9111195
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Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath in my ear sent a shiver down my spine. "But you've slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart." "That sounds more like a poison than a person," was all I could say. His confession had both shocked and thrilled me. "Exactly," Valek replied. "You have poisoned me." -..
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poison
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Maria V. Snyder |
223a51e
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Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo.
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Maria V. Snyder |
b1ecb08
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Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder.
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valek
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Maria V. Snyder |
f1fae94
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There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow.
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storm
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Maria V. Snyder |
703dceb
|
Everyone grieves in different ways. For some, it could take longer or shorter. I do know it never disappears. An ember still smolders inside me. Most days, I don't notice it, but, out of the blue, it'll flare to life.
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grief
death
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Maria V. Snyder |
dba67fb
|
Living is a risk,' I snapped at him. 'Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you're taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety.
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Maria V. Snyder |
b629834
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Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever.
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Maria V. Snyder |
fe8beb1
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What have I earned from you, Valek? Loyalty? Respect? Trust?" "You have my attention. But give me what I want, and you can have everything."
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valek
yelena
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Maria V. Snyder |
118f8bd
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But you've slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.
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maria-v-snyder
poison-study
valek
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Maria V. Snyder |
939db32
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He made a weak attempt to look innocent, but I knew better. 'Should I guess how many concealed weapons you have or should I strip search you?' 'A strip search is the only way to be absolutely certain.' Valek's deep blue eyes danced with delight.
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Maria V. Snyder |
fbfccb6
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Poisoned, pursued and living with a psychopath. Not what I would consider the good life. Death has its perks.
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Maria V. Snyder |
9b08270
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The heart is a strange beast and not ruled by logic.
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love
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Maria V. Snyder |
59c511b
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I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here.
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Maria V. Snyder |
9cf5928
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In fact, he's never taken an interest in a woman before. I was beginning to to suspect he might prefer one of his male sneaks, but now..." She paused dramatically. "Now, we have the lovely, intelligent Yelena to get Valek's cold heart pumping." "You really should get out of your sewing room more. You need fresh air and a dose of reality," I said knowing better than to believe a word Dilana said, but unable to control the silly little grin o..
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Maria V. Snyder |
40c1fb6
|
When we reached the door, Belen stepped in the way. 'If any harm--' 'Comes to her, you'll rip out my arms. Got it,' Kerrick said. 'I'm serious,' Belen said. 'I know. Do you really think I'd put her in danger?' 'Not on purpose, but things happen that are out of control.' Kerrick gave him a tight smile. 'You mean I'm not omnipotent?' 'You're not even semi-potent.' 'Is that even a word?' Kerrick asked. 'He probably means you're impotent,' I ..
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Maria V. Snyder |
ef8399c
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Why did Mother ask you to help me rescue Gelsi?" I asked Leif. "She thought I could assist you in some way. Instead, I had tried to-" "Kill me? You can join the 'I Want to Kill Yelena Guild.' I hear they have six members in good standing. Valek is president since he had wanted to kill me twice." --Yelena to Leif"
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leif
yelena
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Maria V. Snyder |
9a2b24a
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Out of nowhere, Valek appeared before me, yelling in my ear, shaking my shoulders. Stupidly, belatedly, I realized he was the drunk. Who else but Valek could win a fight against four large men when armed only with a beer mug?
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Maria V. Snyder |
f02a7a6
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An execution order hasn't kept us apart before. There are ways to get around it. We will be together." "Is that an order?" "No, a promise."
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Maria V. Snyder |
afeb563
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I never said it would be easy. Giving up is easy.
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Maria V. Snyder |
7270407
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The others had taken Valek's return in stride, although Janco made a comment about Valek's lack of hair. 'You ever notice how couples start to look alike?' he asked. In a deadpan, Valek replied, 'Yes. In fact I was just thinking how much you and Topaz resemble each other. It's uncanny.
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Maria V. Snyder |
df90912
|
So who gave him his name?" I asked. "Kerrick," Belen answered. Not who I'd expect. "Why 'Flea'?" A full-out grin spread across Flea's face. "Cause I'm fast and hard to catch." "Because he's a pest and hard to squash," Belen said. "Because he jumps about three feet in the air when you scare him," Loren added. "Because he's annoying and makes us itch with impatience," Quain said. "Thanks, guys. I love you too." Flea made exaggerated kissing n..
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touch-of-power
belen
flea
maria-v-snyder
loren
quain
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Maria V. Snyder |
ffbc285
|
Let's go. We're supposed to rendezvous with the Captain at the lake. Oh, and try to keep the noise down. You sound like a panicked moose crashing through the woods," the smarter man chided. "Oh yeah. Like you could hear me over your specially trained 'woodland-animal footsteps,'" Rough Voice countered. "It was like listening to two deer humping each other."
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Maria V. Snyder |
0f831da
|
Another relative?" Valek asked. A broad smile stretched Moon Man's lips. "Yes. I am her mother's uncle's wife's third cousin." --Valek and Moon Man"
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valek
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Maria V. Snyder |
1c8bf9e
|
I didn't expect a knife, though. Is it the one missing from the kitchen?" "Did Rand report it?" I felt betrayed. Why hadn't he just asked for it back? "No. It just makes sense to keep track of large kitchen knives, so when one goes missing you're not surprised when someone attacks you with it."
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Maria V. Snyder |
c6af489
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There is a reason for everything. You might not be able to figure it out, and time might have made us all forget it, but the reason is there all the same.
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Maria V. Snyder |
fa0ceed
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You're right. And so was my snake.
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yelena
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Maria V. Snyder |
cb322cd
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Many have tried to kill us. All have failed. -Valek
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kill
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Maria V. Snyder |
2afaead
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To Yelena, our newest food taster. May you last longer than your predecessor.
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Maria V. Snyder |
2e9fb94
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The uniform enhanced his athletic body, and my thoughts drifted to how magnificent he would look with his uniform puddled around his feet.
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funny
uniform
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Maria V. Snyder |
972376e
|
Your mother sounds like a formidable woman," Valek said into the silence. "You have no idea," Leif replied with a sigh. "Well, if she's anything like Yelena, my deepest sympathies," Valek teased. "Hey!" Leif laughed and the tense moment dissipated. Valek handed Leif his machete. "Do you know how to use it?" "Of course. I chopped Yelena's bow into firewood," Leif joked."
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leif
valek
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Maria V. Snyder |
89f81f9
|
Yippee. I've been promoted from fire lighter to delivery boy. I'll write a letter home to Mother. She'll be so pleased." --Leif"
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storm
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Maria V. Snyder |
8053880
|
When I carved this, my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. With me.
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snake
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Maria V. Snyder |
177f642
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Oh, you made an impression. Like a stone caught in my boot.
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Maria V. Snyder |
2d2454d
|
Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you...but you slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.
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romantic
poison-study
valek
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Maria V. Snyder |
27d2892
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You can't let the past ruin your future.
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Maria V. Snyder |
0a0b787
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One, and two, and three, four, five. Keep fighting like this and you will die," Janco sang."
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Maria V. Snyder |
ccc2f05
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I want you to have this." He extended his hand. On his palm sat the beautiful butterfly he had carved. Silver spots on the wings glinted in the sunlight, and a silver chain hung from a small hole drilled into its body. Valek looped the necklace around my neck. "When I carved this statue, I was thinking about you. Delicate in appearance, but with a strength unnoticed at first glance." His eyes met mine."
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yelena
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Maria V. Snyder |
c0de2a7
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Positive thoughts lead to positive results.
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thoughts
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Maria V. Snyder |
1d5c7e2
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Don't worry. I'm only your escort tonight. I would offer to protect you from the drunken attentions of the other men, but I know all to well that you're quite capagble of holding your own. You're probably armed. Right?" Always."
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Maria V. Snyder |
afc35f5
|
Nothing says you care for me better than offering to torture my enemies." He grinned. "No sense doing things halfhearted. And to think, some girls have to endure listening to poetry." --
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trella
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Maria V. Snyder |
2ec3b4a
|
Pushing magic toward the candle, I willed it to light. Nothing happened. Irys made a strangled sound and the candle burned. "Are you directing your magic to the candle?" "Yes. Why?" "You just ordered me to light the candle for you," Irys said in exasperation. "And did it."
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magic
humour
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Maria V. Snyder |
c584101
|
I didn't want or expect this. But I couldn't resist you.
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Maria V. Snyder |
736a83b
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Nice Kerrick was scarier than Mean Kerrick.
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Maria V. Snyder |
fc1dc03
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I understood that Valek's loyalty to the Commander was without question. His blue eyes held a fierce determination and I knew in my soul that Valek would take his own life after he had taken mine.
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Maria V. Snyder |