Taylor Markham," said Raffaela, "I'm going to say a prayer for you." And although I wanted to mock her and explain I didn't believe in anything or anyone, I realised that no one had ever prayed for me before. So I let her.
Melina MarchettaAll I need to understand is the unwritten law of warriors," he said firmly. "And women and children are never sent to do our work without our protection." He pointed to the trees, emphatically. "That's the language I share with them.
Melina MarchettaIf sheโs out here and not locked up in the barracks, Iโll know,โ he said. He took a deep breath and whistled. โYou share a whistle?โ Trevanion said in disbelief. โDo you have a problem with that?โ Finnikin asked. โI have a few whistles,โ Lucian murmured. โVery confusing sometimes.โ โWhistles are meant for combat,โ Trevanion said. โNot wooing women. Women do not understand whistles.
Melina MarchettaWe pass more women with swollen bellies hurrying towards the godshouse and Arjuro presses a kiss to Tariq's outstretched fingers. 'She's mocking me, runt of our litter,' Arjuro tells him. 'The Oracle is mocking me for choosing a man to share my bed. And her punishment is that I spend the rest of eternity staring between the legs of women.
Melina MarchettaWhy are you smiling?' Gargarin asked Froi, from across the balconette. 'When you're going to have to learn a lesson in diplomacy today and choose between the gardens of two women?' Froi laughed, his chin resting on Quintana's head, his eyes taking in the joy of his son, despite the ridiculous cap that covered the babe's head. He looked across at Lirah and Arjuro and Rafuel, and then back to Gargarin who was smiling himself, because he knew the answer to his own question. 'Because today, I think I'm leaning on the side of wonder.
Melina Marchetta