He’d wanted me to believe in his ruthlessness.
Then I remembered his words from so long ago: Make me your villain.

He leaned against the window, and the gilded frame came into sharp focus. “Do you think it would be any different with your tracker beside you? With that Lantsov pup?”
“Yes,” I said simply.
“Because you would be the strong one?”
“Because they’re better men than you.”
“You might make me a better man.”
“And you might make me a monster.

Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should have anticipated another betrayal from you, one more mad grasp at some kind of childish ideal. But I seem to be a victim of my own wishes where you are concerned.” His expression hardened. “What have you come here for, Alina?”

I answered him honestly. “I wanted to see you.”

I caught the briefest glimpse of surprise before his face shuttered again. “There are two thrones on that dais. You could see me any time you liked.

I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?

And there's nothing wrong with being a lizard either. Unless you were born to be a hawk.

I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.