G.A. Aiken Quotes & Sayings

Listen to me well, Low Born, don't think for a second I won't cut your heart from your worthless hide and wear it on my head ... like a hat. — G.A. Aiken

I didn't know dragons had hair. It's like a horse's mane."
Fearghus snapped. To Morfyd's surprise, Annwyl didn't shy away from her brother and scurry across the room. Instead, she laughed, leaning closer against his body.
"No need to get testy. I was merely implying that your kind was really meant to be beasts of burden for us humans. Just like horses. And centaurs."
"Oh, is that all? Well, I apologize, Lady Annwyl. I thought you were saying something insulting. — G.A. Aiken

She started it," Briec stated before holding his "perfect" daughter out to Talaith and announcing, "She
looks to need nourishment. Unleash your breasts for her. — G.A. Aiken

Go on," he offered magnanimously. "Feel free to piss on yourselves and
cower helplessly."
Gods, sometimes his generosity overwhelmed him. — G.A. Aiken

Whose seal is this? I don't recognize it."
Annwyl let out a sigh. "The Reinholdt."
"The Reinholdt?" He frowned in thought; then his body jolted. "Good
gods! That madman from the north?"
"The very one."
"Honestly ... " He glanced again at the letter. "I didn't know anyone in
the Reinholdt Clan could write. — G.A. Aiken

For the first time in six months, she wasn't thinking of her own misery. She was thinking of others - and how to make their misery worse. — G.A. Aiken

Do you not listen to our daily meetings about the state of your lands?"
"Of course I don't. They're dead boring."
"Not everything can involve bloodshed, Annwyl."
"Can't you come get me when there is bloodshed? Otherwise just leave me alone to read. — G.A. Aiken

Like Mum and that bastard." "You mean Da?"
"Call him what you like. — G.A. Aiken

You have strong thighs and are very, um, handsome. — G.A. Aiken

He didn't even apologize as he sat up, staring down at her. Was
he angry? She guessed not when he began to speak to his erection.
"I know. I can't believe she left us like this either. Cruel wench,
isn't she?"
After the long, frightening, horrible day she had, this was not
remotely how she expected to end it. And, against her will, she
smiled.
"Look. Now she's laughing at us."
Desperately fighting a bout of laughter, she ordered, "Stop
talking to it."
He shrugged. "Well you won't talk to him ... and he's feeling
awfully lonely. And I think you hurt his feelings." Then he made it
bounce twice in agreement.
Talaith covered her face and sighed. What exactly did her
mother tell her the seven signs of madness were? Well, a dragon
talking to his own shaft had to be one of them. — G.A. Aiken

The fact that he still breathes offends me. — G.A. Aiken

The queen watched Annwyl for several long moments. "You are an interesting ... thing. I think I understand what my son sees in you."
Annwyl swallowed. "Son?"
"You didn't know?" Annwyl slowly shook her head. "Yes. I think all my children are quite unimpressed with their rank among dragons."
"Yes. Apparently they are. — G.A. Aiken

Dagmar knew there were worse things in this world than pretending to be a caring, demure woman. For instance, actually being a caring, demure woman. — G.A. Aiken

(Ragnar just came back from the war.)
Then Keita the Viper spun around and ran into his arms, hugging him tight. "This is all your fault!" she accused.
"What is?"
"How much I missed you! And I was shockingly worried about you. I actually cared if you were hurt or had been damaged in some way. She leaned back, squinted up at him. "You weren't, were you? Damaged?"
"Not so that I won't heal."
"Good." She rested her head on his chest. "Believe it or not, I don't know what I'd have done if something happened to you." Keita abruptly pulled back from him and punched him in the chest. "What have you done to me, foreigner? Well, let me make it plain that you'll not trap me in your evil web of amazing sex and unconditional love! I'm stronger than that!"
And Ragnar sighed ... loudly. — G.A. Aiken

Erin eventually put in a call to one of the Crows who worked as an executive at a bank. She told her to set up a business account for Kera's "nonprofit thing. I don't know. Something with dogs and Marines. No. Not porn." Erin glanced at her. "Right? Not porn."
Kera stared at the woman for several long seconds before replying, "No. Not porn. — G.A. Aiken

You two are perfect together. And one day ... one day your children will change everything. — G.A. Aiken

Please don't hug me. Please don't hug me.
But she did. And now Bram had two sets of black eyes glaring at him.
Finally, he said out loud, "It's not me! I swear!" Rhiannon laughed and leaned back from Bram.
"So cute! Isn't he cute, Bercelak?"
"No."
"Bercelak's only teasing."
"No, I'm not. — G.A. Aiken

The bastard was effectively stuck until he and Morfyd helped him. Fearghus smiled a little at his father's suffering and the female who caused it.
I do love that woman. — G.A. Aiken

she'd forgiven him a hundred times over. — G.A. Aiken

Trying to catch their breath, they lay there for so long that Celyn lost track of time. That is, until Elina noted, "You are still hard inside me."
Celyn nodded, then realized she couldn't see that. "Aye," he finally answered.
"How is that possible?"
"I am dragon," he answered honestly. "Anything is possible. We're that amazing. — G.A. Aiken

You want us to bargain with a lizard?"
"They're not lizards, Father. They're extraordinary creatures who were
here long before any human was crawling on this earth. They are warriors
and scholars and - "
"He has long hair like a woman," one of Sigmar's sons blathered — G.A. Aiken

Don't do that."
"Don't do what?"
"Sneak around."
"Do you mean walk around? Because that's what I actually did. I usually crouch more when I sneak - and then I kill someone. — G.A. Aiken

What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing. He's just. just." "Just what?"
"A peacemaker." And she'd dropped her voice to a whisper. "What would I do with a peacemaker?" "The same thing I did with a whore. — G.A. Aiken

What are we doing with him?" Briec asked eagerly. "Are we throwing him out a window? Let's throw him out a window! Or off the roof! — G.A. Aiken

What's going on?"
"Nothing." She coughed, and released Talaith's hand. "Except
you have some powerful enemies."
"Tell me what I don't know, witch."
"Powerful enemies who are gods."
For a moment, Annwyl was shocked beyond all reason ... then
she shrugged. "Now that I think of it - I don't know why I would be
surprised. — G.A. Aiken

You off then, Da?" she asked.
"Aye. Too old for all this killing." And to prove that, her father turned and brought his axe down on the head of a traitor that had gotten too close. Spun once more and cut off the legs of another.
He faced them again. "Need to get back to my rocking chair and some hot tea."
"Clearly. — G.A. Aiken

His affection for the human grew steadily by the day. Sometimes by the minute. And it wasn't simply her beauty, but her utter lack of fear of everything and anything except her brother. She didn't fear dying. She didn't fear battle. And, most importantly, she didn't fear Fearghus. She touched him. Ran her hands across his scales and through his mane.
But it was when he covered her up with the fur and she sighed his name in her sleep, that he lost his heart. — G.A. Aiken

Good," Brigida said with a nod. "Now, you'll need one of Arranz's kin to accompany you. Take that one with you." She motioned to Addolgar. "And the one with the thick neck over there."
Ghleanna's hand went to her throat. "Me neck isn't thick."
"Thick like a tree trunk," Brigida muttered.
"It's graceful. This neck is long and graceful." Powerful legs landed on the table and Ghleanna crossed her arms over her chest. "Graceful," she growled, appearing to fight an instinct to yell.
Addolgar shrugged at Braith. "Me sister's graceful."
"Yes," Braith replied, her eyes briefly crossing. "I can see that. — G.A. Aiken

Nothing hurts me, Low Born. Absolutely nothing."
"How is that possible?" And for some reason he sounded as if he truly cared about her answer.
"When you stop feeling anything, you find it quite possible. — G.A. Aiken

Someone's a very dirty Uncle." ... "And a very naughty niece — G.A. Aiken

You bastard! Let me down!"
"Not on your life, beauty." The godlen claw gripped her tighter. "You get hurt, he'll kill me. Now quiet. I'm trying not to vomit."
Gwenvael to Annwyl — G.A. Aiken

But she's a nice lass."
"Addolgar, she poisoned you."
"But she didn't kill me. That's what's important. — G.A. Aiken

Queen Rhiannon of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar.
First Born Daughter of Queen Addiena. First Born White ... "
"So," she cut him off before the litany of his mother's titles
forced her to stab herself in the neck — G.A. Aiken

Because she can construct and verbally repeat full and complete sentences? — G.A. Aiken

Hysterical laughter. Why did he keep hearing hysterical laughter? Fearghus opened one eye to stare at his two siblings. The were practically falling over each other they were laughing so hard. They woke him up from a sound sleep for this? "What?"
His current mood wouldn't allow for this. And definitely wouldn't allow for him. Gwenvael choked out an answer. "She braided your hair, brother."
"Like a horse's mane," his sister added. — G.A. Aiken

You certainly are Lord Know-It-All this evening, aren't you?"
"Only when necessary. Otherwise I try not to let my brilliance overshadow my giving and loving nature. — G.A. Aiken

You're quite the specimen. Built like a sturdy building.
Are all your Low Born females like you?"
"You've begun to annoy me. — G.A. Aiken

True, men were mostly useless, but they served their purpose: trash removal, child rearing, and breeding. — G.A. Aiken

She's just being sensitive. You put a girl in jail and forget about her for a few months, and they all take it so bloody personally."
"You forgot about her?"
"She's lucky I did. She'd been sent to kill Rhiannon."
"Then why isn't she dead?"
Celyn sighed. "It was a sad, weak attempt, really. She clearly didn't want to do it. Auntie Rhiannon just felt bad for her. — G.A. Aiken

I've
enjoyed our conversation, knight. It's been nice talking to someone
who can - "
"Create full and complete sentences?"
That grin returned and, for a moment, his heart actually stopped
beating. "No, it was nice to finally meet someone whose arrogance is
only rivaled by the arrogance of the gods. — G.A. Aiken

She released him and Kleitos rubbed his neck, glaring at the two guards outside her door.
"And you do nothing?" he demanded.
Demetrius shrugged. "Our orders are quite specific, Chancellor - " "Never mind! — G.A. Aiken

Me? Kachka, you love me!" "I love your beauty. I have no use for you personally. You represent all that we hate." "Why do you talk to him so?" Elina asked. "He cannot help that he is beautiful but worthless." "I am not worthless! I am Gwenvael the - " "We do not care, lizard!" Kachka barked. — G.A. Aiken

You'd put our parents at risk for some piece of tail?" Ghleanna demanded.
"She saved my life."
"You can fight your own battles!"
"Not when I'm knocked out on my ass!"
"You mean knocked out on your fat ass!"
"My ass, like the rest of me, is perfection! — G.A. Aiken

Morfyd's care.
As she walked out of the cave she passed Annwyl walking in. The girl had her swords in one hand. The other hand held her ripped shirt and bindings over her ample breasts. Her brows angled down into a dark frown and she wouldn't even look at Morfyd as she passed.
"How did that talk go then?" Morfyd called over her shoulder.
"Shut. Up."
Morfyd laughed as she advanced into the glen toward the clearing where she could take off. She rounded a corner and came upon her brother, his chainmail shirt and sword in his big hand, heading toward the hidden entrance of his cave. She watched him as he passed and she noticed the long scratches across his back.
"How did that talk go then?" Morfyd called over her shoulder.
"Shut. Up."
Morfyd shook her head. If love always made you this pathetic, she wanted nothing to do with it. — G.A. Aiken

My father helped you with that. that thing you do?" "Yes. Your father helped me with that peacemaking thing I do that keeps you happily killing for a living. — G.A. Aiken

She leaned in and whispered, "I see why our little Braith likes you."
"Does she?"
"Can't you tell?"
"I'm male. I have no idea what you females are thinking. — G.A. Aiken

Your cold, inflexible heart makes me burn to be inside you."
"Charmer. — G.A. Aiken

With a sigh, Fearghus went and stood in front of her. "You are a mad bitch, Annwyl the Bloody."
"What other woman would put up with you, Fearghus the Destroyer? — G.A. Aiken

Rhianonn turned and pointed at her ass. And I could be wrong, but I think this thing is even bigger than is normal for a human my size. How is that acceptable? — G.A. Aiken

She was polite, charming, and damn pretty. Braith wanted to hate her, but she just couldn't. The bitch. — G.A. Aiken

I invite you to enter the world of my Dragon Kin - where the dragons are much saner than the humans surrounding them could ever hope to be. - G.A. Aiken — G.A. Aiken

Braith lifted his head from her shoulder, kissed him. Centuries and her kiss still made him as weak as one of her fists to the face. — G.A. Aiken

I didn't think it was possible - but this situation has managed to get worse." "But you're so calm," she observed.
"That's usually when you can tell everything has gone to shit. — G.A. Aiken

A small fireball hit him in the face. He again looked at his sister, smoke still curling out from her human nostrils. "What brat?"
"I said she'll want to return to her men as soon as she can."
"I know."
His sister smiled up at him. "And will you be ready for that, idiot?"
"It's Lord Idiot to you." Fearghus rested his head on his crossed forearms. "And yes, brat. I will be. — G.A. Aiken

She'd left him.
Without a word. Without a thought. She'd left him and now he had
feelings.
For that alone, he'd never forgive her. — G.A. Aiken

You can stick your questions up your ass."
He slammed his tail in front of her. "I don't think I heard you,
little witch."
"You heard me just fine and stop threatening me with that thing!"
She kicked his tail.
By the gods, she was absolutely adorable! — G.A. Aiken

You with your deep philosophical ramblings."
"You like my deep philosophical ramblings. "
"Not when they interfere with my ridiculous rages. It's extremely hard to flounce away with any dignity when you're so busy rationalizing. — G.A. Aiken

Brastias. My friend." Uh-oh, this couldn't be good. "Do you lie to me?"
"Uh ... no."
"See? That's a lie! — G.A. Aiken

No one referred to
Fearghus the Destroyer as the life of anyone's party. — G.A. Aiken

We're not talking about you. You're Braith of the Darkness. I'm Addolgar the Cheerful. I've earned this name, and you're ruining it by being unreasonable."
"You throw me into a tree - "
"That was for your own good."
" - have me attacked by your kin - "
"You brought that on yourself."
" - and leave me alone with Brigida the Foul, of all She-dragons - "
"She got away from us. Normally none of us would have done that. Not even to our worst enemy."
" - and I'm being unreasonable."
Addolgar nodded. "See? You do understand. — G.A. Aiken

You seem so happy with the dragon king's cock." "It is effective." "And that's all a Daughter of the Steppes wants," she said, sagely. "An effective cock. — G.A. Aiken

Normally, I'd lie and connive and do whatever necessary to make you take me into the south."
"But ... "
More tears began to flow. "But that thing ... "
"Thing? What thing?"
"That thing ... in one's head ... that tells you when something would be wrong to do. It won't let me do it."
Feeling a sudden high level of annoyance, Gwenvael carefully asked, "Do you mean your ... conscience?"
Her tears turned into hysterical sobs, and she went down on her side, her head dropping into his lap.
"Dagmar! Everyone has a conscience."
"I don't!"
"Of course you do."
"I'm a politician, Gwenvael! Of course, I don't have a conscience. At least I didn't. Now I'm cursed with one. And it's your fault!"
Somehow he knew that last bit would happen. — G.A. Aiken

Fearghus watched his sister grab several pieces of fruit. Her human body seemed shakier than usual. "Are you all right?"
"That mad bitch threw a blade at my head."
He studied his sister. "What did you say to her?"
Morfyd swung around to glare at him, fruit flying everywhere."What did I ... why do you ... how dare you ... "Morfyd stopped and pulled herself together. "I did nothing, brother. She was having a nightmare about Lorcan or something. I happened to walk in at the wrong time. — G.A. Aiken

It was those damn wool socks. He didn't realize he loved her until she
told him about out-negotiating a god of war - the most haggle-loving of the
gods - with socks! — G.A. Aiken

She and Brastias walked off, but as soon as Fearghus released
Annwyl she yelled after them, "We'll do our best to be good little
monarchs."
Morfyd swung around so fast, fangs showing, that Annwyl
stumbled back and then dodged behind Fearghus.
"My, aren't we the brave queen, my love."
"Shut up, mate. — G.A. Aiken

It must be nice to fly."
"Is that sarcasm?"
"No. If I could fly, I would live in tree. Stare down at everyone ... quietly hating them all. — G.A. Aiken

I know I'm not an easy She-dragon to. not fear." "I'm not afraid of you, Ghleanna. I've never been afraid of you. To be quite honest. I think you're amazing. I always have. Since the first time you ignored me. — G.A. Aiken

Daughters of the Steppes had their three-year-olds playing these games to help them understand the concept of divide, conquer, and destroy so that the next city or town over just gives us what we ask for. — G.A. Aiken

Males will always make excuses for the pretty. — G.A. Aiken

Now if you gentlemen," she looked at Briec, "and whatever
you are, will excuse me. — G.A. Aiken

I need someone I can count on. Until recently, you were the most reliable of us all. I sincerely hope that hasn't changed for good." "Don't go there, brother."
"Over some male not worthy of you."
He went there! — G.A. Aiken

Did you see the way she ran out of here? Like I had the plague or something."
"Who? The witch?"
"Aye."
"And this bothers you because ... "
"Well ... it's rude."
"Uh huh."
Brastias growled at his second in command. "Shut up. — G.A. Aiken

Stop it! Both of you!" the dragon called out. "I have enough beauty to share with everyone!" Ignoring the beautiful but useless dragon, — G.A. Aiken

She wants a truce.
With me?
Aye. She's quite. adamant about it. I can try to put her off until Ghleanna is at full strength but - No, no. See what her terms are.
My Lady?
I am not my mother, peacemaker. I can be reasonable. It's a new time for us all. A new time of hope and of change and of - You want access to the coast so you can attack the Lightnings, don't you?
And it is time for those barbarian Lightnings to bow down before me. — G.A. Aiken

Husband?"
"Aye. Husband."
"The slow-witted one that's been following you? I thought he
was your servant. — G.A. Aiken

You want me to be honest with you?" Vigholf snapped. "You want me to tell you why I have my hungry face as you call it? Because of you. Because I'm hungry for you. If there's anything I want to eat - it's you."
Rhona stepped back, hands on hips, and accused, "You cannibalistic bastard!" — G.A. Aiken

She again patted the ground beside her. "Now come. Sit beside me. I will play with your cock while we eat."
Elina hadn't even finished chewing the second bite of her food before the dragon suddenly dove into place next to her. A smile on his handsome face, his eyebrows wiggling in anticipation.
He was adorably pathetic.
"Take care of your horse first, Dolt."
"Take care of him?"
"He cannot spend the all night wearing saddle and equipment."
"Aye, but ... "
"I am not going anywhere. My hands will still be here to play with cock when you get back."
"Promise? — G.A. Aiken

Kill first, ask questions of the corpse later — G.A. Aiken

He shrugged. "You're not going to like it, I'm afraid."
"Well ... to be honest, I don't like anything. — G.A. Aiken

It wasn't the first time he'd run for his life. And it most likely would
not be the last. In the past few decades, though, he'd mostly run from
angry fathers who'd found him where they felt he should not be. Or he'd
run from town guards - sent by angry fathers who'd found him where they
felt he should not be. — G.A. Aiken

I feel nothing."
Crouching down beside her, Bercelak took a cloth from off the table and placed it over the wound. "Nothing? You feel no pain?"
"Oh. I feel pain. Lots of pain. But nothing else. — G.A. Aiken

Lorcan rubbed his head. "Am I asking too much to want the little bitch dead? Am I?" It seemed Hefaidd-Hen learned long ago not to answer certain questions. "All I want is for her to suffer a painful, horrifying death. And for her head to be on a spike in front of my castle. That's all I want. — G.A. Aiken

Wait. are they really going to - "
"Head butt each other until one passes out or dies of blood on the brain? Yep. They really are."
"And they protect our queen and lands. How reassuring. — G.A. Aiken

Her youngest daughter shrugged. "Ain't got no money, do we?" "I don't understand. Why aren't you pillaging like the rest of your kin?" "It was the Northlands, Da. Ain't nothin' to pillage but the crows in the trees." "And snow," their eldest added. "Lots and lots of snow." Bram motioned to his study. "You know where I keep the gold coin." As if on fire, their offspring made a desperate run for their father's study, climbing over the table and fighting each other through the door. It wasn't pretty. — G.A. Aiken

Wait, wait," Gaius cut in, his grin mischievous. "Before we go any further. I must make introductions. Keita, this is Kachka Shestakova of the - "
"Do not," the She-dragon roared, startling the birds from the trees, and the men training nearby, "again bore me with those ridiculously long names! — G.A. Aiken

Perhaps," he reminded her, "you forget that you are a Cadwaladr. First. Last. And always. The protection of our Clan is and always will be the most important thing. We protect our queen. We protect our people. But we always, and I mean always, protect our kin. — G.A. Aiken

Dagmar tried to stand, and Gwenvael caught her hand, pulling her back down. "You can't leave me. I'm tortured and brooding. You need to show me how much you adore me so I can learn to love myself again."
"You've never stopped loving yourself."
"Because I'm amazing. — G.A. Aiken

Once ... but then I realized I was right the first time, so I never bothered to change my mind again. — G.A. Aiken

An unhappy Briec is an unhappy universe. — G.A. Aiken

The unnatural beast plummeted to the ground, vainly attempting to keep his entrails in and put out the fire that covered him. Morfyd spewed another spell at the retreating form and Hefaidd-Hen burst into pieces.
Fearghus glanced at his sister. "That was a bit much, don't you think?"
She gave an innocent shrug. "I like to be certain. — G.A. Aiken

Bercelak's kin kept themselves busy by sharpening weapons, reading, talking, or setting things on fire with small bursts of flame. — G.A. Aiken

He sighed. A year since he'd left her the morning after the final battle with her brother. A year since he'd held her in his arms. A year since he'd kissed her. A year since he'd buried his head between her thighs. A year since she'd punched him in the face. — G.A. Aiken

Hope death finds you well today. — G.A. Aiken

And Annwyl. Remember what I told you." "Protect my right side?" "No." "Feint with my left?" "No." "Nice ass?" "No!" His growl of annoyance only elicited a sweet chuckle from his woman. "Watch my rage, heart of my heart?" "Condescending cow. — G.A. Aiken

Annwyl?" Ragnar repeated, suddenly remembering that Keita had said the same name before they'd
burst out of the woods. "This is Annwyl?" Ragnar looked the woman over, from her absurdly large feet
to the top of her unkempt head. "This?"
This human who had more muscles than seemed necessary for any royal and watched him and his kin
with what he could only term as the mad eyes of a diseased animal. — G.A. Aiken

So pretty," Nika said to her sisters. "But such a big baby about a little hair. — G.A. Aiken

Brave enough? Or stupid enough?" "Sometimes," she said, pulling the cork out, "there is truly no difference. — G.A. Aiken

He was her father after all. True, a father whose funeral rite she planned to dance at and toast with ale, but her father just the same. — G.A. Aiken

The only thing I feared has his head on a spike outside my camp. Now my fear is of living the rest of my life without you. — G.A. Aiken

Fighting her smile, his sister reached over and ran her hand through his hair. "That, my sweet brother, is called heartbreak."
He glanced down at his chest. "Will that be a physical deformity? — G.A. Aiken