The Night Court Quotes

“I frowned at the eye in my palm. "What, literally shout at the tattoo?"
"You could try rubbing it on certain body areas and I might come faster.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“What have you done to me?"
Rhysand stood, running a hand through his short, dark hair. It's custom in my court for bargains to be permanently marked upon flesh."
I rubbed my left forearm and hand, the entirety of which was now covered in swirls and whorls of black ink. Even my fingers weren't spared, and a large eye was tattooed in the center of my palm. It was feline, and its slitted pupil stared right back me.
"Make it go away," I said, and he laughed.
"You humans are truly grateful creatures, aren't you?”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Rhys released my elbow only to slip a hand around my waist, pressing me into his side as he whispered in my ear, 'Hold on.'

Then darkness roared, a wind tearing me this way and that, the ground falling away beneath me, the world gone around me. Only Rhys remained, and I hated him as I clung to him, I hated him with my entire heart-

Then the darkness vanished.

I smelled jasmine first- then saw stars. A sea of stars flickering beyond glowing pillars of moonstone that framed the sweeping views of endless snowcapped mountains.

'Welcome to the Night Court,' was all Rhys said.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“It was the most beautiful place I'd ever seen.

Whatever building we were in had been perched atop one of the grey-stoned mountains. The hall around us was open to the elements, no windows to be found, just towering pillars and gossamer curtains, swaying in that jasmine-scented breeze.

It must be some magic to keep the air warm in the dead of winter. Not to mention the altitude, or the snow coating the mountains, mighty winds sending veils of it drifting off the peaks like wandering mist.

Little seating, dining, and work areas dotted the hall, sectioned off with those curtains or lush plants or thick rugs scattered over the moonstone floor. A few balls of light bobbed on the breeze, along with coloured-glass lanterns dangling from the arches of the ceiling.

Not a scream, not a shout, not a plea to be heard.

Behind me, a wall of white marble arose, broken occasionally by open doorways leading into dim stairwells.
...
'This is my private residence,' Rhys said casually.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“Why is it so warm in here, when winter is in full blast out there?'

'Magic.'

'Obviously,' I set down my teaspoon and sipped, nearly sighing at the rush of heat and smoky, rich flavour. 'But why?'

Rhys scanned the wind tearing through the peaks. 'You heat a house in the winter- why shouldn't I heat this place as well? I'll admit I don't know why my predecessors built a palace fit for the Summer Court in the middle of a mountain range that's mildly warm at best, but who am I to question?”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“At last, Lucien looked at me. At us.

He said, 'There are children laughing in the streets.'

I blinked. He said it with such... quiet surprise. As if he hadn't heard the sound in a long, long time.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“When- when are you taking me there?' If I had to go underground, had to see those kinds of horrors again... I'd beg him- beg him not to take me. I didn't care how pathetic it made me. I'd lost any sort of qualms about what lines I'd cross to survive.

'I'm not.' He rolled his shoulders. 'This is my home, and the court beneath it is my... occupation, as you mortals call it. I do not like for the two to overlap very often.'

My brows rose slightly. '"You mortals"?'

Starlight danced along the planes of his face. 'Should I consider you something different?'

A challenge, I shoved away my irritation at the amusement again tugging at the corners of his lips, and instead said, 'And the other denizens of your court?' The Night Court territory was enormous- bigger than any other in Prythian. And all around us were those empty, snow-blasted mountains. No sign of towns, cities, or anything.

'Scattered throughout, dwelling as they wish. Just as you are now free to roam where you wish.'

'I wish to roam home.'

Rhys laughed.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“My high-waisted peach pants were loose and billowing, gathered at the ankles with velvet cuffs of bright gold. The long sleeves of the matching top were made of gossamer, also gathered at the wrists, and the top itself hung just to my navel, revealing a sliver of skin as I walked.

Comfortable, easy to move in- to run. Feminine. Exotic.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“We're one of the three Solar Courts,' he said, motioning for me to sit with a graceful twist of his wrist. 'Our nights are far more beautiful and our sunsets and dawns are exquisite, but we do adhere to the laws of nature.'

I slid into the upholstered chair across from him. His tunic was unbuttoned at the neck, revealing a hint of the tanned chest beneath. 'And do the other courts choose not to?'

'The nature of the Seasonal Courts,' he said, 'is linked to their High Lords, whose magic and will keeps them in eternal spring, or winter, or fall, or summer. It has always been like that- some sort of strange stagnation. But the Solar Courts- Day, Dawn, and Night- are of a more... symbolic nature. We might be powerful, but even we cannot alter the sun's path or strength. Tea?'

The sunlight danced along the curve of the silver teapot. I kept my eager nod to a restrained dip of my chin. 'But you will find,' Rhysand went on, pouring a cup for me,' that our nights are more spectacular- so spectacular that some in my territory even awaken at sunset and go to bed at dawn, just to live under the starlight.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“While Under the Mountain had been a series of halls and rooms and levels, this... this was truly a city.

The walkway that Mor led us down was an avenue, and around us, rising high into gloom, were buildings and spires, homes and bridges. A metropolis carved from the dark stone of the mountain itself, no inch of it left unmarked or without some lovely, hideous artwork etched into it. Figures danced and fornicated; begged and revelled. Pillars were carved to look like curving vines of night-blooming flowers. Water ran throughout in little streams and rivers tapped from the heart of the mountain itself.

The Hewn City. A place of such terrible beauty that it was an effort to keep the wonder and dread off my face.
...
Mor led me down the avenue toward another set of stone gates, thrown open at the base of what looked to be a castle within the mountain. The official seat of the High Lord of the Night Court.

Great scaled black beasts were carved into those gates, all coiled together in a nest of claws and fangs, sleeping and fighting, some locked in an endless cycle of devouring each other. Between them flowed vines of jasmine and moonflowers. I could have sworn the beasts seemed to writhe in the silvery glow of the bobbing faelights throughout the mountain-city.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“...no one touched the food- the power and wealth lying in letting it go to waste.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“I felt it. Felt- him.

The very rock beneath my feet seemed to tremble- a pulsing steady beat.

His footsteps. As if the mountain shuddered at each touch.

Everyone in that room went still as death. As if petrified that their very breathing would draw the attention of the predator now strolling toward us.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“It was as if the base of the mountain had been hollowed out by some massive digging beast, leaving a pit descending into the dark heart of the world. Around that gaping hole, carved into the mountain itself, spiralled level after level of shelves and books and reading areas, leading into the inky black. From what I could see of the various levels as I drifted toward the carved stone railing overlooking the drop, the stacks shot far into the mountain itself, like the spokes of a mighty wheel.

And through it all, fluttering like moth's wings, the rustle of paper on parchment.

Silent, and yet alive. Awake and humming and restless, some many-limbed beast at constant work. I peered upward, finding more levels rising toward the House above. And lurking far below... Darkness.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“Rhys stepped up to my side. 'As High Lady, Feyre is no longer my emissary to the human world.' He gave Nesta a tentative smile. 'Want the job?'

Nesta's face yielded nothing, but I could have sworn some spark flared. 'Consider this meeting a trial basis. And I'll make you pay through the teeth for my services.'

Rhys sketched a bow. 'I would expect nothing less of an Archeron sister.' I poked him in the ribs, and he huffed a laugh. 'Welcome to the court,' he said to her. 'You're about to have one hell of a first day.'

And to my eternal shock, a smile tugged at Nesta's mouth.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin

“Varian. He didn't so much as look at his High lord, his focus going right to where Amren sat at the head of the table. As if he'd sensed she was here- or someone had reported. And he'd come running.

Amren's eyes flicked up from the Book as Varian halted. A coy smile covered her red lips.

There was still blood and dirt splattered on Varian's brown skin, coating his silver amour and close-cropped white hair. He didn't seem to notice or care as he strode for Amren.

And none of us dared to speak as Varian dropped to his knees before Amren's chair, took her shocked face in his broad hands, and kissed her soundly.”
― Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin