Amaranthe Quotes & Sayings

You look concerned." Books turned the wheel to screw down the press. "It's my new normative state," Amaranthe said. — Lindsay Buroker

It's not my fault," Maldynado said. Amaranthe joined them. "I didn't say it was." "No, but women like to blame things on me, so I figured I'd announce my innocence preemptively." "What type of things?" Books asked. "Their unwanted pregnancies?" "Of course not. To bear my offspring would be an honor. They know that. — Lindsay Buroker

Follow, Sicarius said, letting an icy tone creep into his voice. He wondered if Amaranthe knew how much of his respect for her came from her ability to harness these lunkheads to a cart and get them all moving in the same direction. Basilard was the only one who might have lasted more than three days as a recruit in the army. — Lindsay Buroker

Asking isn't what I had in mind," Sicarius said.
"Yes, I can see that." Amaranthe planted a hand on his chest, fingers splayed. "Why don't you give Yara and me a few minutes alone to discuss this? I'll brief you on whatever we decide to do before we do it. And you can loiter nearby in case anything goes wrong."
His face didn't soften exactly - and he gave that hand a long look before meeting Amaranthe's eyes - but the hostility he'd been oozing did seem to lessen. "Assassins don't loiter," he said.
The comment startled Evrial, and she wondered if she'd heard it correctly. The man hadn't uttered much that could be classified as humor, not with her around anyway. Maybe he was simply feeling indignant.But Amaranthe smiled. "What do you call it?"
"Standing. Purposefully. — Lindsay Buroker

The two men flashed edged smiles at each other, reminding Amaranthe of circling wolves, albeit extremely well-dressed wolves. — Lindsay Buroker

That must be why we get along so fabulously," Amaranthe said. "You being the less talkative sort and me being happy to fill in the awkward silences with ... awkward un-silences." Sicarius said nothing. "Yes, just like that. — Lindsay Buroker

Heal her." Sicarius forced Akstyr to his knees at Amaranthe's side. Sicarius did not say "or else." He did not have to. The threat hung in the air, as dense as the fog. — Lindsay Buroker

Amaranthe cleared her throat. Enough girl talk. There are enemy cabins full of dastardly old ladiesthat we must infiltrate. — Lindsay Buroker

Of course, it'll be up to you to convince Ridgecrest that Sespian is the candidate he wants to side with," Amaranthe said.
"Me," Sicarius stated at the same time as Maldynado asked, "Him?"
"You three. As a group."
"That'll be a unique conversation," Yara said. — Lindsay Buroker

Consider ourselves fortunate."
Maldynado's jaw slackened. "How so?"
"Amaranthe's birthday is next week and, with our limited funds, I didn't think I'd be able to find her a gift."
"So, you're getting her ... dead bodies?"
"Perfect, don't you think?" Books smiled.
"Most women like jewelry and flowers."
"Do you honestly believe she would prefer jewelry over a mystery to solve?"
Maldynado jiggled the key fob thoughtfully, then nodded toward the bodies. "Can we say one is from me? — Lindsay Buroker

You're an awful conversationalist," Amaranthe said. "How is it possible I prefer spending time with you?"
"Most people don't want to talk to assassins."
"I'm a unique individual."
"Yes," he said, deadpan.
"I'm never quite sure if you're complimenting me ... or not."
His eyes glinted as they passed a streetlamp. "Good. — Lindsay Buroker

A pale blob appeared on the other side of the glass. Evrial yelped and jumped backward faster than a dog bit by a snake. Her calf caught on the edge of the bed, and she tumbled onto it.
"Good timing," Amaranthe said.
"What?" Bewildered, Evrial stared at the porthole. Only on the second long look did she recognize the pale blob. It was Sicarius's face - upside down. Amaranthe pointed to the porthole frame and mouthed something. Sicarius's head rose out of sight. Evrial rolled off the bed, embarrassed by her startled - and ungraceful - stumble.
"I hope you don't mind," Amaranthe said, "but I'll have to let Maldynado know."
"What?""
That you are capable of shrieking. — Lindsay Buroker

Sicarius," Amaranthe said quietly.
He bent low, eyes toward her face.
With the men laughing and talking up front, and the lorry clacking and chugging as the stack billowed black smoke into the air, this was scarcely a romantic spot. But maybe it did not matter. His response would not likely be to wrap her in his arms and kiss her. Whatever response he gave - if he gave one at all - she anticipated it would sting.
"I ... uhm ... " Amaranthe forced herself to meet his gaze. "I love you."
A long moment passed. She did not remember breathing.
Sicarius nodded infinitesimally. "I know. — Lindsay Buroker

It's probably unwise to clean the house you're illegally trespassing in, assuming you don't want the person to know you were there." "I've heard that." Amaranthe clasped her hands behind her back. "Though, if people invaded my home, I'd view the intrusion with less animosity if they dusted while they were there. — Lindsay Buroker

My husband," Amaranthe said.
"Really! I would have guessed bodyguard."
Yes, even without visible weapons, he had that aura. — Lindsay Buroker

Don't question luck," Amaranthe muttered. "It might get offended by your lack of appreciation and leave you behind. — Lindsay Buroker

If trailing along with me is boring you," she said, "you could go check on Books and Maldynado in the real estate office."
He did not speak at first, and she thought he might be considering it, but then he said, "My presence unnerves Books."
"Your presence unnerves everyone."
Amaranthe grinned over her shoulder to soften the comment. "Not you," Sicarius said.
"No, but I'm told my sanity is questionable." She wriggled her eyebrows at him. — Lindsay Buroker

Are you sure you're not looking for an excuse to stay in the smokestack with me?"
"If we attempt to check on the weapons now, in daylight, we may be spotted."
"Don't worry. You don't have to say it. I know." Amarante patted him on the chest. "It was good for me too. — Lindsay Buroker

It took Evrial a moment to catch on - she was too busy wondering where Amaranthe had heard anything, since she was supposedly staying out of sight in her cabin for the whole trip. "Maid service?Are you suggesting we dress up as servants and clean people's rooms?"
"
Why, that's an excellent idea. Thank you for suggesting it." Amaranthe beamed. Evrial crossed her arms over her chest and added her glower to the glare Sicarius was still sending across the room. She was beginning to see how Maldynado got blamed for so many things that may have not been his fault after all. — Lindsay Buroker

He doesn't take anything seriously, and he has the work ethic of a ... a ... well, an indolent son of the privileged caste. I've worked my entire life, and I ... " "Take everything seriously?" Amaranthe suggested. Evrial crossed her arms. "Maybe. So, what? Life isn't a joke." "No, but it's easier to enjoy if you can find the humor in even the grim moments. Perhaps it'd be healthy for you to let someone bring a little levity into your life. — Lindsay Buroker

Sicarius stood behind them, not bothering to hide his face as the breeze rifled through his short blond hair. He hadn't drawn a weapon yet, and Amaranthe hurried to catch up, to keep him from doing so.
First one security man glanced over his shoulder and jumped, then the second emulated the move.
Sespian lifted a hand. "Don't hurt - "One of the men pointed to the side of Sicarius, cried, "Look, enforcers!" and hurled himself past Sespian and into the river. The second man squeaked, scuttled backward until his shoulders rammed against the railing, then grabbed it and also propelled himself into the water. His lantern caught and dropped to the deck instead of falling overboard. It clanked and highlighted a dubious puddle before tipping over and winking out. Amaranthe had forgotten how much Sicarius's reputation affected the average person. — Lindsay Buroker

Sespian opened his mouth, paused, closed it, then shook his head ruefully. "It's very easy to be drawn into what you're saying, and I catch myself wanting to nod and agree. Maybe I should take notes on your technique."
Amaranthe blushed and felt like she should stutter an apology, but she hadn't done anything to be embarrassed about, had she?
"It's her eyes", Sicarius said, startling her..
Yara glanced over her shoulder at him, apparently, surprised to hear him speak, but soon turned her attention back to the tracks. She seemed to be believe she should remain silent for the discussion.
Sespian scratched his jaw. "Yes, maybe so. They're like a doe's. Warm and earnest and ... "
"Wholesome. Sicarius's eyes glinted, and Amaranthe scowled at him. — Lindsay Buroker

A soft knock sounded. Amaranthe feared Sicarius had come to collect her for another round of training, but he didn't usually bother knocking. Or being constrained by door locks. — Lindsay Buroker

You know..." Amaranthe dumped her dust pile outside and returned to face him. "It's hard for me to maintain my vigor and enthusiasm for leading you when you do nothing but stand there and ooze disapproval at me. — Lindsay Buroker

She let Sicarius lead since he had that knack for getting people to move out of his way without doing anything. Amaranthe, on the other hand, received elbows in the ribs or suggestive jostles from drunken men. Maybe she should try wearing all black and glaring more often. — Lindsay Buroker

You didn't think you'd find a Science-savvy mercenary team in the empire without a few eccentricities, did you? Amaranthe asked. — Lindsay Buroker

No, no." Amaranthe lifted a hand. "You needn't let me know you think my idea has promise. It's been nearly three months since the last time I almost got myself killed, so I'm brimming with self-confidence. I don't need bolstering. — Lindsay Buroker

Amaranthe decided not to explain that it hadn't been a guess, that Sicarius reserved his ultra icy glare for those who threatened him, those who spoke disrespectfully about his son, and those who dared invite Amaranthe to picnic dinners in the park. — Lindsay Buroker

Oh, they'll be punished." Amaranthe smiled and pointed at the heretofore silent Sicarius.
"Pa here, he's the farm dis-ci-pli-nar-i-an. He was a soldier and he knows how to lay into a man an' make him wish he'd never thunk of running off. Ain't that right, Pa?" She smiled up at Sicarius.
"Yes," he said flatly. "Ma. — Lindsay Buroker

Why, I'm going to infiltrate Forge, of course. Amaranthe smiled and waited for a response. It seemed she hadn't lost her knack for stunning groups of men when announcing her schemes. — Lindsay Buroker

Who sent you?" Sicarius asked.
Amaranthe considered carefully before answering. If he simply meant to scare her into providing information, he could have started with a knife against her throat. No, he had almost broken her neck. He had intended to kill her but stopped mid-motion. Why? And would he continue where he had left off if she answered incorrectly?
"Commander of the Armies Hollowcrest."
Given the previous demonstration of how he could see through lies, the truth seemed a safer choice. Besides, she found herself reluctant to die to protect Hollowcrest's anonymity.
"Why?"
"To kill you."
"That I gathered. Why did he send you? What did you do to anger him?"
"I ... Uhm, what?"
"It was a suicide mission. You must have suspected. — Lindsay Buroker