I could hardly breathe. I clasped my hands against my chest to calm my heart and stared down at the beauty he’d created. Then I raised my eyes and it was my turn to smile. I couldn’t hold it in. I wanted to. I didn’t want to reveal my wonder and the thrill that coursed through my veins. But I couldn’t hold it in. So I smiled at him and did my best not to cry happy tears.
This adorable paragraph made me think about something. I’ve read quite a handful of fantasy books with female leads and romance lately. And I feel like I rarely see such genuine joy like this from the characters (esp the female lead) OUTSIDE of the romance. I mean I guess this is tangential to their budding relationship, but her happiness is tied to regaining some form of agency. I like this.
Edit: It’s the next day and I just reread this scene because it was just too wonderful.
