661 Quotes by Storm Constantine

Over her head, Merlan grimaced at Lord Maycarpe, for they were both used to the queen’s somewhat forthright manner, but instead of returning the grimace as usual, Maycarpe’s gaze was fixed on Shan. Merlan had never seen such an expression on his employer’s face: amazement and what looked like greed.

Tonight, even though he was not physically present, Tayven’s spiritual presence was very much in evidence. Merlan could feel it, like a creature crowded in the dark, ready to leap out and hiss.

Tayven was not only alive, but had returned in some manner to the life he had known. He was not like Taropat, hidden away. The sketchy picture drawn by the scant words Shad had heard that night did not resemble the portrait Taropat had painted of the beautiful serene mystic. Dangerous? Better? What happened to Tayven after Khaster had fled? How had he survived?

They were part of the same pattern. In his guts, Shan was sure they had to meet.

Akahana was dizzying, mainly because it seemed to be several different places at once. On the surface, it was all hustle and heat, yet Shan was immediately aware of a dark and inscrutable undercurrent-magic hanging in the air, as Sinaclara had foretold. It also seemed as if if the ancient past was very close to the present and that it would be possible, either accidentally or otherwise to slip between the two.

The general was almost exactly as Shan had imagined him: tall, aloof and with a mystifying Mewtish character, as if he continually guarded secrets.

The dragon is the spirit of the world, inherent in every living thing, and even in inanimate objects. Its claw is deadly. It can rake out the eyes of a nation, sunder its heart.

I want to hate you, yet I can’t. There is something more to you than what you show, something I don’t know.

When he sat upon his throne there, the empress’s hand would be forever upon his shoulder, lightly but firmly.