It's an awful truth that suffering can deepen us, give a greater lustre to our colours, a richer resonance to our words.

Perhaps I fear him because I could love him again, and in loving him, I would come to need him, and in needing him, I would again be his faithful pupil in all things, only to discover that his patience for me is no substitute for the passion which long ago blazed in his eyes.

Cities have distinct personalities. It's a matter of knowing it.

That was my nature - going from temptation after temptation, not to sin, but to be redeemed.

In the chapel you prayed to be a saint and now I will make you a god.

Let tears gather in your eyes. You haven’t tears enough for what you’ve done to me. Six more mortal years, seven, eight…I might have had that shape!’ Her pointed finger flew at Madeleine, whose hands had risen to her face, whose eyes were clouded over. Her moan was almost Claudia’s name. But Claudia did not hear her. ‘Yes, that shape, I might have known what it was to walk at your side.

The old gods will bring about vengeance not so much because they exist but because I once honored them.