There is a better world out there. And I have seen it.” Even the Thirteen looked toward her now. “I have seen witch and human and Fae dwell together in peace. And it is not a weakness to do so, but a strength. I have met kings and queens whose love for their kingdoms, their peoples, is so great that the self is secondary. Whose love for their people is so strong that even in the face of unthinkable odds, they do the impossible.
You would be surprised by how closely the healing of physical wounds is tied to the healing of emotional ones.
We had contests to see who could write the dirtiest limericks while I was living with my father’s war-band by the border. I don’t particularly enjoy losing, so I took it upon myself to become good at them.
I would not be weak again. I would not be dependent on anyone else. I would never have to endure the touch of the Attor as it dragged me because I was too helpless to know where and how to hit. Never again.
I once lived in fear of other people. I let other people walk all over me just because I was too afraid of the consequences for refusing. I did not know how to refuse.
Everything hurts.” Falkan grimaced, rubbing at his leg. “Remind me never to do anything heroic again.
The power shall always belong to those who give their lives to the city.
The feeling that passed between them, so powerful there was no language to describe it... It was not mere friendship, but something born of and strengthened by it.
A protector – that’s who he was, and would always be. What I had wanted when I was cold and hard and joyless; what I had needed to melt the ice of bitter years on the cusp of starvation. I didn’t have the nerve to wonder what I wanted or needed now. Who I had become.
You and this city helped wake me up – helped bring me back to life.” His eyes flickered as I smiled up at him. “I will fight with everything I have, too, Rhys. Everything.” He.
I blinked at my mate. Then grinned, not bothering to hide the savagery within it. “Hybern has no idea about the hell that’s about to rain down upon them, do they.” “Here’s to family reunions,” was all Rhys said. Then.
I did not mind stepping out of the shadows, did not mind even being in the shadows to begin with, so long as he was with me. My friend through so many dangers – who had fought for me when no one else would, even myself.
What blinds an oracle, Bryce Quinlan?
Then I would have torn apart the world to get you back.
I’d endure every second of it over again so I could find you.
The music folded over itself like batter being poured from a bowl, one note atop another...
Do you lie awake at night to come up with all your witty replies for the following day?
I think Nesta feels everything – sees too much; sees and feels it all. And she burns with it. Keeping that wall up helps from being overwhelmed, from caring too greatly.
There are worse fates than death, you know.
Long live the queen.