Hope Griffin Diaz

“Do you know,' Cassian drawled to her, 'that the last time I got into a brawl in this house, I was kicked out for a month?'

Nesta's burning gaze slid to him, still outraged- but hinted with incredulity.

He just went on, 'It was Amren's fault, of course, but no one believed me. And no one dared banish her.'

She blinked slowly.

But the burning, molten gaze became mortal. Or as mortal as one of us could be.

Until Lucien breathed, 'What are you?'

Cassian didn't seem to dare take his focus off Nesta. But my sister slowly looked at Lucien.

'I made it give something back,' she said with terrifying quiet. The Cauldron. The hairs along my arms rose. Nesta's gaze flicked to the carpet, then to a spot on the wall. 'I wish to go to my room.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“Elain fell into step beside me, peering at Lucien. He noticed it. 'I heard you made the killing blow,' he said.

Elain studied the trees ahead. 'Nesta did. I just stabbed him.'

Lucien seemed to fumble for a response, but I said to him, 'So where now? Off with Vassa?' I wondered if he'd heard of Tamlin's role- the help he'd given us. A look at my friend showed me he had. Someone, perhaps my mate, had informed him.

Lucien shrugged. 'First- here. To help. Then...' Another glance at Elain. 'Who knows?'

I nudged Elain, who blinked at me, then blurted. 'You could come to Velaris.'

He saw all of it, but nodded graciously. 'It would be my pleasure.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“The flame in her eyes was not of your usual sort, I take it.'

Lucien shook his head. 'No. It spoke to nothing in my own arsenal. That was... Ice so cold it burned. Ice and yet... fluid like flame. Or flame made of ice.'

'I think it's death,' I said quietly.

I held Rhys's gaze, as if it were again the tether that had kept me in this world. 'I think the power is death- death made flesh. Or whatever power the Cauldron holds over such things. That's why the Carver heard it- heard about her.'

'Mother above,' Lucien said, dragging a hand through his hair.

Cassian gave him a solemn nod.

But Rhys rubbed his jaw, weighing, thinking. Then he said simply, 'Only Nesta would not just conquer Death- but pillage it.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step back as I hugged him tightly. 'Thank you,' I said, trying not to think about all the steel on him- if he'd need to use it.

'It was time,' Lucien said quietly, giving me a squeeze. 'For me to do something.'

I pulled away, surveying his scarred face. 'Thank you,' I said again. It was all I could think of to say.

Rhys extended a hand to Lucien.

Lucien studied it- then my mate's face. I could nearly see all the hateful words they'd spoken. Dangling between them, between that outstretched hand and Lucien's own.

But Lucien took Rhys's hand. That silent offer of not only transportation.

Before that dark wind swept in, Lucien looked back.

Not to me, I realised- to someone behind me.

Pale and thin, Elain stood atop the stairs.

Their gazes locked and held.

But Elain said nothing. Did not so much as take one step downward.

Lucien inclined his head in a bow, the movement hiding the gleam in his eye- the longing and sadness.

And when Lucien turned to signal to Rhys to go... He did not glance back at Elain.

Did not see the half step she took toward the stairs- as if she'd speak to him. Stop him.

Then Rhys was gone, and Lucien with him.

When I turned to offer Elain breakfast, she'd already walked away.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin