the dark side & the light

“You are all I’ve ever wanted,” he said. “You are the whole of my heart.”

“But no matter who or what I was, I would have been yours.”

“I have loved you all my life, Mal,” I whispered through my tears. “There is no end to our story.”

Because that look – that open, eager, happy look – had been for me. Because I would always be the first person he turned to when he saw something lovely, and I would do the same. Whether I was a Saint or a queen or the most powerful Grisha who ever lived, I would always turn to him.

and one of my personal favorites:

He would kiss her neck and whisper new names in her ear: beauty, beloved, cherished, my heart.

“No, Alina. You came here for Ravka. For the firebird. To lead the Second Army.” He tapped the sun over his heart. “I came here for you. You’re my flag. You’re my nation.”

Mal, you’re here. What for? 

Cardinal north is a direction on a map. True north? True north is home. It is where you feel safe.  And loved. You have always been my true north Mal. And if I am to survive this, I need to be home again. With you.