A Curse So Dark and Lonely

I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.

We are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose - just as a poor hand can win - but we must all play the cards the fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.

Failure isn't absolute, just because you couldn't save everyone doesn't mean you didn't save anyone.

The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.

Not all scars can be seen, my lady.

Words spoken in the dark in the middle of the night always feel so much heavier than they would at any other time.

When my sister died,” Freya says quietly, “it was very sudden. I had no time to say goodbye. But she knew I loved her. I knew she loved me. It is not the moment of passing that is most important. It is all the moments that come before.

Rhen,” she calls after me. I pause in the doorway and face her. “I’m not going to fall in love with you,” she says. Her words are not a surprise. I sigh. “You won’t be the first.

It [is] possible to be strong and yielding at the same time.

This early in the season, the other girls would sit by the hearth and gaze at me over crystal goblets, while I’d pour wine and tell stories with just enough devilishness to make them blush. If I put a crystal goblet in this one’s hand, she’d likely smash it and use the shards to cut me.

I didn’t realize it was possible to be strong and yielding at the same time.

I do not understand how she can fill me with such hope and fear simultaneously. I pull her hand to my chest and lean in to her, until we share breath. My lips brush across hers. It is barely a kiss, but she is somehow closer to me, her body a pool of warmth against mine. I want so desperately to turn it into more, to see where this blossoming attraction will lead.

It is not the moment of passing that is most important. It is all the moments that came before.

I can appreciate that he wants to do it himself, but I'm kind of done with prideful men

My father once said we are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose - just as a poor hand can win - but we must all play the cards fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.

You are merciful and kind. But kindness and mercy always find their limit, beyond which they turn to weakness and fear.

We all make mistakes. You slept with her without any intention of a relationship. Who cares? You’re not the first man to do it. And she’s not innocent! She sought you out because of who you are.” Her jaw is clenched. “I hope she does come here. I hope she comes to this room. Because I don’t care what I have to do. I’m going to end her.

Are you prepared to die, Grey?" I demand. "Because that is all that exists at the end of this path. I am sure of it. This was never a curse to be broken. This is a death sentence. The true curse has been the thought that we might find escape.

I was born this way and I'm going to die this way, so teach me to work around it.

Have you not figured it out yet? The curse torments us all.

She's not the type to swoon for pretty lies.

My left leg is clumsy and about to give way, but I mentally threaten to cut it off if it doesn't get me out of here. It listens.

I will not take from those who have nothing.

Never offer blindly, my lady. Not for your family. Not even for yourself.

You have an unusual definition of luck." She stiffens. "Spoken like someone who lives in a castle with an endless supply of food and wine, but calls himself cursed.

Our relationship seems to tick forward like the hands of a clock, always changing in relation to each other.

I’m not sure precisely what has changed between us, whether it’s trust or respect or simply the ability to see each other in a different light.

I stand and hold her until the music fades and the night grows too cold. But inside I'm warm, and my heart wants to sing.

Not all scars can be seen, My Lady