A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4)

by Sarah J. Maas

every Nesta out there— climb the mountain

I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you again in the next world—the next life. And we will have that time. I promise.

“The first time I saw that look on your face, you were still human. Still human, and I nearly went to my knees before you.”

“Your power is a song, and one I’ve waited a very, very long time to hear, Nesta.”

A conquering warrior-god. He had called her Lady Death, and he was her sword.

These tears mean you care. I am going to tell you that it is not too late, not for any of it. And I can’t tell you when, or how, but it will get better. What you feel, this guilt and pain and self-loathing—you will get through it. But only if you are willing to fight. Only if you are willing to face it, and embrace it, and walk through it, to emerge on the other side of it. And maybe you will still feel that tinge of pain, but there is another side. A better side.”

“Everyone deserves happiness. The road there isn’t easy. It is long, and hard, and often traveled utterly blind. But you keep going.” He nodded to the mountains, the lake. “Because you know the destination will be worthwhile.”

For it was music between their souls. Always had been. And his voice was her favorite melody.

“That’s the key, isn’t it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it … that’s the important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder.” She gestured to the stars zooming past. “The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see such things.”

Ataraxia, she had named that magic sword. Inner Peace.