Kingdom of Ash Quotes

“And then finally, Aelin sat upon her throne. It weighed on her, nestled against her bones, that new burden.
No longer an assassin. No longer a rogue princess.
And when Aelin lifted her head to survey the cheering crowd, when she smiled, Queen of Terrasen and the Faerie Queen of the West, she burned bright as a star.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Aelin turned toward them. Toward all those who had come with her, who had gotten them to this day, this joyous ringing of the bells. She beckoned her court forward. Then smiled at Dorian and Chaol, at Yrene and Nesryn and Sartaq and their companions. And beckoned them forward, too. Brows rising, they approached.
But Aelin, crowned and glowing, only said, “Walk with me.” She gestured to the gates behind her. “All of you.”
This day did not belong to her alone. Not at all.
And when they all balked, Aelin walked forward. Took Yrene Westfall by the hand to guide her to the front. Then Manon Blackbeak. Elide Lochan. Lysandra. Evangeline. Nesryn Faliq. Borte and Hasar and Ansel of Briarcliff.
All the women who had fought by her side, or from afar. Who had bled and sacrificed and never given up hope that this day might come. “Walk with me,” Aelin said to them, the men and males falling into step behind. “My friends.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“A new world.
A better world.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Faster and faster, Aelin and Rowan had danced, spinning, spinning, spinning, the queen glowing like she’d been freshly forged as the music gathered into a clashing close. And when the waltz slammed into its triumphant, final note, they halted—a perfect, sudden stop. Right before the queen threw her arms around Rowan and kissed him.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“For it was friendship that had grown here, even in war. True friendship, to last beyond the oceans that would separate them once more.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“It is only a few days by wyvern from the Wastes to Rifthold.” Her eyes were wary, and yet—yet that was a slight smile. “I think Bronwen and Petrah will be able to lead if I occasionally slip away. To help with rukhin.”
He saw the promise in her eyes, in that hint of a smile. Both of them still grieving, still broken in places, but in this new world of theirs… perhaps they might heal. Together.
“You could just marry each other,” Yrene said, and Dorian whipped his head to her, incredulous. “It’d make it easier for you both, so you don’t need to pretend.”
Chaol gaped at his wife.
Yrene shrugged. “And be a strong alliance for our two kingdoms.”
Dorian knew his face was red when he turned to Manon, apologies and denials on his lips. But Manon smirked at Yrene, her silver-white hair lifting in the breeze, as if reaching for the united people who would soon soar westward. That smirk softened as she mounted Abraxos and gathered up the reins. “We’ll see,” was all Manon Blackbeak, High Queen of the Crochans and Ironteeth, said before she and wyvern leaped into the skies.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“So he sent the words along it, with as much hope and fury and unrelenting love as he had felt from her. I will find you.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“I promised to always find you. I promised you, and you promised me. I came for you because of it; I am here because of it. I am here for you, do you understand?”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“For a moment, Aelin and Yrene just stared at each other.
“We’re a long way from Innish,” Yrene whispered.
“But lost no longer,” Aelin whispered back, voice breaking as they embraced. The two women who had held the fate of their world between them. Who had saved it.
Behind them, Chaol wiped at his face. Rowan, ducking his head, did the same.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“And then Aelin stood before Dorian and Chaol, and Rowan stepped back, falling into line beside Aedion, Fenrys, Lorcan, Elide, Ren, and Lysandra. Their fledgling court—the court that would change this world. Rebuild it.
Giving their queen space for this last, hardest good-bye.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“She felt as if she had been crying without end for minutes now. Yet this parting, this final farewell… Aelin looked at Chaol and Dorian and sobbed. Opened her arms to them, and wept as they held each other.
“I love you both,” she whispered. “And no matter what may happen, no matter how far we may be, that will never change.”
“We will see you again,” Chaol said, but even his voice was thick with tears.
“Together,” Dorian breathed, shaking. “We’ll rebuild this world together.”
She couldn’t stand it, this ache in her chest. But she made herself pull away and smile at their tear-streaked faces, a hand on her heart. “Thank you for all you have done for me.”
Dorian bowed his head. “Those are words I’d never thought I’d hear from you.”
She barked a rasping laugh, and gave him a shove. “You’re a king now. Such insults are beneath you.”
He grinned, wiping at his face.
Aelin smiled at Chaol, at his wife waiting beyond him. “I wish you every happiness,” she said to him. To them both. Such light shone in Chaol’s bronze eyes—that she had never seen before.
“We will see each other again,” he repeated.
Then he and Dorian turned toward their horses, toward the bright day beyond the castle gates. Toward their kingdom to the south. Shattered now, but not forever.
Not forever.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Rowan ignored the faint ache that lingered there from the tattoos she’d helped him ink the night before. Gavriel’s name, rendered in the Old Language. Exactly how the Lion had once tattooed the names of his fallen warriors on himself. Fenrys and Lorcan, a tentative peace between them, also now bore the tattoo—had demanded one as soon as they’d caught wind of what Rowan planned to do.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Aedion, however, had asked Rowan for a different design. To add Gavriel’s name to the Terrasen knot already inked over his heart. Aedion had been quiet while Rowan had worked—quiet enough that Rowan had begun telling him the stories. Story after story about the Lion. The adventures they’d shared, the lands they’d seen, the wars they’d waged. Aedion hadn’t spoken while Rowan had talked and worked, the scent of his grief conveying enough.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Will you let me cry in bed for the rest of today like a pathetic worm,” she asked at last, “if I promise to get to work on rebuilding tomorrow?”
Rowan arched a brow, joy flowing through him, free and shining as a stream down a mountain. “Would you like me to bring you cakes and chocolate so your wallowing can be complete?”
“If you can find any.”
“You destroyed the Wyrdkeys and slew Maeve. I think I can manage to find you some sweets.”
“As you once said to me, it was a group effort. It might also require one to acquire cakes and chocolate.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Rowan laughed, and kissed the top of her head. And for a long moment, he just marveled that he could do it. Could stand with her here, in this kingdom, this city, this castle, where they would make their home. He could see it now: the halls restored to their splendor, the plain and river sparkling beyond, the Staghorns beckoning. He could hear the music she’d bring to this city, and the laughter of the children in the streets. In these halls. In their royal suite.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, peering up at his face.
Rowan brushed a kiss to her mouth. “That I get to be here. With you.”
“There’s lots of work to be done. Some might say as bad as dealing with Erawan.”
“Nothing will ever be that bad.”
She snorted. “True.
He tucked her in closer. “I am thinking about how very grateful I am. That we made it. That I found you. And how, even with all that work to be done, I will not mind a moment of it because you are with me.”
She frowned, her eyes dampening. “I’m going to have a terrible headache from all this crying, and you’re not helping.”
Rowan laughed, and kissed her again. “Very queenly.”
She hummed. “I am, if anything, the consummate portrait of royal grace.”
He chuckled against her mouth. “And humility. Let’s not forget that.”
“Oh, yes,” she said, winding her arms around his neck. His blood heated, sparkling with a power greater than any force a god or Wyrdkey could summon.
But Rowan pulled away, just far enough to rest his brow against hers. “Let’s get you to your chambers, Majesty, so you can commence your royal wallowing.”
She shook with laughter. “I might have something else in mind now.”
Rowan let out a growl, and nipped at her ear, her neck. “Good, I do, too.”
“And tomorrow?” she asked breathlessly, and they both paused to look at each other. To smile. “Will you work to rebuild this kingdom, this world, with me tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, and every day after that.” For every day of the thousand years they were granted together. And beyond.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Aelin kissed him again and took his hand, guiding him into the castle. Into their home. “To whatever end?” she breathed.
Rowan followed her, as he had his entire life, long before they had ever met, before their souls had sparked into existence. “To whatever end, Fireheart.” He glanced sidelong at her. “Can I give you a suggestion for what we should rebuild first?”
Aelin smiled, and eternity opened before them, shining and glorious and lovely. “Tell me tomorrow.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“When the loss of her human form lingered like a phantom limb. Other times, on the days when she woke clear-eyed and smiling, he’d shift and sail on those mountain winds, soaring over the city, or Oakwald, or the Staghorns. As he loved to do, as he did when his heart was troubled or full of joy.
She knew it was the latter that sent him flying these days.
She would never stop being grateful for that. For the light, the life in Rowan’s eyes.
The same light she knew shone in her own.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“But Aelin didn’t turn as he rushed onto the balcony. And halted, too. In silence, they stared. Bells began pealing; people shouted. Not with fear. But with wonder.
A hand rising to her mouth, Aelin scanned the broad sweep of the world. The mountain wind brushed away her tears, carrying with it a song, ancient and lovely. From the very heart of Oakwald. The very heart of the earth.
Rowan twined his fingers in hers and whispered, awe in every word, “For you, Fireheart. All of it is for you.”
Aelin wept then. Wept in joy that lit her heart, brighter than any magic could ever be.
For across every mountain, spread beneath the green canopy of Oakwald, carpeting the entire Plain of Theralis, the kingsflame was blooming.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Tell Erawan, Dorian said, halting on the windowsill, that I did it for Adarlan.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“The Lord of the North landed, the immortal flame within his antlers shining bright as he began the charge. The army around and behind her flowed down the hillside, gaining with each step, barreling toward Morath’s back ranks.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“The queen had come home at last. The queen had come to hold the gate.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“She lifted it high to the night sky, to the stars, and let her cry of victory fill the world.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“This is life, Yrene. We never stop learning. Even at my age.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Tell me tomorrow.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Welcome to the court, pup,” he said, his voice thick.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“the art of making his men want to follow him, die for him. But more than that, seeing them as men, as people with families and friends,”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“I love you.” It was the only thing that mattered in the end. The only thing that mattered now.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“Four blinks. I am here, I am with you.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“A horse whose name meant butterfly—stomping all over Valg foot soldiers.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash

“We could start a secret society--for people who don't sleep well.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash