The moon disappeared behind a cloud. Eugenides was only a dark form against the darker water behind him. "Before you make a decision," he said, "I wa… - Megan Whalen Turner

In the shocked aftermath, I said, "We'll give them a second chance."
With my right hand, I reached to the other pocket. I had known as soon as I lifted the false bottom of the gun case and looked underneath what it meant. I had tried without ceasing to find some alternative to Attolia's ruthless advice, and I had failed. Gen's fit reassured me that I had not failed for lack of trying. He had seen no other solution himself.
I lifted out the matching gun and read the archaic inscription. Realisa onum. Not "The queen made me," but "I make the king."

How could you come once a week to talk about the weather and not mention a war?"
Eddis sighed. "Will you sit down and stop shouting?"
"I'll stop shouting. I won't sit down. I might need to throw more inkpots.

The minister of war snorted. "Not if he had to follow you on a horse," he said.