Megan Whalen Turner, The Queen of Attolia

"If I am the pawn of the gods, it is because they know me so well, not because they make my mind up for me."

"I inherited this country when I was only a child, Nahuseresh. I have held it. I have fought down rebellious barons. I've fought Sounis to keep the land on this side of the mountains. I have killed men and watched them hang. I've seen them tortured to keep this country safe and mine. How did you think I did this if I was a fool with cow eyes for any handsome man with gold in his purse?"