Elizabeth May Quotes & Sayings

Kiaran left a mark on me. It's not physical, not like Lonnrach's. It's as if when my memories were emptied, my mind filled with pieces of Kiaran, feelings that kept me sane in the mirrored room. He did it without realizing and I let him without realizing. God, how I wish I hadn't. — Elizabeth May

Aithinne smiles. "You know," she says thoughtfully, "your hair rather looks like an octopus." Then, as if to reassure me: "I love octopi."

And Aithinne is obviously a bit barmy, but nobody's perfect. — Elizabeth May

Damnation, Kam." Kiaran jerks me back up when I start to fall forward. I'm not sure I can walk. "You're bleeding all over the place."

My voice comes out in a croak. "I'm not happy about it either. — Elizabeth May

I'm so enraptured that I don't even notice Aithinne has stopped until Kiaran rounds his horse close enough to tap my arm. I slow. "What is it?"

Aithinne shakes her head once. "I sense something."

"I don't," Kiaran says.

His sister glances at him. "Of course you don't, you silly thing. You wouldn't if it were right up your arse."

I snicker, and at Kiaran's glare, I say, "You're the one who taught her to swear, not me. — Elizabeth May

It was all battles, fights and court. Humans are far more exciting. You have colourful swearwords and cake-- - Aithinne — Elizabeth May

I hold a vision of this blue green planet, safe and in balance. At the end of the Fossil Fuel Era, we are emerging to a new reality. We are ready to make the next leap - as momentous as abolishing slavery or giving women the vote. — Elizabeth May

One day, you'll tell people the story of the faery king and the human girl. And how he watched from afar as she lived out twenty thousand human days. And if she listened closely during winter, when the wind was cold and the nights were longest, she could hear him whisper that he cherished her so much he was willing to give her the world. — Elizabeth May

Aithinne grins. "One day I pray I'll meet a woman who engages me in combat as a way to say, I love you. Be still me heart."
... "A woman, you say?"
Her laugh is short. "Did you think Kadamach was the only one whose weakness was ladies in armor? If you weren't his, I'd ask you to be mine. — Elizabeth May

Strengths: Extremely fast flyers; adept with small, sharp weaponry.

(STILL VERY GOOD WITH THE LADIES.)

Weaknesses: Honey, torn ballgowns.

(and closets)

(AND A CERTAIN HUMAN COMPANION BUT NOW I'M GETTING TOO SENTIMENTAL AND THERE'S SOMETHING IN MY EYE.)

Well. Now I have something in my eye, too. — Elizabeth May

When Dante described the circles of Hell, he clearly forgot the one where a hungry pixie sits on one's shoulder for eternity. — Elizabeth May

I've changed my mind. Stop inadequately playing human," I say. "Drop her hand and step away. Take a very big step. — Elizabeth May

Amateurs built the ark. Professionals built he Titanic. — Elizabeth May

Rain falls steadily outside and dampens my leg. I shiver at the cold night air and the breeze on my bare arms. I'm about to drop down into the space between the bushes and the wall when a hand closes around my wrist.

It's Gavin, and he looks furious. 'You intend to go out there?' he asks. 'And you can't even see them, can you?'

I try to pull myself from his grip, but he only tightens his hold. 'I never said I could.'

'You implied it.'

'I'm un-implying it now.' I grin. 'I have other means.'

Gavin studies me intently. 'Did you choose this?'

Leaning in close, I press my cheek against his, a touch that goes against every social rule I've ever been taught. It's the excitement of the hunt that courses through me, a savage hum. I'm beyond propriety, beyond etiquette.

'I revel in it. — Elizabeth May

You did not just compare me to a cow."
"No, no. I compared your expression to one. Cows truly are majestic creatures, aren't they? - Aithinne — Elizabeth May

I have to remove your . . . whatever this is.'

'Nightdress,' I say, my cheek against the pillow. 'It's from Paris. You've been alive how long and still can't identify a woman's clothing? — Elizabeth May

He's in my heart and I'm in his. And I think it's going to destroy us both. — Elizabeth May

But just as the orchestra begins to play, an odd taste sweeps across my tongue from front to back. Like a volatile mixture of sulfur and ammonia, hot and burning as it trickles down the inside of my throat. A vile swear almost escapes my lips. There's a faery here. — Elizabeth May

What the hell is wrong with your pixie? - Gavin — Elizabeth May

Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. The power of one is to move many. — Elizabeth May

If they had built the Energy East pipeline to transport beer, we'd be okay. — Elizabeth May

You were right, you know. Ours is a talent wasted on the useless. - Gavin, to Kiaran — Elizabeth May

You thought you'd never see me again. You loooove me and you miiiissed me. You--Holy hell. Are those tears? Are you crying?"

"I just have something in my eye."

"You're right. No tears here, either. Definitely the rain. It's really wet out here. — Elizabeth May

You look so much like her. - Aileana's father — Elizabeth May

The daughter of a marquess does not charge out of a ballroom. The daughter of a marquess does not abandon her partner in the middle of a dance.
The daughter of a marquess does not hunt faeries.
- The Falconer — Elizabeth May

Is Stephen Harper using the imagined fear of widespread security threats to score political points before the next election? — Elizabeth May

A patchwork solution of provincial targets is an admission of defeat and a statement that we have failed our children and grandchildren. — Elizabeth May

If you have never taken the train across Canada, you really should put it on your life list ... Meanwhile, I get to sit back and watch for moose from the dome car as we roll through the lake-dotted vastness of the boreal forest. — Elizabeth May

Why don't you try?"

I pull away, startled. "Me?"

"No, the other redhead wearing a dress big enough to hide a herd of cattle." He reaches for my hand and grasps a finger to pull it back, but I resist. "Come on. This is not the time to be a coward. Don't you want to see what you're capable of?"

"Well, of course I do - "

"Then try." Derrick offers me an encouraging smile. "You just breathe it out like air. It's not difficult." He waves a hand at me. "Now close your eyes."

I arch a brow and sigh. "Really?"

He glares. "If you don't close your eyes I'll change that dress so quickly you'll look like a furry citrus fruit before you can even call me a bastard. — Elizabeth May

I'm going to let my friends in the other parties fight over the turf at the cutting edge of the status quo. — Elizabeth May

You take care of my bairn."

He blinks. "I beg your pardon?"

"My ornithopter. — Elizabeth May

As human rights throughout the world continue to be abused, Raoul Wallenberg stands as a courageous example that should inspire us all, — Elizabeth May

Lady Cassilis's jaw drops. "I beg your pardon?"
"Was I not clear? Get. The hell. Out. Of my home. — Elizabeth May

Derrick... Have you ever heard of a Falconer?"
...
"Wherever did you hear that? — Elizabeth May

We have to do what we have to do. Miracles happen. The life force of this planet is very strong. Dandelions poke through sidewalks. We don't know enough to give up. We only know enough to know that we have to try to change the course of human events. — Elizabeth May

I admit to being somewhat unclear on the function of human tears," she says. "So we're sad about this? Should I menace someone? — Elizabeth May

Perfect." I open the ornithopter door. "We've rendered Dona mostly blind and partially disguised her as an old woman for the sake of a bloody walk in a public park. — Elizabeth May

It's so quiet out here, only ocean waves crashing around us. It's these moments when I realise that my time with Kiaran is such a fragile thing. At any moment, my human life could end and he'd still be as unchanging as the sea. — Elizabeth May

I promised Gavin I'd be down a half hour ago." I lean toward him and whisper. "Come get me in fifteen minutes just in case I need to be saved."

"From whom?" Derrick flicks his wings. "Don't tell me you're already fighting with Kiaran after you and he had - "

"For god's sake." I glare at him. "Not Kiaran. Daniel. Or possibly Catherine. I still haven't told her we're leaving yet."

Derrick sputters a laugh. "You haven't . . . ? Oh, I can't wait to see that."

I glare at him. "Fifteen minutes."

"Thirty. I plan to eat everything on the food tables."

"You can eat them in ten. I'll give you twenty-five, just in case you need to go outside and vomit it all up."

He looks satisfied with that. "Deal. — Elizabeth May

I'm immortal. You consider the future because one day you'll die. I don't have that uncertainty." - Kiaran — Elizabeth May

There are two exits out of this room. Choose one."
Derrick chuckles. "What a glorious comeuppance. — Elizabeth May

What does that make me, when a faery is capable of more humanity than I am? — Elizabeth May

There is not enough tea in the world to calm me. — Elizabeth May

He loved you so much that when you died, he might as well have died with you. — Elizabeth May

I will never shrink from speaking truth to power, — Elizabeth May

What did you do?' I whisper to Aithinne. Aithinne pushes to her feet, dusting off her clothes.'I redirected its blast away from us so it used its weapon on itself. ' She scans the destruction.'Easy.' 'Ah, yes,' I murmur, trying to quell the emotions that rush through me at seeing my childhood home destroyed. 'Simple's sibling, Easy. I don't even want to imagine the levels of chaos that would prompt visits from their cousins Straightforward and Uncomplicated. — Elizabeth May

I make my way to the cave and notice a silhouette at the lip of the cavern. Kiaran. "Let me guess," I say, drawing nearer, "your sister told you where to find me."

His smile isn't visible in the darkness, but I can hear it when he speaks. "On the contrary," he says. "She told me I looked like I needed fresh air. It wasn't until I saw you that I realized she decided to engage in her second-favorite hobby."

"Subterfuge?"

"I was going to say meddling, but you're not wrong. — Elizabeth May

Forgiveness isn't something given... It's something earned. What could I do to earn it, Aileana? Nothing. - Sorcha — Elizabeth May

It's all right if you smell bad," Derrick says serenely. "You're still my favorite. — Elizabeth May

I feel. I feel. Strong and untouchable and capable. An exquisite glow of joy fills me up and extinguishes my anger. For this instant, I am whole again. I am not broken or empty. The shadow-self inside me that compels me to kill is silent. I am unburdened. I am complete. — Elizabeth May

You're back! You're alive!... Such a magnificent murderous glare you have... I love it. Teach me. - Aithinne — Elizabeth May

Hullo!" she says to both of us serenely. "We're here to rescue your friends, and all their limbs." A pause, then: "Well, no. I can't promise all their limbs, but most, surely . . ."

"What my sister is trying to say," Kiaran interrupts, "is that we'll bring them back alive. Mostly in one piece." I love the way he looks at me then, with expectation, a hint of a smile. God, I missed this. — Elizabeth May

She didn't get this pish from you, did she? Because I'm still looking for a reason to lop off one of your appendages after what you did to her, and this looks like the perfect excuse."

"For god's sake," I mutter.

Gavin backs up with his hands raised. "Don't blame me. I might have presented the idea, but she's the one who sauntered off with it."

Derrick narrows his eyes. "Aileana, is that true?"

"Yes," I snap. "Well, not the sauntering. I don't saunter."

"Does . . . this mean I get to keep my appendages?" Gavin asks.

"For now," Derrick says, holding up the needle in a clear threat. — Elizabeth May

I hate this," I mutter.
"Really? I'm having a grand time," Aithinne says brightly.
"That's because you're barmy."
"I believe you just mispronounced 'magnificent'. — Elizabeth May

Kam," Kiaran says, his eyes never leaving Derrick. "Control your pixie." "Control me?" A wee blade is suddenly in Derrick's hand. "I'm going to gut you, you sonofa - — Elizabeth May

I glare at him. 'As a figment of my imagination, I demand you stop insulting me.' I press my fingernails into the grooves of the bite-marks again and shut my eyes. 'And go away. — Elizabeth May

Sometimes the memories we cling hardest to are the ones that hurt us the most. — Elizabeth May

You should never even ask if a campaign is winnable, because the question is not answerable. No-one can predict the course of the future. Time and time again I have seen completely unforeseeable shifts in the tide of events that result in campaign victory. — Elizabeth May

We have to find the seal before that happens," I tell him. "Reactivate it somehow."
...
"You're the only one who can... Last night you asked me a question. Do you remember what it was?"
"What is a Falconer?" I whisper. — Elizabeth May

I stand, and Dona slips behind me and immediately sets to work unbuttoning my dress. If she weren't here, I would be tempted to rip the intolerable thing off and toss it across the room.

'Did you say something, my lady?'

'Hmm?' God, did I speak aloud without realising? I rub my eyes. 'I'm just tired.'

'Did you have a splendid time at the assembly?' she asks.

Oh, aye. Killed a faery. My fifth this week. — Elizabeth May