Peaches and Honey: These Immortal Truths (The Peaches and Honey Duology Book 1)

by R. Raeta

Anna learned early that lies can be kinder than truths, and that some fates are crueler than death.

“There are many things worth fearing,” she says, meeting her eyes. “This is not one of them.”

“Time can heal, and it can break. Learning to recognize both will serve you well.”

If you don’t know how to live, his gift will become a curse.” Frowning, Anna looks up. “I’ve lived on my own for years.” “No, Child. You survived.” Her expression softens, mercy in her smile. “I will make sure you learn the difference.”

“What we want isn’t always what we need,”

“What have I been chosen for?” She pats the back of her hand. “To put some good back into the world.”

“Not everyone can be saved.”

you’re going to blame yourself for not predicting the future, at least do yourself the service of casting it on others for committing the same.”

“Death and suffering are two different matters.”

“They’re saying it’s punishment from God,” she murmurs, eyes lifting to meet Khiran’s. “Is it?” “Another one? I would have thought that excuse would have grown a bit tired by now.” A graceful hand gestures to the patient at her feet. “There is nothing divine here. Just another sickness. Give it time, Anna, and you’ll come to realize miracles and curses are usually just words people hide behind when they don’t know any better.”

I admire your heart, Anna, but there are limits to how much of it you can afford to give away before you break.”

The short breath of laughter he gives is heavy with disappointment. Chastising. “So you can suffer over things you can’t change?” He shakes his head. “No, Anna. I won’t bring you back. It’s time for you to move on.”

weak minds are always the last to change.

“So many people are suffering, dying excruciating deaths. How do you live with all their ghosts?” Khiran idly plays with a piece of grass, twisting and twirling it between his fingers. “One ghost becomes two. Then a dozen. Then hundreds. Eventually the faces blur together and the details of multiple atrocities merge into one looping nightmare.” He looks up at the sky. “And then I’ll discover places of beauty, enjoy food and art that fills me with a desire for more. Nightmares aren’t without end. At some point, you wake up.” Anna bites her lip, chest heaving around a sob she refuses to release. “I’d like to wake up now.” His stare is pitying. “I know.”

“It’s impossible to get close to someone without disliking them every now and then.”

Truths are for those who can afford to live it, not for those struggling to find any bright spot of light in a world that casts them into darkness.

If necessity is the mother of invention, Anna thinks desperation might be the father of change.

Nothing is immune to change, Anna. Not the mountains or the oceans. There is nothing more inevitable; nothing else that unites us so indiscriminately.”

Where they burn books, they will, in the end, burn human beings too,’”

She’s not sure what’s more horrifying: the thought that they’re too blinded by the regime’s propaganda to see the hate and prejudice behind it, or that they do and support it, anyway.