More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Even if she felt he was telling the truth, it was his truth, not hers.
If he wanted to do anything awful to her, wouldn’t he have done it by now? Unless his kink is long-term mental manipulation.
It felt like there was some kind of guilt tied to her refusals, as though she didn’t want him troubling himself for her. All he wanted was to trouble himself for her. To demonstrate the lengths at which he yearned to trouble himself for her. To prove he could make her happy in all ways and instill in her a sense that he was essential to her life and her happiness. Indispensable.
there was something insidious about insecurity sown during youth. The roots were deep. They burrowed into young spongy bone and grew alongside their host, hardening and aging until there was no distinguishing between what was natural and what was planted.
“Every season has its purpose.”
“Does she have a name? Your goddess?” “Yes.” He smiled. “Her name is Aurora and Rhaego and mountain and stars and moon and tears and hope and death. She’s all things.”
“She eats planets and stars, you see. And she uses the dust to form us. If a drop of her sweat falls as she molds you, you’re born recognizing the connectedness of her creations. You’re born imbued.”
Whenever he started to believe that something was unfair, voices from his past played through his mind. Teachers, friends, the king—they reminded him that this was his lot in life and his only hope was to prove his goodness. To allow himself to be cut little by little in service to others until he’d bled enough to rid his insides of his blighted blood.
“I wouldn’t like to compare,” he said in a way that told her he’d already done so and often.
My opinion might not be worth much in this city, but I think you were blessed with a heart meant for love.”
“I like to work,” he offered. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Really? Or are you one of those people who only ever works, so when someone asks you what you like to do that’s the only thing you can remember so that’s the only answer you have?”
“May it come to pass only if hearts are willing.”
“I made that specially for you. I hope you like it.” And I hope you eat it and fall in love with me and admit your everlasting devotion.
He could not be unworthy. Because she was divine. And he was hers.
