1
" Lady Linnea said,
“I don’t think you understand the balance of relationships. They are give-and-take.Gemma is my best friend,Gemma has my loyalty because she’s earned it, and I have Gemma’s trust because I’ve earned it.”
She tilted her head and studied Prince Toril with pursed lips.
“It takes work to build a lasting relationship, My Lord. You cannot expect someone to give you their everything just because.”
“I don’t think I understand,” Prince Toril said.
Lady Linnea said, stopping their stroll down the hallway.
“Allow me to rephrase it. A friendship is filled only with as much love as YOU give. Gemma has my heart because I chose to give it to her. And my choice paid off, because there is no one in this horrible, tattered world that I trust more than Gemma Kielland. And so we are two best friends, walking together to achieve what neither of us could do alone. Do you understand it now? "
― K.M. Shea , Rumpelstiltskin (Timeless Fairy Tales, #4)
2
" Stil snorted. “I am not in love with Angelique. I’m in love with you,” he said, scooting closer.
Gemma pushed her chair away.
“Well, that’s not proper.”
“Why not?” Stil asked, butting his chair up against Gemma’s.
“Because of the age difference.”
“Age difference?”
“Of course. Surely you can’t be a day younger than fifty or sixty,” Gemma said in surprise.
Stil’s jaw dropped.
“You think I’m an OLD MAN?!” Stil thundered.
“Most magic users are not the age they physically appear to be,” Gemma said.“And it is well known that they age much more slowly.”
“You think I’m an OLD MAN?!” he repeated, his voice even louder.
“I’m not even twenty-five yet, you mean-spirited mule, and my clothes are fashionable among mages!” Stil said.
“This whole time you’ve thought I am OLD?”
“I get the impression that offends you.”
“IT DOES.”
Gemma only lifted her eyebrows.
“Aren’t you going to apologize?” Stil asked.
“For what?”
“For thinking I’m OLD!”
Gemma shrugged. “It seems you have only yourself to blame for that misunderstanding.”
Stil glowered "
― K.M. Shea , Rumpelstiltskin (Timeless Fairy Tales, #4)
