Rae Carson Quotes & Sayings

God's will. How many times have I heard someone declare their understanding of this thing I find so indefinable? — Rae Carson

Don't be daft, I love you."
He grins, "You've never said. — Rae Carson

Yes, I love him. Enough to follow him anywhere. — Rae Carson

A quarterstaff is not very subtle. Or handy. If an kidnapper comes at me, what am I supposed to do? Say, 'Excuse me, my lord, while I pull my enormous quarterstaff out of my bodice? — Rae Carson

The people around me gasp in recognition of the seal. — Rae Carson

Well maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe you'll marry a man who is rich and powerful and wise AND wonderful to be naked with.'
I can't help the giggle that bubbles from my mouth.
'Maybe,' she says, 'you should ask all your suitors to drop their breeches so you can inspect the merchandise.'
'Mara!'
'You could make it a royal command.'
I toss a pillow at her. — Rae Carson

Gently, I reach forward and close her eyes with my fingertips, hoping it will make her seem merely asleep. But the stillness of sleep is nothing at all like the stillness of death. — Rae Carson

May I document your recovery? It's such a devastating and fascinating injury. — Rae Carson

Not sullenness, I understand suddenly. Bravery. Together we crawl to the lip of the cave. Zito sits in the center of the meadow, curled up on himself panting. Around him, the animagus traces lines in the earth with the glowing end of his staff, a task that requires all his focus. I nod at Lupita and push her out of the cave. She freezes for just an instant, then turns and slips over the boulders as quietly as the moonrise. — Rae Carson

Mara leans over and whispers in my ear, I know you're charmingly naive when it comes to matters of the heart, but you just stopped him in his tracks. — Rae Carson

One thing I have learned from many years of watching my father is that some people, the best ones, are motivated more by the chance to prove themselves than by a command to serve. It is the work itself that calls them onward, especially if they believe they are the only ones who can do it. — Rae Carson

Make no mistake," Enrico says finally. "I never would have accepted your application were it not for the King's order. I expect you will be expelled within the month."
His forthrightness makes me bold. "I expect you will be surprised, my lord. — Rae Carson

I need to marry Hector — Rae Carson

The fifth place is for Hector. — Rae Carson

From the base of the South Pass, a twisty road leads up the Rocky Mountains. It's a well-earned name, because the steep slopes are covered in giant rocks split open and turned on edge every which way, like God started a quarry and got distracted — Rae Carson

There's not a place in the whole world where everyone isn't willing
no, eager
to give a girl up to a man. — Rae Carson

Hector!" He whips around. "You were never, never, going to be just a diversion to me." He sighs, nodding. "That was unfair of me," he says. "I'm sorr - " "And you will kiss me again. That and more. Count on it. — Rae Carson

It is human nature to concoct explanations to fill the great void of the unknown. — Rae Carson

It's a night for shimmering, for catching the light just so. — Rae Carson

No, no." I motion vaguely. "Relax. Don't look so ... guardlike." They drop formation at once, glancing at one another shamefaced. Hector draped an arm around my shoulder as if we were out for a companionable stroll. He leans down and says, "So. Horrible heat we've been having lately. — Rae Carson

They're still warm, and I burrow into my pillows, catching the faint scent of rosewater. Truly, my bed is the greatest place in the world. — Rae Carson

Bad men are never all bad, and good men are never all good, and it makes it hard to know up from down. — Rae Carson

I saw the way she looked at you. You are life and breath for her."
He's wrong about that. Elisa loves fiercely, it's true. But she loves with her heart and mind. If she comes for me, it will be part of a larger plan to rescue all of Joya. — Rae Carson

In the same way that the best lies have an element of truth, maybe evil is made all the more powerful when it is accompanied by the startling presence of grace. — Rae Carson

I should have let you bust Frank Dilley's nose," I say.

"That would have made things worse," he says.

"But it would have been a pleasure to watch. — Rae Carson

Given a choice between my life and yours, I will choose mine. Every time. Without hesitation. — Rae Carson

Mara hurries over and takes my hands. "Er, congratulations on your pending nuptials?"
I whisper, "He'll be so angry when he learns I have engaged us without his knowledge. — Rae Carson

I could heal you-"
"No," he says, sharply enough that it startles me. "Everyone is dead. Gavin, Jedro, Melita ... All gone. My life, my friends. I lived for the blink of an eye. But I've been dying for a very long time. — Rae Carson

I lie awake for a long time, wondering which would be more foolish, to prepare for something that may never happen, or not to prepare for something that might. — Rae Carson

The Missouri men are snakes," I whisper to Jeff. "The lot of them."
"Men are men," he says with a shrug. "It's men thinking other men are snakes that's the problem. — Rae Carson

Her love for me has always been a foolish thing, but I'm grateful for it. — Rae Carson

I won't lie to you. There is always a cost. All I can gurantee is that it will be the right thing."
"It's insane," he says, but without vehemence.
"It's faith," I say. — Rae Carson

I loved and lost and survived. — Rae Carson

Hiding in relative comfort, I remember to be terrified. — Rae Carson

I love you, too," he whispers in my ear. "Wholly. Madly."
"Does that mean you'll marry me?"
"I suppose. — Rae Carson

I slip my canteen strap over my head, open the lid, and take a drink. Then I hand it to Hampton. A peace offering. "It's not communionif there's no wine."
Hampton tips it to his lips and swallows long and hard. He wipes his mouth when he's done. "Well, darn. The Savior got confused and turned this wine into water."
"The Lord works in mysterious ways," Henry says, taking the canteen fromHampton — Rae Carson

Mary left me a bristle brush and some soap, and I get to work scrubbing everything, paying special attention to my face and dirt-encrusted fingernails. I soap down my hair and dip beneath the water to rinse, then finger comb it as best I can. Strands of hair come away from my scalp and float like water bugs on the surface. I keep combing, and more hair comes away. Then more. I decide to leave my hair alone. — Rae Carson

His Majesty, may he live forever and prosper greatly ...
His Majesty, may sun finches warble sweet melodies in his ear ...
His Majesty, may orchids bloom in the wake of his passing ...
His Majesty, may minstrels compose epics at the sound of his glorious name ...
His Majesty, may his magnificent sword shatter the breasts of his enemies ... — Rae Carson

Fury is like a monster inside me, the one thing in my life I've been unable to master. I sent up a quick prayer of apology. "I know you don't listen to me the way you listen to my sister. But I'm sorry just the same." And then, because I am me and not my sister, I add: "Of course if you would help me see the strength in her, or nudge her to be a little more useful, then I wouldn't have to be sorry." Very likely this is why my prayers are seldom answered. (Alodia speaking of her sister Elisa) — Rae Carson

Reading can only take you so far, up to the moment where you must take action with your own hands — Rae Carson

Has not God chosen those who are pained in this world to inherit his paradise? For it is through suffering we understand our need for his righteous right hand. Indeed, our spiritual needs outweigh our physical ones. Blessed be the name of God. — Rae Carson

Yes!" Belen raises his fist in a victory gesture. "We shall save the world from Invierne with slings! — Rae Carson

The Champion must not waver. The Champion must not fear. The Gate of Darkness closes. — Rae Carson

His smile is like the sun rising huge and bright over the Siera Sangre. — Rae Carson

That is a lovely quilt, recruit," he says.
"Thank you, sir."
"It's the envy of every little girl in Brisadulce. I saw them sitting on the wall today, staring at that blanket and asking their mothers if they could join the Guard so they could have one just like it. Is that what you want, recruit? You want a Guard full of girls?"
"If they can fight well enough to defend the King, sir. — Rae Carson

Lying isn't going to make you into a hero. — Rae Carson

If a sweet dumpling took human form, it would look just like Aunt Tildy, right down to the flour-dusting of her gray hair. — Rae Carson

Prophecy is a tricky thing, I have learned, full of edges and secret meanings and mischief. Prophecy can feel like the betrayal of a dear friends, the disappointment of a lifetime, the hope of a nation. — Rae Carson

Storm chuckles. Queen, chosen one, horse thief. Let it never be said that you are not accomplished. — Rae Carson

Even more than the cold, I'm frozen by the sadness in his beautiful eyes, deep and true. He squeezes them closed a moment and breathes deeply through his nose. Then, with one swift movement, he cups the back of my neck with a strong hand, pulls my head forward, and presses his lips to mine. He wastes precious moments kissing me, his tongue gliding across my lips, darting at my teeth. I open my mouth and kiss back just as eagerly. — Rae Carson

Like all good teachers, he loves the moment of revelation, when the light of knowledge passes to his pupil. — Rae Carson

He studies me thoughtfully. "You are a beautiful queen, Elisa," he says voice pitched low.
I never expected he would say such a thing. "A month or two of pastries will fix that," I say. Then I smile to show him I mean it flippantly.
His expression does not change. "Even then. — Rae Carson

I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little. — Rae Carson

But none of it will be real. None of them will want me. My throne, yes. Prestige. A conquest. But not me. — Rae Carson

Pummel me all you want," I say. "Pummel me to death, in fact. My answers will not change."
The Invierno step back, frowning. "You must love her very much," he says, not unkindly. — Rae Carson

Weren't you scared?" I ask.
"Yes. But it was a good scared."
"There's a good kind?"
"Oh, yes." Her voice drops so low I have to strain to hear. "Orlin made me scared all the time. Scared I would starve. Scared I would get too cold. Scared he would hurt me again or get so mad he'd throw me to one of the men. That was nasty bad scared." She pauses, scuffing her boots against the floor. "But you never hit me, even though I'm your slave ... You always feed me. You call me my true name. Now when I'm scared, it's not because of meanness. And today, I chose my own scared. It's always a good scared, when you get to pick it your own self. — Rae Carson

Elisa, tell me truly. Have you attained that kind of power? The kind that would frighten an animagus?"
"I have."
Her eyes widen and her lips part. She says to Storm, "You always speak truly, yes?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You are also an animagus, are you not?"
"I am."
"And you believe my sister has the kind of power she claims?"
"No," he says. "She is being modest. — Rae Carson

We have a saying. My people call it 'choosing the path of fewest lashes.'"
"That's terrible," I murmur; half to myself.
"You mistake 'terrible' for 'different,'" he says. "You have a similar say, do you not? 'The lesser of two evils'? — Rae Carson

A word is the only thing in the world made more powerful by absence than existence. — Rae Carson

You do realise, don't you, that I was present during the assassination attempt? — Rae Carson

I just hope His Majesty, may minstrels compose epics at the sound of his glorious name, will do as you say and give this land to its people. — Rae Carson

I don't care if it's Twilight or Fifty Shades or War and Peace - Never let someone make you ashamed of what you love to read! — Rae Carson

My supposed destiny can drown itself in the deepest part of the sea. Along with everyone else's plans for me. — Rae Carson

I turn to Jasper. "What do you think? Do we hurry up so we can leave with them?"

"The oxen go faster, more consistently, when they see other wagons in front of them. And I know we've had our disagreements with those men, but all in all, I want to believe they're decent specimens of humanity. If something were to happen to one of our wagons, they'd no sooner leave us behind to die than we would them."

I hope he's right.
I turn to Jasper. "What do you think? Do we hurry up so we can leave with them?"

"The oxen go faster, more consistently, when they see other wagons in front of them. And I know we've had our disagreements with those men, but all in all, I want to believe they're decent specimens of humanity. If something were to happen to one of our wagons, they'd no sooner leave us behind to die than we would them."

I hope he's right. — Rae Carson

Yes, well, everyone is ignorant when it comes to their own life and love. — Rae Carson

Storm returns with close-cropped hair the color of corn silk and a new swagger. — Rae Carson

Truly, my bed is the greatest place in the world. I — Rae Carson

I'm relieved to hear that your vanity has weathered this egregious trial unscathed."
"Thank y
Oh. Sarcasm again. — Rae Carson

But you and I - " he brushes the collar of the gown aside - "are students of knowledge. We believe in careful practice to attain perfection. — Rae Carson

When you get intense, you spark. And you have the kind of hair any man would want to get tangled in. — Rae Carson

Sometimes it's best to let your opponent think he has control. — Rae Carson

Hope. Such a dangerous thing. — Rae Carson

I make my hand my whole world. Hand hand hand hand. I push through the sand and light and heat, and with every bit of strength I have in me, I squeeze back. — Rae Carson

Fuss is reserved for sons. — Rae Carson

She throws her arms around me and gives me such a hug. Not like Mama. I was my mama's little girl, and she always held me gently, like I was precious and fragile. Lucie's hug is fierce, as if I can't be broken, and I hug her back just as tight. — Rae Carson

The mind of God is a mystery and none can understand it. — Rae Carson

Harsh winds, rough seas, still hearts. — Rae Carson

He doesn't love me yet, but in this place of death, in this precious moment of shared relief, he holds me. — Rae Carson

See that mountain up ahead?" Jefferson points to a low, rounded mound on the horizon. "I think that's it."
"It's called Independence Rock, not Independence Mountain," I say.
"Everything is bigger out here. Just look at me." He straightens in his saddle and puffs out his chest and fails to keep a straight face.
"Your head is bigger, that's for sure — Rae Carson

I scuff the toe of my boot through the dirt, uncovering pine needles and half-rotted leaves shed by the cottonwood looming over me. My dirt, I think. My land. — Rae Carson

When the rain finally abates, I decide to wait out the night instead of trying to climb in the dark. — Rae Carson

Fernando de Ismelda," Enrico says. "You won the kingdom's archery competition. I gather it was quite a surprise to everyone."
"Not to me," the boy says.
I decide that I like Fernando de Ismelda. — Rae Carson

All I know of Inviernos is bloodshed and cruelty and rage and ... " Her voice trails off as tears fill her eyes.
"And me," Storm says softly. "You know me. — Rae Carson

I wake to sunshine flashing on puddled water, to dirty clumps of hail melting in the shadowed lees of boulders, to rock wrens singing like it's the best day of their lives. — Rae Carson

Lord-commander, I won't pretend to love her the way you do. But I do owe her my life and my honour. I am Joyan now. And we are, all of us, filthy liars. — Rae Carson

Alone is such a nebulous state when one is queen. — Rae Carson

I pray silently, asking God to make me a little stronger, a little braver. — Rae Carson

It seems to me that when God decided he wanted to communicate with humankind, he could have come up with a much better plan. — Rae Carson

Catch me if I fall? — Rae Carson

I wasn't done with you. I was just getting started with me. — Rae Carson

If Elisa were here, she would pray warmth into her body with the power of her Godstone. It gives me comfort. She will never be so cold as I am now. — Rae Carson

He had a way of believing in people long before they believed in themselves, didn't he? — Rae Carson

I want to feel the victory of being desired by someone I once found desirable. — Rae Carson

Men can be relentless," she agrees, "when they think a woman belongs to them. — Rae Carson

Murder is no less a crime when the victim is common born. — Rae Carson

That queen of yours played me like a vihuela, didn't she? — Rae Carson

Did you bring three personal items, recruit?" he asks.
"Yes, my lord!" I say.
"What are they?"
"Love for my kingdom, love for my king, and love for my queen, my lord!"
He pauses for a long time before he nods. "I can work with that," he says finally.
It's all a Royal Guard, a true Royal Guard, will ever need. — Rae Carson

It's not our place to question God's will, and it is clearly God's will that the two of us become man and wife." It's a testament to my fine character that I don't smash that Bible right into his nose. "You wouldn't know God's will if it tipped its hat and said howdy. — Rae Carson

Everyone has doubts. Pray through them, — Rae Carson

May sun finches warble sweet melodies in his ear, — Rae Carson