendship, and love were. My darkness showed me how to love Rob. But now I choose light and fire and love. No I choose freedom. — A.C. Gaughen

I do what I do because I will always believe that no matter how awful life gets for however many of these people, there is something I can do about it. There is something I will do about it. — A.C. Gaughen

Every day we lived, and every day it felt like we had a little less to live for. — A.C. Gaughen

David punched him across the face.
Allan dropped like a sack of potatoes.
I crossed my arms. "Was that necessary?"
"I won't tolerate an insult to your person," David told me, straightening his tunic. "But no. That was more for my enjoyment."
"Well, now you have to carry him, you know," I told David.
He raised a grim eyebrow to me. "Worth it. — A.C. Gaughen

Sometimes it's harder to be bright when you feel the darkness inside you. Sometimes the very hardest thing is to let the pain go. — A.C. Gaughen

More people care about you than you know, Scarlet. No matter how you got your scars." I covered my cheek, looking at her. "Not just those scars. The ones that make you think you're unlovable. — A.C. Gaughen

Your power, your great gift, is that you never give up. When something fails you make a new plan, and another, and another. You never accept defeat. You never give up. — A.C. Gaughen

Rob came to me and I stood, his body fitting against mine so easy, my shoulder tucked under his, his hip against the curve of my waist. I looked up at him, and he ducked his head to give me a soft, gentle, easy kiss.
It were a husband's kiss, I rather thought. It weren't the first kiss, a thing of hunger and new tastes. It weren't all our sad kisses of leaving and coming back, full of desperation and scared. It were just a kiss. A kiss that felt like he'd done it before, a kiss that knew he could do it again.
Then again, it also sent lightning crackling down my back, and I remembered there were ways we weren't husband and wife just yet. I felt a blush running up my face and he stroked my cheek, kissing me again. — A.C. Gaughen

His arms went round my waist. He had a big grin, full of teeth like stars. "You saying you're the jealous sort,Scar?"
"I'm saying that some girls slap, but I have knives. — A.C. Gaughen

I know what it's like when you can't get no one to listen to you. When what you say don't matter. I half think every girl knows what it's like to be silenced. — A.C. Gaughen

Rob sidled up next to me. "You don't have to come," he told me. "We can do it."
Glaring at him, I said, "I'm coming. For Heaven's sake, I put on a dress and you lot think I'm a girl. — A.C. Gaughen

You need to think!" he snapped.
"No!" I snapped back. "You need to think. Like a thief - like a girl. Like all the people that get their power and their choices taken away from them. I won't be one of them. — A.C. Gaughen

Rob's breath were pushing over my ear, his chest puffing up underneath me. His heart were beating so close to my own that it calmed me for sheer distraction. — A.C. Gaughen

Come let's go inside. I'm sure you and your men are hungry."
"Yes," Allan said, grinning.
"Shameless," I heard David grunt.
"There is no glory in shame," Allan said back. — A.C. Gaughen

Much were bent over in laughter. I pushed him, and he rolled to the floor without my intended insult. "Come off it!" I stamped my foot.
"What's so funny?" John asked, coming over in the middle of eating an apple. He tossed me an apple and I threw it at Much. He only laughed harder. "K-k-kissed Scar!" he hooted.
"Someone kissed you?" John asked, turning to me. He didn't look like it were too funny. "Who is he?"
This made Much laugh more.
"None of your business, John Little," I told him.
He stepped closer to me with a flat face that, if I could ape it, I'd never be kissed by a stupid girl when I didn't want to be. "Who, Scar?"
"Jenny Percy!" Much roared.
John's face broke open, like a smile could split a black
mood. "Wait till Rob hears this. — A.C. Gaughen

Don't let a few silly truths muddle up a good story. — A.C. Gaughen

Honor, obey?" Gisbourne shouted, grappling with John. "This is what you call being a good wife?"
I stopped. "I never said I'd be a good wife, Guy. Just that I'd marry you. — A.C. Gaughen

It seems a precious thing, for someone to know the very worst part of you and love you anyway. — A.C. Gaughen

I left little packages in front of the doors; the people looked for them in the morning, and I knew, in some bit of a way, it bucked them up.
I did as much as I could, but it weren't like I could get everyone something every night. That seemed like the cruelest part. I tried not to think 'bout the people that woke up and rushed to the door and didn't find nothing; it made my chest hurt. — A.C. Gaughen

He put his hand to my cheek, just touching the fingertips to my skin before pulling away. You are. — A.C. Gaughen

He taught me so much about strength and power. That the man who is truly powerful has the option to forgive, to pardon, to forgo vengeance and violence. It's the weak man that must prove himself such. — A.C. Gaughen

This is the hope, not horror — A.C. Gaughen

I picked up the mop and started washing again as Rob struggled to his feet, red faced. John laughed, and Much covered a smile.
"You lot think this is funny?" I asked. "I'll unman you too if you wish it."
They jumped back, and Rob grunted. "You haven't unmanned me, and I resent the implication of it."
"It were a warning blow," I told him, shoving the mop 'cross the floor. "Next time I'll try harder. — A.C. Gaughen

You are my whole heart, Scarlet. And this is breaking it.'
My heart cracked open and clear dropped out of me. My mouth opened, and I looked round me and stamped my foot. 'Does this look like a good time to tell me that, you damn stupid boy?' I meant to sound mean but my voice wobbled. 'Now?'
He gave a little smile. 'My foul-mouthed warrior. — A.C. Gaughen

We do what we do because there's something we can do about it. Things like 'how long' and 'what if' aren't part of that. It's about the hope, not the horror. — A.C. Gaughen

I wouldn't fix a broken thing only to see it shatter before my eyes a moment later. — A.C. Gaughen

We were supposed to have time. We'd paid dear, in blood and promises that took my soul with them. It was all supposed to have meant something. — A.C. Gaughen

Never would I have a man saying what or who were best for me, and that were all there were to it. — A.C. Gaughen

Small men will always hurt things that are weaker than them. — A.C. Gaughen

I know what it is to look at your past, and see nothing more than your mistakes — A.C. Gaughen

Rob looked a little shocked. "Don't you look at me like that," I snapped at him. "Just because I can't trim a beard don't mean I can't swear."
"Like a sailor," he added. "I've never heard so many curses in my whole life. All combined. — A.C. Gaughen

We shoulder it so these people don't have to know it too. And I know this because that's what you say. And when you say it, I believe you. And when I believe you, I'll follow you anywhere. — A.C. Gaughen

I will always return to him. I can deny it all I like," I told her in a whisper, "but when someone holds your heart, its impossible to stay away. — A.C. Gaughen

Our love filled the broken bits and made me whole again. There weren't a perfect time to love him, not ever, and it had always been with the threat of death and hurt hovering round us. And we'd love each other anyway. Sure, and true. — A.C. Gaughen

John laughed. "You know, I've heard all the sayings about the wrath of women, but whew, Scar, you have a temper."
The others chuckled.
"Keep it in mind, John Little," I warned him. I didn't feel much like chuckling.
He laughed. "I'll be sure to inform Jenny Percy," he said.
I rolled my eyes, but this time I heard a small laugh come from Rob's distant corner. "So she really kissed
Scar?"
"Should have seen it, Rob! Scar's right in the middle of giving her a talking-to, and Jenny lays one on her," Much
crowed.
"So that's how we shut her up," John said.
I knew he were fair close to me so I tried to kick him. It took a few attempts, but one finally hit something and I heard him whine, "Ow, Scar!"
"And none of you jumped in to defend - her - her honor?" Rob asked, but it got broken up with laughs.
"The lot of you are stupid blighters," I snapped. "It ain't for laughing."
This made them crack apart with howls. — A.C. Gaughen

You have to stay safe, Scar. Maybe it's your bits in a dress and maybe it's just you, but I'm awful fond of something in there. So don't get killed. — A.C. Gaughen

The joy is is in the written word — A.C. Gaughen

Talking one way or another doesn't make you better — A.C. Gaughen

When shall we break into the jail, then?" John asked.
"Midnight. The guard changes then, and you'll fair certain look less conspicuous in that crowd."
"So you think I look like a guard? I'll take that nicely." He took a drink of his beer, his eyes shining at me over the brim.
I flicked my eyes over him. "Brutish and stupid? Yes, you look quite like a guard. — A.C. Gaughen

There are poor men out there. And rich ones. Rich men never wait for nothing, so why would they be good? Good men are poor, because they have to count on others' kindnesses. — A.C. Gaughen

Stories are told to make you feel something, and they can tell ours over and over again, and every time it will be something different. — A.C. Gaughen

You traitorous bitch!" he yelled. "You goddamn liar!"
I laughed. "You knew I were a bitch and a liar when you married me, Guy. It's your own damn fault for agreeing to it. — A.C. Gaughen

I think life becomes a fabric of choices, interwoven, all related ... I split my life into these two things, thief and lady — A.C. Gaughen

Of a band with three actual boys, why is it that all the maids lust after the fake one? — A.C. Gaughen

Ireland?" he said. "I'm from Ireland! Why do you think I came here?" he said. "Nothing good in Ireland." He frowned. "Except the ale. The ale is fine. — A.C. Gaughen

To me, true love is about finding someone who not only sees and accepts your demons but also is willing to step up and fight them when you stumble. — A.C. Gaughen

A knight," Allan muttered. "As if I would ever be a knight. I'm far too handsome to be a knight. — A.C. Gaughen

I wouldn't never bathe with him or pass water when he were near. He got suspicious quick. Seems real boys are awfully eager to parade their bits around. — A.C. Gaughen

Not only is a book without conflict something no one wants to read, but a life without conflict is something where nothing is gained, nothing is earned, nothing is won. — A.C. Gaughen

Ain't got so much moral ground to stand on. — A.C. Gaughen

I've heard this is what you do,' he said. 'Stealing to feed people.' His head went to the side. 'It's so ... strange. — A.C. Gaughen

Allan sighed, lying down in the grass. "Fine. I'm too pretty for all this serious business."
"I can make you a little uglier, if you wish," David said.
Allan lifted his head. "So you agree -- I'm pretty." he said smiling. — A.C. Gaughen

You see the world as fixed and finite, and it is not. It is liquid and ever moving, and one act can change everything. — A.C. Gaughen

You used to be afraid to get so close to me," I told him, and he met my eyes. "That was a good instinct. — A.C. Gaughen

He takes the guilt and responsibility that others can't. John takes the punches. I just take the hunger, and most times it feels like awful little. — A.C. Gaughen

Because we always have a choice, even when it feels like we don't. — A.C. Gaughen

I'll keep your heart, Scar," he whispered. "If you keep mine. — A.C. Gaughen

A knife? A knife? You come at me with a knife? ... I may be a bastard, a princess, a thief, and a royal. But do you know what the other thing is that makes me more powerful than you?" I said. He curled his lip at me. I held up the knife. "With a knife in my hand, I'm unbeatable. — A.C. Gaughen

Christ on a cobnut!" he yelped, ducking behind the horse. "Lady thief, stop this madness!"
"Allan?" I cried, stopping. "What in God's name is going on?"
He peered around the horse. "Good Lord, you're even scary when you're dead."
"I'm not dead!" I shouted.
"Well, I didn't know that before!" Allan shouted back. — A.C. Gaughen

A fighting man will die without something to fight for."
"And a woman?" I asked her.
She drew in a slow breath. "Everyone needs something - someone - to fight for, Marian. — A.C. Gaughen

I won't go with you," Allan told me.
I scowled. "No one asked you to come."
He looked offended in a rather dire way. "Who will entertain you? — A.C. Gaughen