Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White

- В этой жизни и в следующей, как и в тысячах других, я выберу тебя.

- Если хочешь провести со мной жизнь, Ксан Тэмурэцзэнь, тогда поклянись этой ночью, что найдешь меня в следующем перерождении.

- Сун Лянь, я люблю тебя. Я желаю последовать за тобой и в следующую жизнь, и в десять тысяч тех, что будут после нее.

“I have seen era after era and dynasty after dynasty of powerful rulers,” Sòng Lián said quietly. “All they have sought is more power. All they have served is themselves. It is time power served the people of this land.”

“If you want a lifetime with me, Xan Temurezen,” she said, “then make me a vow tonight that you will find me again in our next lives.”

“What do you think we would be doing in our other lives?” The stars winked above them, innumerable and filled with infinite possibilities.
“Hmm. You would still be smashing teacups into my face—”
“That was in self-defense!” she exclaimed.
“—and bathing in fountains of holy waters from the moon—”
She turned to give him a playful shove. “How was I supposed to know? It isn’t as if they put up a sign that said ‘Holy water from the tears of the moon here. Do not drink or bathe.’ ”

“Without power, we are nothing. And I refuse to be nothing.”

The imperial line’s end goal was not ruling this kingdom. Power was their end goal, and they would gladly burn down the kingdom for it.

He was himself again.
And he hated every bit of it.

He lived to right the wrongs of the past.

We want the same thing, but we’ve chosen different paths to it.

It was simple, really.
She had given her heart to a boy.
And he had given his soul to a demon.
He no longer existed.

Hope was a cruel thing.

He had no friends. Only allies.