The Queen of the Dawn (Shadows and Crowns #5)

by S.M. Gaither

But perhaps strength was not always about grabbing a sword and brandishing it tirelessly against monsters. Maybe, sometimes, it was standing amongst the rubble. Breathing it in. Being tired but still deciding to take another step, despite not knowing what awaited you on the other side.

“For that is the true, dual nature of love, isn’t it?” she said. “A terrible, wonderful force. Nothing can break things so completely. Nothing can heal things so fully. And Solatis and her magic have a duality about them as well—life itself is both a beautiful and a terrible thing.”