Quotes From "The Midnight Star" By Marie Lu

Don’t be afraid, ” he says with a half smile. “You’re with me.” His hand tightens around my wrist, tugging me down again playfully. And this time, I feel safe enough to take a deep breath of my own and do as he says. Marie Lu

If I’ve learned anything from my past and my present, it’s the power of fear. You can give your subjects all the generosity in the world, and still they will demand more. But those who are afraid don’t fight back. I know this well enough. Marie Lu

You think me cruel.”“ No.” Magiano hesitates for a long moment. “Maybe a little.”“ I’m not branding them because I am cruel, ” I say calmly. “I’m doing it as a reminder of what they’ve done to us. To the marked. You’re so quick to forget.”“ I never forget, ” Magiano replies. This time, there is a slight sharpness to his tone. His hand hovers near his side, where his childhood wound continues to plague him. “But branding the unmarked with your crest will not make them any more loyal to you.”“ It makes them fear me.”“ Fear works best with some love, ” Magiano says. “Show them that you can be terrifying, yet generous.” The gold bands in his braids clink. “Let the people love you a little, mi Adelinetta. . Marie Lu

We might not return from this voyage. None of us. We might all lay down our lives when we reach the end, and not ever know whether our sacrifice changed anything for the better.”“ It will be for the better, ” Magiano replies. “We cannot just die, not without trying. Not without fighting.”“ Do you really believe that?” I ask. “Why are we doing this, anyway? To preserve my own life, and yours–but what has the world ever done for us in order to deserve our sacrifice?” Magiano’s brows furrow for a moment, then he leans in closer. “We exist because this world exists. It’s a responsibility of ours, whether or not anyone will remember it.” He nods at me. “And they will. Because we will return and make sure of it. . Marie Lu

You cannot harden your heart to the future just because of your past. You cannot use cruelty against yourself to justify cruelty to others. Marie Lu

No. I cannot let him control me. You are mine, Adelina, Enzo growls. Turn your powers against your own fleet. Marie Lu

I laugh at him, and behind us, several Inquisitors stir in surprise at the sound. Only Magiano can coax joy out of me so easily. Marie Lu

After a lifetime of darkness, I want to leave something behind that is made of light. Marie Lu

Said the man to the sun, "How I wish you could shine your light on every day of my life! " Said the sun to the man, "But only with the rain and the night could you recognize my light."--- Domaccan poem, translated by Chevalle Marie Lu

One heroic act doesn’t make a man trustworthy. What if he decides to turn his blade on you? Marie Lu

Trusting me, ” Teren murmurs, “is a dangerous game, mi Adelinetta.”“I’m doing more than that, ” I reply. “For the rest of this journey, you will be my personal guard.” At that, Teren’s eyes flare with surprise and anger. “I’m not your lackey, Your Majesty.”“And I’m not Giulietta, ” I fire back. Marie Lu

Make no mistake–we don’t trust each other, not by any stretch of the imagination. Marie Lu

After she was gone, I sheathed her sword at my belt, draped her cloak over my shoulders, carried her heart in my arms, and, somehow, went on. Marie Lu

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen. Marie Lu

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 que Marie Lu

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. Marie Lu

When Compasia took pity on me, she reached down into the Underworld, touched the shoulder of Moritas, and asked her forgiveness. Then Compasia took my sister in her arms and placed her in the sky, where she, too, turned to stardust. Magiano looks at me, his eyes wide. It seems as if he already, somehow, understands.“ My goddess made me a promise, ” I whisper. Only now do I realize that I have never seen him cry before. In the stories, Compasia and her human lover would descend each night from the stars to walk the mortal world, before vanishing with the dawn. So, together, we stare at the sky, waiting. . Marie Lu

I suppose you come in here often, then, ” I say, half teasing. “Bringing your maids and admirers?” Magiano frowns at that. He shakes his head. “You think I’m bedding every maid I speak to?” he says and shrugs. “Flattered, Your Majesty. But you are very wrong.”“ So, what you’re telling me is that you come to this secret space alone?” He tilts his head in a flirtatious way. “What’s wrong with a thief wanting a little private time now and then?” He comes closer. His breath warms my skin like the fog that hovers over the water. “Of course, here you are. I suppose I’m not alone, after all. . Marie Lu

The fire in you burns as fiercely as it did when I first met you. Marie Lu

Let go of me, ” I choke out, clawing blindly at Teren. The sharp tang of blood suddenly fills my nostrils, and I realize that it is from his wrists, spreading a film of scarlet around us. Somewhere ahead, the silhouette of our ship looms. We are getting closer.“ I wish I could, ” Teren spits, dripping venom. “There’s nothing I’d like to see more than you in the Underworld, Adelina.”His words spark my fury. He never intended to finish this journey with you. Teren grips my arm again so hard that I scream in pain. He is pulling us both toward the ship, his face set in grim determination. Then I hear him shout, “But I won’t.” But I won’t. My fury wavers, turning into bewilderment. . Marie Lu

I stare at him, trying to comprehend what he’s done. He saved Magiano from falling overboard. He saved me. He is taking this mission seriously, however much he loathes us.“ Maybe next time, ” he says to me with that smile, “you won’t be so lucky. Marie Lu

But you can’t give them everything they want–they will always want more than they have. Marie Lu

What if you are wrong? What if the gods sent you, and indeed the rest of us, not because we were never meant to be, but because we were always meant to be? Marie Lu

I smile bitterly at him, then weave an illusion of his face across my own. Raffaele’s expression flickers in surprise for a moment before settling back into its pool of calm. “They may have a hard time finding me, ” I reply. Raffaele gives me a tight smile in return. “Do not underestimate your enemies, Your Majesty, ” he says. Marie Lu

I have everything I could ever want here, Adelina, ” he finally says. “You’ve handed me what feels like the world’s riches, a palace, a life of luxury.” He draws closer. “I get to be at your side. What more do I need? Marie Lu

As you can see, I keep my word, ” I call to the rest of the crowd. “Do not take advantage of my generosity, and I will not take advantage of your weakness. Marie Lu

Watch your back, little wolf, they say. Enemies arise from unexpected places. Marie Lu

It will be impossible to catch all the rats, my love, ” he says. His hand brushes against mine. “Sooner or later, one will squeeze through the cracks. You need to be more careful. Marie Lu

I shake my head. “I know, ” I reply. “You are searching for her too.” We stand for a moment, staring out at the stars mirrored in the calm seas. I know why Magiano doesn’t look at me. I remind him too much of her.“ I’m sorry, ” I whisper, after a long pause.“ Don’t be.” A small, sad smile touches his lips. “She chose it. Marie Lu