Graceling Quotes

“She couldn’t have him, and there was no mistaking it. She could never be his wife. She could not steal herself back from Randa only to give herself away again—belong to another person, be answerable to another person, build her very being around another person. No matter how she loved him.”

“If she took Po as a husband, she would be making promises about a future she couldn’t yet see. For once she became his wife, she would be his wife forever. And no matter how much freedom Po gave her, she would always know it was a gift. Her freedom wouldn’t be her own; it would be Po’s to give or withhold. That he would never withhold it made no difference. If it did not come from her, it wasn’t hers.”

“Lord Davit,” she said, “have you a wife?” He shook his head. “It’s the only thing my estate lacks, My Lady.” Katsa kept her eyes on her venison and carrots. “My uncle is very disappointed in me, because I never intend to marry.”

“And she would be married, and to Giddon. She would be his wife, the lady of his house. She’d be charged with entertaining his wretched guests. Expected to hire and dismiss his servants, based on their skill with a pastry, or some such nonsense. Expected to bear him children, and stay at home to love them. She would go to bed at night, Giddon’s bed, and lie with a man who considered a scratch to her face an affront to his person. A man who thought himself her protector—her protector when she could outduel him if she used a toothpick to his sword.”

“You know I’d never expect you to change who you are, if you were my wife,” he finally said. “It would change me to be your wife,” she said. He watched her eyes.“Yes. I understand you.”

“I don’t want to go back to my home. I’ve been thinking of staying here, where it’s peaceful and far away from everyone. I—I want to be alone.”

“Sometimes members of the court would come by to watch her practices. But if she caught their gaze, their eyes would drop and they would hurry on.”

“Most people won’t look into my eyes,” she said. “Most people fear them.”

“The girl paused. Then she leaned and held her hand out to Katsa. Something welled up inside Katsa, something she couldn’t quite name. A sort of sad gladness at this little creature who wanted to touch her.”

“Her Grace was not killing. Her Grace was survival.”

“What’s the matter, Po? Do you fear me?” “Yes, I fear you, as I should when you’re angry. I won’t fight you when you’re angry. Nor should you fight me when I’m angry. That’s not the purpose of these practices.”

“His Grace has been a secret since he was a child, Kat. His mother knew he’d only be used as a tool, if the truth came out.”

″[Katsa] knew her nature. She would recognize it if she came face-to-face with it. It would be a blue-eyed, green-eyed monster, wolflike and snarling. A vicious beast that struck out at friends in uncontrollable anger, and killer that offered itself as the vessel of the king’s fury.”

“Helda,” Katsa said, “how much time do you suppose I spend wondering which of the gentlemen finds me beautiful?” “Not enough.”

“Katsa,” he said. “Listen to me. You’re the most powerful person I’ve ever met. You can do whatever you want, whatever you want in the world. No one can make you do anything, and your uncle can’t touch you. The instant you walk into his presence, you have all the power. If you wish not to hurt him, Katsa, then you have only to choose not to.”

“My brothers gave me that name when I was little. It’s a kind of tree in Lienid, the po tree. In autumn its leaves turn silver and gold. Inevitable nickname, I guess.” Katsa wondered if the name had been given fondly, or it had been an attempt by Po’s brothers to isolate him—to remind him always that he was a Graceling.

“I know you’re teasing me. And you should know I’m not easily humiliated. You may hunt for my food, and pound me every time we fight, and protect me when we’re attacked, if you like. I’ll thank you for it.”

′ “Does anyone teach girls of the inn to protect themselves?” she asked. “Do you carry a knife?” “Our father protects us, and our brother,” the girl said, simply. Katsa wondered if other girls in Sunder, and across the seven kingdoms, carried, knives; or if they all looked to their fathers and brothers for every protection.′

“Katsa found that the more comfortable she grew with opening her mind to him, the more practiced she became with closing it as well.”

“You’re not an unnatural woman, Katsa. You can fight as other women can’t, but you’re not so different from other women. You’ll want babies. I’m certain of it.”

″[Katsa] practiced every day. She learned her own speed and her own explosive force. She learned the angle, position, and intensity of a killing blow versus a maiming blow. She learned how to disarm a man and how to break his leg. She learned to fight with a sword and with knives and daggers. She was so fast and focused, so creative, she could find a way to beat a man senseless with both arms tied to her sides.”

“I’ve had to spend my entire life hammering out the emotions of others, and myself, in my mind. If my mind is clearer, sometimes, than yours, it’s because I’ve had more practice.”