Quotes from Storm Constantine

Here we are in darkness," Tayven said, "And for us, if we did not know better, this light would be all that existed. But we do know better. We know that outside the cave the world is bathed in light.

Yesterday you spoke of prayers to appease your god, and no interference in divine activity. In fact, you reprimanded me. Now, I am essential. Your turns of mind confuse me, Q'orveh.

We should havest our sustenance, not beg for it!

Come now, Tay, don't be coy," Bayard said. "I've always coveted you. You know that, don't you, hiding as you do behind Almorante's bed curtains. He's not here now. Give me a kiss.

This was a court of men; no women were present to witness the judgment of Shemyaza, seducer of all women.

I don't want you to want me, but only to want yourself. We won't know each other for long.

One man told me he did not like what looked out of my eyes. How could I respond to that? He was clearly seeing the truth of me; for all my pious motives, a dangerous killer.

As a baker, Seladis knew it was essential to establish an almost spiritual relationship with your stove, because they could be capricious. He intended to honour that code and keep his beast sweet, since he expected to work at home in the evenings.

You say you do not see a king in me, and you may be right, but all I see in you is a bullying child.

Leeth herself had no particular interest in Fineas Rigg. She accepted he was attractive in a rakish sort of way, but she disliked the aura of cold callousness that seemed to surround him.

Only the patron families in Sacramante were aware of more intimate needs, as predators for obvious reasons. To other humans, any creature needing to feed on their ichor for survival were simply legends; no more real to them than faeries and ghosts.

He did not want to believe in ghosts, and he feared his own madness.

Creatures that feed upon blood are abhorred and feared by the majority of humans.

You have been my solace, my exorcism, but perhaps my place is beside his tomb, celibate and beautiful.

The man uses his imagination to follow an object of fascination. He is tantalised by the chase, but also tantalises the prey. He does not want to move from his lonely home, because the reality of life might not match up to his imagination.

Bayard is not exactly the sort of person anyone could describe as a friend," he said. "He exists in a universe populated solely by himself.

You will need powerful friends in Magrast, as your father did. Your future lies here, Valraven.

She regarded herself as a true professional; 50 percent carbon-steel image, honed to glittering perfection, 45 per cent killer class business woman, 5 per cent dangerous psychotic.

Shem is opaque at the best of times, but I know he still feels confused. The role of divine kingship has been thrust upon him and I think part of him resents it." "As his vizier, he considers it your job to answer the questions in his heart." Daniel nodded with a sad smile. "That's true. I keep failing him.

She told herself she wanted to know what was in his mind. She told herself she was intrigued by him because of his relationship with Valraven. But in her heart she knew the truth: there was power in him that he could show her, that she could learn about, power that Ellony could never have. Also, he was very attractive.

Had some ancient race preyed upon humanity in some way, so that certain conditions of death now echoed those old legends?

Looking back, I feel that a beast was loosed in me in Lansaal-it was certainly loosed in Beth-an ancient beast from ancient times, which lurks still within the hearts of our people, waiting for the scent of terrified blood to wake it from sleep.

Wine flowed from fountains, down into the mouths of those who lay in the pools beneath them. Narcotic fumes oozed from cubes of incense that smouldered in human skulls. I saw men and women of incredible beauty, like glaciers or naked flames. All were dancing, dancing.

Perhaps, in a way, she really had become a queen of the dead, as once her dreams had prophesied.