From Blood and Ash

“You're an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature.”

“Fear and bravery are often one and the same. It either makes you a warrior or a coward. The only difference is the person it resides inside.”

“Death is like an old friend who pays a visit, sometimes when it’s least expected and other times when you’re waiting for her. It’s neither the first nor the last time she’ll pay a visit, but that doesn’t make any death less harsh or unforgiving.”

“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe,” he spoke, voice deep and smooth, reminding me of rich, decadent chocolate. “From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”

“Promise me you won't forget this, Poppy. That no matter what happens tomorrow, the next day, next week, you won't forget this, forget that this was real”

“Nothing is ever simple. And when it is, it's rarely every worth it.”

“When you listen to me, I think the stars will fall.”

“The next time you go out, wear better shoes and thicker clothing. Those slippers are likely to be the death of you, and that dress... the death of me”

“Some truths do nothing but destroy and decay what they do not obliterate. Truths do not always set one free. Only a fool who has spent their entire life being fed lies believes that.”

“You’re such a bad influence,” I murmured as I placed my hand in his.Hawke curled his fingers around mine. The weight and warmth of his hand was a pleasant shock. “Only the bad can be influenced, Princess.”

“You're such a bad influence""Only the bad can be influenced, Princess”

“I'll say it again. I don't care what you are. I care about who you are”

“It doesn’t matter if I want--”“And you do want.” His whisper danced over my cheek. “What you want is me.”My breath caught. “That doesn’t matter.”“What you want should always matter.”

“Bravery and strength do not equal goodness.”

“I’m the Maiden, Hawke,” I reminded him – or myself, I wasn’t sure.“And I don’t care.”My eyes flew open in shock. “I can’t believe you just said that.”“I did. And I’ll say it again. I don’t care what you are.” Hawke’s hand slid off my back. A moment later, I felt his palm flatten against my cheek with unerring accuracy. “I care about who you are.”

“You deserve so much more than what awaits you.”

“You’re important to me, Poppy. Not because you’re the Maiden, but because you’re… you.”

“That was very naughty,” Hawke chided, snatching the sword out of my hand as if I hadn’t been holding onto it. “You are so incredibly violent.” He dipped his chin and whispered, “It still turns me on.”

“From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”

“Would you love to hear that I really like you?" he asked.My heart skipped a beat, but I ignored the stupid organ. "Would you be sad if I said no?""I'd be devastated.”

“I came back for you that night. Just like I told you I would. I came back for you, and you weren't there. You promised me, princess.”

“We were enemies, no matter the truths. No matter that I loved him.”

“I am a bad maiden." "No" He kissed my other temple. "You're a perfectly normal girl. What is expected of you is what's bad" He paused. "And yes, you're also a very bad Maiden”

“Some things, once spoken, were given a life of their own.”

“I have a feeling that if there’s something you want badly enough, nothing will stop you.”

“Poppy, you wound me. In my heart,” he said, placing his hand over his chest. “Again.” “Don’t whine. You’ll heal. Again,” I snapped. “Unfortunately.”

“Like when I saw a spider, I behaved as if it were the size of a horse with the cold calculation of an assassin.”

“Tiny coils of tension formed in my stomach. Part of me wanted to be reminded of what I surely had not forgotten. Thank the gods, the smarter, logical part of me won out. "There was nothing worth remembering.""Now you insult me after throwing a dagger at my face? You've wounded my tender feelings.”

“His words had touched the deepest part of me, and it was thrilling. I felt alive, like i was finally waking up”

“I was the Maiden, the Chosen … I wasn’t Poppy but a shadow of a person who wasn’t allowed to experience, need, live, or want.”