Son of the Shadows (Sevenwaters, #2)

by Juliet Marillier

“The night can be very dark, but I’ll stay by you until the sun rises. These shadows cannot touch you while I am here. Soon we’ll see the first hint of gray in the sky, the color of a pigeon’s coat, then the smallest touch of the sun’s finger, and one bird will be bold enough to wake first and sing of tall trees and open skies and freedom. Then all will brighten and color will wash across the earth, and it will be a new day. I will stay with you until then.”

“I know the dangers. I am armed against them. Armed with love, Father. I do not seek to make these wounds vanish as if they had never been. I know he will always bear the scars. I cannot make his path grow broad and straight. It will always twist and turn and offer new difficulties. But I can take his hand and walk by his side.”

“Come, dear heart. Lean on me and let us walk this path together.”