I saw her, once.
She passed through our village, through fields littered with dead soldiers after her forces overwhelmed the nation of Dumor. Her other Elites followed and then rows of white-robed Inquisitors, wielding the white-and-silver banners of the White Wolf. Where they went, the sky dimmed and the ground cracked —the clouds gathered behind the army as if a creature alive, black and churning in fury.
As if the goddess of Death herself had come.
I saw her, once.
She passed through our village, through fields littered with dead soldiers after her forces overwhelmed the nation of Dumor. Her other Elites followed and then rows of white-robed Inquisitors, wielding the white-and-silver banners of the White Wolf. Where they went, the sky dimmed and the ground cracked—the clouds gathered behind the army as if a creature alive, black and churning in fury. As if the goddess of Death herself had come.
She paused to look down at one of our dying soldiers. He trembled on the ground, but his eyes stayed on her. He spat something at her. She only stared back at him. I don’t know what he saw in her expression, but his muscles tightened, his legs pushing against the dirt as he tried in vain to get away from her. Then the man started to scream. It is a sound I shall never forget as long as I live. She nodded to her Rainmaker, and he descended from his horse to plunge a sword through the dying soldier. Her face did not change at all. She simply rode on.
I never saw her again. But even now, as an old man, I remember her as clearly as if she were standing before me. She was ice personified. There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.
@booksociety event: to me, she is royalty ➟ the young elites (by marie lu)
where they went, the sky dimmed and the ground cracked—the clouds gathered behind the army as if a creature alive, black and churning in fury. as if the goddess of death herself had come.
Someday, when I am nothing but dust and wind, what tale will they tell about me?
Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.
books read in 2016: the rose society by marie lu
(part i) — in return, she destroyed them all.
My illusions make them afraid and, in turn, their fear makes me stronger.
“I reach the throne. It’s beautiful, an ornate structure of gold and silver and stone. Lying in the center of its cushion is Guiletta’s former crown, heavy with gems. I reach down and pick it up, admiring the jewels and they wink in the light, running my fingers along their hard surfaces. I walk once around the throne, gripping the crown. This is mine. I lift the crown to my head, then put it on. It is heavy. I sit in the chair, I lean back and rest my arms on its sides.
This is what I have fought so hard for, what I sacrificed and bled so much for. This is everything I ever wanted―revenge against my enemies for what they’ve done to me. And I’ve achieved it. My revenge is complete.
I force a smile on my face. In the silence, I sit alone on my throne and wait eagerly for all the satisfaction and triumph to hit me. I wait, and wait, and wait.
But it doesn’t come. ” - Adelina Amouteru, The Rose Society
Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends.
Then they betrayed her, and she d e s t r o y e d them all.
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
It is my turn to use.
My turn to hurt.